Additional time and expense can be saved by having your vessel ready for inspection. After you have made arrangements with a boatyard for haul-out, thought should be taken on how best to prepare and present your boat for survey. The vessel should be clean and ship shape. Have all the ships papers, documents and certifications ready for viewing. All miscellaneous gear and personal items should be removed from lockers and storage areas so that access is unimpeded. The surveyor may find it necessary to request the boat owner to remove a ceiling panel, headliner or floor board in order to gain access to a suspected area. Any further intrusion may require written authorization from the owner to remove items that can potentially cause damage.