Business Details
21 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Marine Surveyors & NDT Experts in Southampton
Established in 2005 by Duncan Saunders and Hugo Morgan-Harris, Saunders Morgan Harris is an international surveying company specialising in technical consultancy for marine craft. With over 3000 instructions completed for private and industry clients, we combine traditional surveying expertise with advanced NDT techniques. Our principal surveyors hold Level 2 ultrasound and visual weld inspection qualifications, enabling precise damage assessments and new build inspections.We provide loss adjusting services, MCA code compliance surveys, and pre-purchase inspections for metal, timber, and composite vessels. Our team collaborates with structural engineers, naval architects, and welding specialists to deliver cost-effective solutions. Having completed over 500 metres of new build projects in the last five years, we maintain active membership in UK surveying organisations and stay at the forefront of industry practices.
Services
Marine Surveying
NDT Inspections
Loss Adjusting
New Build Projects
Pre-purchase Surveys
Insurance Surveys
MCA Code Compliance
Hull Inspections
Damage Assessments
Refit Supervision
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We have completed over 3000 surveying projects since 2005
- Our team holds Level 2 ultrasound inspection qualifications
- TWI Trained 3.0 Level 1 Visual Weld Inspectors
- Completed 500+ metres of new build projects in 5 years
- Work with specialist network including naval architects
Associations and certifications
- Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA)
- International Institute of Marine Surveyors (IIMS)
Services
Marine Surveying
Our marine surveying services cover condition assessments, valuation reports, and compliance checks for vessels of all sizes. We specialise in technical evaluations of metal, timber, and composite craft for insurance, purchase, or regulatory purposes. Our surveyors combine traditional methods with advanced technology to deliver accurate, actionable reports.
NDT Inspections
We provide ultrasound and thermal imaging inspections to detect hidden damage in composite, steel, and aluminium vessels. Our Level 2 qualified inspectors identify delamination, voids, and structural weaknesses without damaging the vessel. This technology supports accurate damage assessments and quality control for new builds and repairs.
Loss Adjusting
Specialist loss adjusting services for marine insurance claims involving collisions, grounding, fire, and structural failures. We assess damage extent, determine causation, and provide expert reports for underwriters. Our NDT expertise ensures accurate evaluations that inform repair cost estimates and claims settlements.
New Build Projects
Comprehensive oversight for custom and semi-production yacht builds, including specification review, periodic inspections, and pre-delivery checks. We monitor construction quality, verify compliance with classification standards, and assess stage payments. Our team supports owners and builders from initial design through to sea trials.
MCA Code Compliance
Certification services for commercial vessels up to 24m under MCA Code of Practice. We guide owners through the compliance process, conduct preliminary and final inspections, and verify stability and safety requirements. Our nominated surveyors facilitate code certification for workboats and passenger vessels.
People
Duncan Saunders
Co-Founder & Surveyor
Graduated in Ship Science (1992), 25+ years surveying experience, Level 2 ultrasound inspector, Fellow of YDSA, expert in NDT and expert witness work.
Hugo Morgan-Harris
Co-Founder & Surveyor
Qualified boatbuilder with 20+ years surveying experience, Level 2 NDT inspector, YDSA member since 2003, specialist in composite vessel inspections.
Alex Cory
Senior Surveyor
20 years yachting experience as captain/engineer, background in wooden and GRP boat building, extensive Mediterranean and Caribbean operational knowledge.
Questions
What types of vessels do you survey?
We inspect metal, timber, and composite vessels including superyachts, commercial workboats, racing yachts, and production motorboats up to 100m.
Are your surveyors qualified to MCA standards?
Yes, we're nominated YDSA surveyors for MCA Code compliance and hold TWI Level 1 Visual Weld Inspection and Level 2 ultrasound certifications.
Do you provide international survey services?
We operate globally with recent projects in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Adriatic. Our team can travel to any location for inspections.
What NDT equipment do you use?
We employ ultrasound for laminate thickness/damage assessment and thermal imaging for moisture detection in composite structures.
How quickly can you respond to claims?
We offer prompt response times for loss adjusting cases, typically mobilising within 24 hours for urgent marine insurance claims.
