Testimonials & References
Since founding MDSCi Ltd
“This is just a brief note to say thank you very much for doing such a thorough and conscientious survey of the Feeling 44 “Paikea” for me. It was very clear that you have extensive and in-depth knowledge when it comes to surveying yachts.
It was particularly useful to be able to discuss the boat with you during the survey and to also get a verbal report on the day, ahead of your very prompt written report, which was clear and comprehensive. It was very helpful to be given a prioritised jobs list for the boat and very refreshing to get a final bill that was pretty much exactly what you estimated it would be.
On the strength of your report, I went ahead with purchasing the boat and have since been very pleased with her. I have no hesitation in recommending your services to other prospective purchasers and I’ll make use of your services again if the need ever arises.”
Chris, buyer of 44 ft. GRP centreboard sailing yacht
“We recently engaged Steve Bates of MDSCi for a full prepurchase survey of our Ganley Pacemaker 41, and the experience was outstanding from beginning to end. We first contacted Steve early in the buying process, and he generously offered guidance and referrals as we worked through our options. He also took on the task of coordinating independent specialists to complete both a full mechanical inspection and an ultrasound assessment of the steel hull, which was an enormous help.
Steve’s meticulous attention to detail, clear communication, and comprehensive reporting gave us real confidence in the vessel and the decisions we needed to make. His practical advice was invaluable, and his professionalism and thoroughness stood out at every step. On top of that, he was simply a pleasure to work with. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Steve to anyone looking for a reliable, highly skilled marine surveyor.”
Karen, buyer of 41 ft. steel sailing yacht
“Steve helped me evaluate whether the boat was truly ready for a transpacific passage and high latitudes sailing.
When I started looking for a suitable boat, I eventually found one in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. I was traveling from the United States to purchase it, and I had about 60 days to prepare it for a transpacific passage toward Alaska, followed by a summer expedition in some of the most remote places in Alaska. Because of that timeline, I didn’t have the luxury of slowly discovering problems over time. I needed to understand the boat as completely as possible before deciding whether to buy it.
Many people hire a surveyor simply to check a box in the purchase process. I was looking for something quite different. I wanted someone who could really help me understand the boat — its condition, its strengths and weaknesses, and whether it could realistically support the kind of sailing I had in mind.
I chose Steve because of his unique combination of survey and design expertise. His website and our preliminary conversations made it clear that I would not receive a cookie-cutter report, but a very thorough analysis of the boat. It turned out to be a very good decision.
The survey was extremely detailed and very well organized. What I appreciated most was how clearly Steve explained everything he found, both during the survey and after delivering the report. He took the time to walk through the issues, explain what mattered most, what could reasonably be fixed, and the practical implications for operating the boat offshore.
Rather than performing the ultrasonic testing himself, he partnered with a firm specializing in ultrasonic inspection, which felt very professional. It was clear that the boat’s structural condition was being evaluated carefully and systematically.
Steve even worked over a long holiday weekend to deliver the report on time.
The survey uncovered more issues than I had expected, which is exactly the purpose of a good survey. A survey should give the buyer a chance to pause and reassess their decision; it should not simply validate the buyer’s desire to purchase a boat.
Throughout the process, Steve remained completely impartial. He never tried to influence the decision one way or another. Instead, he focused on making sure I fully understood what I was dealing with.
By the end of the process, I felt I had a much deeper understanding of the boat than I would have otherwise, which is exactly what I was hoping for. Beyond the purchase itself, I also feel I now have a collaborator who understands my boat and can help me think about future improvements.
If you’re looking for a surveyor with both exceptional technical expertise and a strong commitment to working with clients, Steve will not disappoint.”
Jean Peccoud, founder of Ice Frontiers LLC, international buyer of 53 ft. aluminium sailing yacht for high latitudes ventures:
https://icefrontiers.com/meet-rosemary/
“We engaged Steve to perform a pre-purchase survey on a Leopard 44 catamaran based in New Zealand that we were purchasing – we were located in Australia.
We were very pleased with the detailed survey report with photographs, findings and recommendations he provided, and the timeliness of delivering it. The seller willingly fixed the items noted in the report that we were most concerned about and also looped in Steve as repairs were being done. End result is we have a seaworthy floating home that we feel confident in sailing oceans with. Thank you Steve!”
Carolyn, international buyer of 44 ft. GRP sailing catamaran
“We approached Steve to do a survey on a 30ft yacht that we fell in love with. Fortunately, Steve found some major issues with it which would have cost us double the price of the boat if we hadn’t had it surveyed.
The second boat we got Steve to survey came back all good and we have peace of mind knowing it was surveyed to a high standard. We found Steve very good with his communication with us, and he also fitted in with getting the haul-out etc. organized for us in good time.
We are very pleased with Steve’s work and his professionalism in how he communicated with us so we could understand everything as we are just starting out in yachting. We totally recommend Steve for any surveying of a boat.”
Shane, buyer of 35 ft. GRP sailing yacht
“I commissioned Steve (on recommendation from a friend) to survey an old Huisman aluminium race boat that had been converted for extended cruising. He was meticulous in his inspection leaving no questions unanswered and found defects which I would have otherwise been unaware of. Without his expertise I very easily could have found myself ‘holding a grenade’. Money well spent.”
Doug, potential buyer of 42 ft. aluminium fin-keeled ex-racing sailing yacht
“Steve does a very thorough job of checking the boat and it is clear he has significant experience with alloy boats. I really valued the communication and cost sensitivity he showed, always offering to halt the survey in case of a red flag. He also gave valuable advice for buying the boat and what works are really necessary. Worth every penny.”
Quirin, International buyer of 42 ft. aluminium tandem centreboard sailing yacht
“Steve surveyed a 1979 Vindex launch we were keen on buying — it was listed as well maintained but Steve’s thorough inspection told a very different story. His detailed report gave us the confidence to walk away from what could have been a very expensive mistake. Can’t recommend him highly enough — money well spent!”
Thom, potential buyer of 27 ft. GRP sheathed plywood motor yacht / launch
“Overall, Steve made an excellent survey inspection and report for the aluminium sailboat I was about to buy. The communication was really good and he understood the scope of his mandate.
From the beginning of the survey he did look at the most important aspect of the boat, the hull condition from the inside. I was impressed he could find quickly the few spots where there were the deepest corrosion pits. I could complete a fair transaction with the seller after repairs were done. I now have the certitude I will be sailing on a safe boat, thanks to Steve’s good survey.”
Michael, international buyer of 43 ft. aluminium centreboard sailing yacht
“We engaged Steve to help us investigate an issue with the teak deck on our vessel. He conducted a thorough investigation of the deck, including a full history of the initial installation, materials and suppliers used, as well as a maintenance history.
Steve prepared a detailed and carefully considered report that gave us a full understanding of the issues and their potential causes. He then helped us to develop a remediation plan. We saw a lot of value in having this independent advice, and we appreciated the professional and open approach he took to engaging with both us and our contractors. We would happily recommend him to other vessel owners.”
Anthony, owner of 52 ft. aluminium sailing yacht
“Steve was tasked with giving Scotsman a pre-purchase survey, of which he performed admirably. After purchase we have not found any defects, and so Steve has done his job well.”
Brett, buyer of 50 ft. steel & aluminium motor yacht
“Just wanted to thank you for getting the insurance & valuation survey completed during a tight window of availability. Your professionalism and flexibility are greatly appreciated.”
Owner’s Rep in USA for 58m aluminium sailing superyacht, to Patton Marine and MDSCi
“Thank you, great job. She’s been back in service for a while with no more vibration, skipper says she’s like a new boat.”
Fullers Ferries New Zealand Maintenance Manager, after resolving a vibration and broken engine mounts problem that was keeping the vessel out of service
“Yes no news is good news, no grumbles from the crew, she’s running well now with no more problems”
Sealink New Zealand Engineering Manager after resolving various persistent engineering problems by design modifications on two Auckland vehicle ferries
“BoatSmart HQ used MDSCi to complete the pre-purchase survey onboard a Garcia 55 aluminium centreboard sailboat based in Sandspit Marina earlier this year. Steve with his background in steel andalloy vessels was the best man for the job.
He was onboard within days of requesting his services and went through the vessel meticulously. The survey report was very detailed and had many photos to coincide with anything noted. We would highly recommend Steve and will be using him in the future.”
Zach, Director of BoatSmart HQ (a boat maintenance management company), New Zealand
“Working with Steve was a great experience from start to finish. He has an incredible wealth of knowledge and solutions that will appease both Class and Flag, an indication of his involvement in numerous builds/refits.
He suggested several solutions for us, which coupled with a network of industry professionals, accurate calculations and detailed planning, made the approval/execution process quick and simple, saving the owner time and money. He proactively suggested areas he could assist to lighten our workload and was transparent about the charges for his consultancy. I look forward to working with Steve again soon.”
Shreda, Captain of 52m aluminium sailing superyacht, Mediterranean
“The drawings look good, very easy to read and great layout. The report also looks good, very thorough and with good information. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your work throughout the entire process of upgrading the fire system and returning it to service. To have someone onsite in Auckland who we can depend on and who does such a thorough job is a great asset. Your
efforts are greatly appreciated.”
Casey, Antelope Engineering Australia re. Chicken fryer Hi-Fog fire extinguishing system
“We commissioned MDSCi Ltd to design and supply a Class-approved fixed fire suppression system for a 493 GT vessel built in New Zealand under Lloyds SSC and Maritime NZ. Steve’s thorough attention to detail and meticulous planning resulted in a seamless installation and commissioning. We’ve since had him back on board to conduct the first annual survey and service, and will continue to call on his services in future.”
Andy, M.Y. The Beast Captain & Owner’s Rep, TB Marine, New Zealand
“It was a pleasure to work with MDSCi on a 26m passenger vessel project where we conducted Maritime New Zealand design approval of his systems drawings, it was refreshing to have a professional level of detail in the drawings and proper/correct support calculations. We have since contracted MDSCi for a variety of design, engineering and problem-solving jobs on Maritime NZ commercial vessels and
continue to do so.”
Lighthouse Naval Architects, New Zealand
“We have used MDSCi as a technical consultant on a number of projects. We have found Steve’s depth of knowledge, prompt attention and quick turn-around to be most helpful. It is very beneficial to have an independent review of system designs, general arrangements as well as design resolution for general personnel movements and enjoyment of the vessel by the guests. Additionally, for identifying & solving issues as they pertain to Classification Society rules and Flag State compliance, MDSCi is a valuable resource.”
Peter, MCM (Marine Construction Management), Large Yacht Owners’ Rep, USA
Before MDSCi Ltd:
“I worked with Steve both at Alloy Yachts (when he was systems design team leader), and at Rig-Pro Intl. (when he was the service designer for engineered repairs & upgrades for carbon fibre racing and super-yacht masts & other spars).
Steve was always an honest, meticulous, hard-working designer with remarkable attention to detail, and his understanding of client and rule requirements is second to none. He is always calm & collected even in stressful situations, and able to rationally explain his design solutions to contractors, rule authorities or customers.”
Greg Yeo, Alloy Yachts Project Manager and Rig-Pro New Zealand Manager
“I have worked with Steve for 4 1/2 years at Southern Spars and Rig-Pro on carbon composite yacht masts & other spars projects (new build design, quality assurance, maintenance and service including interpretation of ultrasound NDT reports).
Steve’s personal strengths include a strong emphasis on quality, carrying out work with a focus on detail and excellence but with the ability to produce work quickly and self-check as he proceeds.
He is very professional and communicates well with Managing Directors and shop floor staff to get the message across. Construction and technical issues were discussed effectively to produce good outcomes. His practical skills are very good, and along with a balanced grasp of theory and practice he is able to solve problems encountered in manufacturing to put good solutions on the table.
Steve is a person with high integrity and as such he treats all around him with respect. This results in a strong business relationship between employee and company, company and client, which in turn creates very good confidence in the complete process.”
Brian Jones, Seascape Associates (Composites design & consultation), New Zealand
“Many of our repair & upgrade projects require innovative thinking as well as considerable research into the historical files of materials and construction techniques.
Steve’s ability to ensure accuracy and timely delivery has always been excellent. He is a willing participant in group discussion and offers valuable input, always recognising the need to satisfy customer demand and putting in the extra time on projects as required. He works very capably autonomously or in a team, a good communicator who produces high quality instructions and drawings for our technicians or external contractors to work from.”
Sid Thompson, Rig-Pro Intl. Project Manager, New Zealand & Australia
“Steve is a diligent and details-oriented engineer. He worked in our design office in a role where he had essentially sole charge for some intricate composite and mechanical repairs & installations on carbon fibre racing & super-yacht masts & other spars of various sizes world-wide.
He was able to work effectively alongside composite and FEA design specialists, producing detailed production drawings for composite workers and machine shops. He also developed a constructive service feedback communication to the wider design team, and helped implement a number of important preventive measures as well as new processes to improve information management.”
Jarrad Wallace, Southern Spars Design Manager, New Zealand
“As when we worked together before at Alloy Yachts, Steve was cheerful, helpful, innovative, hard-working, responsible, and always focussed on quality work with meticulous attention to detail, which iscritical for safety and upholding our top international reputation.
He picked up the specialist composites design and calculation methods quickly and was soon handling most of the service design work independently, thus allowing our other designers to concentrate on the new projects. His pro-active service feedback initiative was particularly useful to the whole group, by establishing if the cause of breakage was design or manufacture related, and then coming up with a way to improve it to prevent recurrence.”
Russell Salmon, Southern Spars Design Manager, New Zealand
“We hired Steve a few weeks after securing a contract for the construction of a 50m luxury expedition motor yacht, to lead our in-house design team across all disciplines (Naval architecture & Structural, Mechanical & domestic systems, Electrical systems, Interior construction, and Interior/Exterior fit-out).
Through successful interviews and his strong personal network, he was able to successfully recruit a diverse range of skilled designers, bolstering our small initial team to a peak of 20 staff to meet the requirements of this challenging project. He showed great dedication to the task, working long hours to manage the team and provide direct technical support & mentorship to his staff, while also taking on
some design tasks himself where necessary to make the best use of his specialist expertise.
There were several areas of the project and the company operations where he was able to identify and deliver significant savings in labour and/or expenditure. He also played a direct key role in technical liaison with outside consultants, suppliers & authorities to ensure the efficient & effective execution of the project.”
Michael Eaglen, McMullen & Wing C.E.O, now EV Maritime Director, New Zealand
“I have worked with Steve on numerous large yacht projects for 11 years as the Lloyds Register surveyor. Steve has always researched the projects extensively and at all times I have found him to be diligent and innovative in finding the means to comply with the rules within the constraints of the design or alternatively contrive to employ a realistic and robust equivalent arrangement. It has been a pleasure
to work with him, unfailingly polite and professional, helpful, co-operative and organised with meticulous record-keeping.”
Alan Whiteley, Lloyds Register Surveyor, New Zealand
“Throughout Steve’s almost 20 years with us we found him to be a versatile, creative and conscientious person with unwavering integrity, and a cheerful pro-actively helpful approach. He has earned a reputation for excellent communication, a flair for design & innovation, and generally can be relied on to take responsibility, produce quality work, and solve all manner of problems. He has also proven to be an effective team leader, liked & respected by most of the staff, and particularly helpful in solving warranty or service issues on many of our yachts abroad.”
Tony Hambrook, Alloy Yachts International Managing Director, New Zealand
“I have always found Steve to be a naturally helpful, hard-working and responsible individual with a talent for design, problem-solving and communication. I could always trust his commitment to quality work and excellent attention to detail. He was also an effective leader, always understanding the importance of the total team output, patiently training and assisting his staff through the concept stages and following through with rigorous detail review to continually raise individuals’ work standards. He was always very helpful to production supervisors & trades staff, generally well liked and respected throughout the company, and developed excellent relationships with customers, rule authorities, suppliers & contractors.”
Russell Salmon, Alloy Yachts Engineering Design Manager / Engineering Manager, New Zealand
“As a Lloyds Register surveyor I have worked alongside Steve on large yacht projects for 8 years, during which I have found him to have a thorough understanding of the relevant Classification & Statutory rules, while also continually refining the design submissions which has enabled the approval & survey of these vessels to become relatively straightforward. In addition, he has produced many unique and creative solutions to demonstrate equivalency where the demands of the owner or designer have made direct compliance difficult. These are typically found to address all concerns and provide robust designs with high levels of equivalent safety.”
Anderson Chaplow, Lloyds Register Surveyor, New Zealand
“I have found Steve to be highly professional, focussed, and results driven for the yard and clients. He is particularly exacting in his interrogation of the rules and seeking solutions to achieve the often difficult task of obtaining compliance in conjunction with a practical & pleasing outcome for the client.”
Bruce Maroc, Lloyds Register New Zealand Manager
“Over a period of 12 years I have worked with Steve through a number of large yacht projects as the Owner’s Representative. Having dealt with engineering & systems designers at various shipyards around the world, it quickly became apparent that Steve was one of the best.
His attention to detail, integrity, honesty and diligence were always on display, and his profound understanding of the systems that are a fundamental part of today’s super-yachts was truly impressive. One essential aspect of his design ethics was that he didn’t just focus on getting the boat through successful sea trials, but would also take care to provide access for maintenance or replacement of equipment many years later, issues which many yards have been known to skirt.
His knowledge of the rules is extraordinary, and moreover, where we needed to seek a variance from the rules, Steve had the respect of those at the Classification societies and was in many cases able to guide them towards a way to achieve the same or sometimes better result.”
Peter Wilson, MCM, Large Yacht Management & Owners’ Rep, Newport RI, USA
“For nearly 8 years of design and yacht services management responsibility over a wide range of repairs, refits, conversions, restorations and new build projects (power and sail, yachts and commercial / government vessels), we have consistently found Steve to be honest & trustworthy, hard-working, innovative, and meticulous. He demonstrates a total dedication to every contract, with a strong
commitment to achieving high standards of design & workmanship, to meeting deadlines and to improving profitability.”
George McGruer & Dennis Davidson, Managing & Technical Directors, McGruer & Co, Clyde Estuary, Western Scotland
“Dear Steve, I have received your extensive documentation today from Gibraltar. I wish to express my compliments for the quantity and quality of your work. I am really impressed and will come back to you with decisions after reviewing the proposals.”
Harald Hochman, European client, Wooden motor yacht refit & custom conversions, Scotland
“I have been very pleased with the service and support that Steve has given me. He is no mean sailor, and yacht designer in his own right, with that priceless asset of plenty of hands-on experience with everything from small repairs to complex engineering problems. He is dedicated, hard-working and enthusiastic, dealing with all my requests whether large or small, following on to successful sailing trials
plus racing and cruising on board with us or enjoying the use of the yacht himself at my express invitation.”
Major David Walter, UK client, GRP racing yacht refit & conversion, Scotland