Whether you are upgrading a commercial boat lift, building a seawall, or dredging a waterway, you need to hire a marine contractor that you can trust. Choosing the right company can make all the difference in the quality of your project and the results.
The specialized work performed by marine contractors exposes them to unique risks. Customized insurance programs can address these exposures. Visit https://yourmarinecontractor.com/ to learn more.
Marine Contractors specialize in building structures along the water’s edge, such as jetties, boat lifts, and seawalls. They also have technical knowledge of dealing with various aspects of the projects, such as designs, environmental factors, and other specialized structures. Choosing a contractor with this kind of experience will ensure that your project is completed correctly.
When choosing a Marine Contractor, it’s important to do your research to find the right company for your needs. Look for local listings, and ask friends, neighbors, and coworkers for recommendations. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, schedule an initial conversation or consultation with each one. This will give you a chance to see how well they work with you as a team and determine whether or not they are a good fit for your project.
It’s also a good idea to ask potential contractors for references. This will allow you to learn about the quality of their work and what their customers think about them. You should also ask about their work habits and how they approach their projects. Once you’ve gathered these details, you can choose the best Marine Contractor for your project.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Marine Contractors must meet the industry’s regulations. This includes working within the set standards for construction, monitoring air and water quality, and avoiding any disturbances to the habitats of sea animals. This is essential to avoid the destruction of plants and coral environments as well as the injury or death of marine animals.
The best way to find a reliable Marine Contractor is to ask for testimonials or references from past clients. This will give you a better understanding of the quality of their work and how they have performed in the past. Also, ask about the equipment they use for their work and how it might affect your property.
Marine Contractors are required to carry several insurance policies, including commercial general liability, business auto, and workers compensation. Some marine insurers offer packages that streamline the process of purchasing these coverages and eliminate overlaps in coverage. They also have experienced underwriters who understand the complexities of Marine Contractors and their unique exposures.
Licenses
When you need to hire a marine contractor for a dock or seawall project, you want to be sure that they have the necessary licenses and permits required to work on your job. This is because they will be operating heavy machinery and working in waterways, which can put them at a higher risk of accidents and injuries. You should also be sure to ask for references and testimonials so that you can make a well-informed decision.
If a marine contractor does not have the proper licensing, it may be illegal for them to perform work on your property. The Maryland Code, Environment Article, SS 17-301 states that a person must be licensed with the MCLB to “solicit or perform marine contractor services.” This includes dredging and filling; the construction, demolition, installation, alteration, repair or salvage of structures, including boathouses, boat or other personal watercraft lifts or ramps, slips, docks, floating platforms, moorings, piers, pier access structures, pilings, wetland observation platforms, wetland walkways and wharfs; and the construction, demolition, installation, alteration, or repair of stabilization and erosion control measures, such as revetments, breakwaters, bulkheads, groins, jetties, stone sills, marsh establishments, and beach nourishment.
Additionally, a marine contractor must have a commercial general liability policy that takes into account their specific exposures. This will ensure that the business has sufficient coverage in the event of a claim related to their work. They should also have a hull, protection and indemnity insurance policy to protect against damage to vessels that they are repairing or installing.
Whether you need to build a new dock or seawall in Tampa, FL or replace an existing one, it’s important to choose a marine contractor with experience. This will help ensure that your project is completed on time and within budget. In addition to their expertise, they will also have the proper equipment and tools to complete your project.
Before hiring a marine contractor, you should do your research to find out what type of work they specialize in. Ask about their years of experience and check out their customer reviews. It’s also a good idea to ask for references and testimonials so that they can prove their competence. You should also be sure to get a copy of their hull, protection and indemnity and commercial general liability insurance policies.
Insurance
Marine contractors face unique and sometimes dangerous risks when working on or around the water. From large-scale weather events to fire, losses from these exposures can shut down a business and sink profits faster than an anchor thrown overboard. With a customized insurance program, marine contractors can protect their assets from the perils that are unique to this industry.
While most commercial general liability policies exclude marine work, a marine contractor can obtain special coverage through specialty insurance providers. Inland marine equipment insurance is a specific type of insurance that provides broad coverage for tools, clothing and heavy equipment in the possession of a contractor, including those purchased, rented, leased or borrowed after the policy effective date. It can also provide protection against loss from theft, vandalism, or damage caused by accidents, fire, floods and other natural disasters.
Another important type of coverage is workers’ compensation. Injuries are not uncommon among employees of maritime businesses, and workers’ compensation insurance can help cover medical bills and lost wages. It can also shield businesses from expensive lawsuits.
Environmental insurance is another crucial coverage that can protect marine construction companies from financial losses incurred due to accidental pollution or environmental damage caused by a marine contractor’s work. For instance, a chemical spill could cause irreparable damage to the water and the plants and animals that depend on it. Without environmental insurance, a marine contractor would be responsible for covering clean-up costs and legal fees.
Additionally, many marine contractors can obtain a bumbershoot (marine umbrella) coverage, which is similar to a commercial umbrella policy, that provides excess liability protection over both marine and non-marine coverages, such as auto liability, general liability and employers’ liability. Bumbershoot coverage is an affordable option for many marine contractors who want additional liability protection.
Marine contractors can also purchase cargo insurance that covers the physical damage to the cargo while it is in transit. This is especially useful if a marine contractor works with volatile or dangerous goods, such as chemicals or raw materials. The policy will typically cover the cost to repair or replace the cargo and any lost income that resulted from its damage.
Customer Reviews
If you have a home or business next to the ocean, you need to build a seawall to prevent erosion. It’s not something you can do yourself, and it’s essential to hire a professional marine contractor to get the job done right. Choosing a marine contractor with a great reputation is the best way to ensure you get value for your money. To do this, you need to ask questions that will help you make the best decision.
One of the most important questions to ask is whether the marine contractor has any references or testimonials. You can then call these people and find out all about their experience with the company. If they were satisfied with the service and would use the company again, this is a good sign. You can also check the contractor’s website for any customer reviews or testimonials.
Another thing to look for in a marine construction company is their stability and reliability. Some companies are so focused on cutting costs to preserve their share value that they end up slashing safety, maintenance, personnel and insurance to keep their doors open until things pick up again. This is a very dangerous way to run a business, and it’s not good for you, either.
A stable and experienced team is crucial to the success of any marine contractor, and a long-tenured leadership team is often a good indicator of this. This will also let you know how committed they are to a lasting, strong relationship with their clients.
Marine contractors play a critical role in the smooth running of maritime operations worldwide. To do this, they must rely on new technologies to work smarter and become more sustainable. Having access to high-quality metocean data and state-of-the-art tools is essential. This is why Sinay offers a unique and cost-effective solution for this industry, which allows marine contractors to take action with the confidence that they’re working with the most relevant information.