Marine Survey & Consultancy

Your Vessel, Our Expertise

Professional Marine Surveys & Consultancy Across Queensland

ONWARD MARINE provides professional, independent marine surveys and vessel consultancy services across Queensland’s South East, including the Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, and Gold Coast regions. Available Australia-wide and internationally on request, we deliver trusted, factual reports that help vessel owners, buyers, and insurers make informed, confident decisions.

Independent, Impartial Marine Survey Reports

“I’m Dom O’Donnell, founder of ONWARD Marine Pty Ltd. After more than 20 years working internationally as a superyacht Captain and marine professional, I’ve brought that experience home to support Australian boat owners of all kinds. I combine hands-on vessel knowledge with a strong focus on safety, build quality and compliance. I provide independent, clear and practical survey reports to help you make confident decisions and enjoy peace of mind on the water.”

Every ONWARD MARINE survey is conducted with accuracy, transparency, and integrity. Our reports provide clear, objective findings—covering vessel condition, compliance, and safety—to support risk mitigation, valuation, and purchase confidence. Each report is formatted for easy reference, ensuring clients receive dependable, professional insight every time.

Trusted Expertise

Founded and operated by Dom O’Donnell, an IIMS-qualified marine surveyor and MCA Master 3000GT, ONWARD MARINE brings over 20+ years of global professional maritime experience. Dom’s background spans new-build projects, major refits, and Flag & Class compliance across shipyards in Europe, the USA, and the UAE—delivering a world-class standard of precision and professionalism.

Our Survey & Consultancy Services

  • Pre-Purchase Surveys

  • Insurance Condition & Valuation Surveys

  • Valuations and Customs

  • Commercial and Private Vessel Assessments

  • Refit and New-Build Consultancy

Why Choose ONWARD MARINE

We combine independence, expertise, and integrity to deliver reports you can rely on. ONWARD MARINE is committed to staying current with industry standards, regulations, and technology, ensuring every survey meets the highest level of accuracy and trustworthiness.

A large luxury yacht docked at a marina with other boats in the background, high-rise buildings, and a bright sun in the sky.
A marina with a boat being lifted out of the water by a large crane, adjacent to a building with signs for Volvo Penta and GCCM, under a clear blue sky.
A white motorboat is docked at a wooden pier in a marina, with calm water, rocky hill and multiple sailboats in the background on a clear day.
Large white yachts docked at a marina, tied to a wooden pier with colorful posts, with calm water and a clear sky in the background.
Luxury yachts docked in a marina with a hillside cityscape in the background at sunset
A white motorboat docked at a marina with multiple sailboats and yachts in the background.
A large yacht being lifted out of the water by a crane at a marina, with people walking along the pier.
Boats docked at a marina with a carousel on a pier in the background, in sepia tone.
Large yacht inside a shipyard with a hangar door open, other yachts nearby, and shipping containers on the ground.
A large white yacht being lifted by a crane onto a dock.
A large white yacht docked at a marina with multiple sailboats in the background. Three people are on the yacht's upper deck, and a red flag is flying at the stern. The sky is partly cloudy with a bright sunbeam.
A large ship inside a blue shipyard building, with part of its hull visible and a worker standing on the ground nearby dressed in blue coveralls.
A large luxury yacht docked at a marina, with scaffolding and construction materials around it, under a clear evening sky.
Several sailboats and a yacht docked at a marina under a clear blue sky with the sun shining brightly.
Multiple luxury yachts docked at a marina with mountainous terrain in the background under a blue sky.
Two men are on a dock with yachts. One man is on a smaller inflatable boat, and the other man is on the ladder of a large yacht. The yachts are docked with a coastline visible in the background on a sunny day.
Sunset over a marina with sailboats and yachts docked, reflecting on the water.
Two men in business attire standing at a podium during a presentation in a conference room. A large screen behind them displays a detailed cockpit or ship control panel with multiple screens and controls.
A sign that reads "RINA MAXIMA" with the slogan "Expand your yachting horizons." The sign features a graphic of a heart-shaped water trail with a small boat or submarine at the center, set against a blue background. The setting appears to be an outdo
A marina at sunset with several large yachts moored in the water, reflecting the warm colors of the sky.
A wooden sailboat docked at a marina with multiple other boats, featuring a cream-colored sail cover, ropes, and fenders, with cloudy sky above.
Sailboats docked in a marina at sunset with calm water and a cloudy sky.
A large sailboat on land with scaffolding around it, cloudy sky, and other boats nearby.
Several sailboats and a motorboat docked in a marina under a clear blue sky with the sun shining brightly.
A peaceful water scene at sunset with sailboats docked at a marina and a colorful orange sky.
A sailboat docked at a marina during sunset with buildings and a church in the background
Crowd gathered at a promotional booth for Antigua and Barbuda, featuring a performer in pink and yellow feathered costume. Staff members in blue shirts with "MYS STAFF" printed on the back oversee activities, with a woman preparing a drink at a count
Formula 1 race cars on a street circuit with barriers and spectators on the sidewalk, in an urban environment with buildings and scaffolding.
Balcony view overlooking a marina with numerous yachts and sailboats, surrounded by green trees and a modern curved apartment building, under a clear blue sky.
A Formula 1 race car crashing in the street circuit, with smoke and debris, during a race event with spectators, barriers, and sponsor banners.
A marina with boats docked, a dock crane labeled GCCM, American and nautical flags flying, and a clear blue sky.
View of a marina with boats and a building in the background under a clear blue sky.
Digital display screen on yellow wall showing seminar details: 'Waldorf, IIMS Brisbane Seminar, 17th & 18th,' with the Novotel Brisbane Airport logo at the bottom.
The image shows the helm of a boat or ship, including a steering wheel, navigational instruments, a GPS device, and various controls, with a view of a marina through the window.
Boat named 'Ambience' on a boat lift at a marina under a clear blue sky, with other boats and parking lot visible in the background.
A close-up of a boat's propeller and a rudder. The propeller is yellow and has three blades, while the rudder is black with reddish speckles, attached underneath the boat on a metal bracket.
A sleek, modern yacht sailing on open water with a man standing on the deck, looking out at the sea under a partly cloudy sky.
Icon of a clipboard with three checked items.

OUR SERVICES

Pre-Purchase Survey

A pre-purchase survey will provide the client with an independent evaluation of the condition of the vessel.

Ideally, ONWARD MARINE will look over the hull, exterior, interior, technical spaces, fuel system, electrical system, rigging (from deck level), records and more to determine the vessel’s safety, condition and potential value. In part, the report most likely will include recommendations of items found that the client can factor into their decision-making process of value for the vessel.

The survey should include a sea-trial and/or a haul-out. A sea-trial and haul-out is recommended. However, the client must be aware that both may be required by the mortgage/loan lender and insurance provider prior to purchase.

Should it be required, ONWARD MARINE can assist with attaining the services of Marine Engineer’s, Marine Electricians, Shipwrights, Riggers, Oil Analysis or other specialist equipment testing. The findings will be included in the survey report. It must be noted that these additional undertakings may arise as a necessity from findings during the initial non-intrusive survey carried out by ONWARD MARINE. Fee for the service will increase due to the nature of the work. This will be discussed and agreed to prior to any undertaking. 

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Vessel Inspection Report

A survey for insurance is a detailed inspection of the vessel. Also known as a Condition & Value report.

Standard procedure for these surveys may vary depending on the insurance underwriter. Their requirements could vary greatly. Factors that will affect the nature of this can include: age of the vessel, past incidents and/or damage, previous claims, discrepancies in the vessel's market value. The intensity of this will be discussed with the client prior to any undertaking of survey.

C&V Defined: The survey has two primary purposes: (1) to identify the vessel, its equipment, condition and general value, and (2) to identify defects, damages or hazardous conditions that pose a potential threat to the safety of the vessel and its passengers, or any other such condition that is likely to result in loss or damage.