Author: Mike Wall
Published: August 2019
Report Writing for Professional Marine Engineers aims to transmit the methodology for properly formatted reports with technical information presented in an easily readable and understandable manner.
There are many types of report which the professional marine engineer may be asked to compile. This publication endeavours to cover many of the types of report which might be required.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 The many types of report
1.2 Receiving your assignment
1.3 Conformance
1.4 The purpose of a report - for whom are you writing the report
1.5 Information required and sources
1.6 Preparing for the surve
Chapter 2
THE BASIS OF THE REPORT
2.1 The report as a legal document
2.2 Discovery
2.3 Evidence
2.4 Protocols
2.5 Terms and Conditions of Service
2.6 Caveats and disclaimers
2.7 Professional Indemnity Insurance
2.8 Limiting liability
2.9 Copyright issues
Chapter 3
PREPARING FOR THE REPORT
3.1 Interviewing skills
3.2 Facts and opinions
3.3 Aide memoires and laptops
3.4 File management
3.5 Good written and spoken communication
3.6 Tone of the report
3.7 Terminology versus jargon
3.8 Multiple consultants
3.9 Delegating
3.10 Signing the report
3.11 References
Chapter 4
REPORT TYPES
4.1 Vessel inspections
4.2. Specific requests
4.3 Pro forma reports, eg, container surveys
4.4 Pre-purchase condition surveys (PPCS)
4.4.1 Pleasure craft surveys
4.5 P&I Club surveys
4.6 Machinery damage surveys
4.7 Hull damage surveys
4.8 Charterers’ inspections
4.8.1 RightShip inspections
4.8.2 Cargill Inspections
4.9 Cargo surveys
4.10 Container damage surveys
4.11 Collision damage reports
4.12 Specialised reports, eg, heavy lift, tow approvals, etc
4.13 Personal injury and accident investigations
4.14 Expert opinions
Chapter 5
WRITING THE REPORT
5.1 Structure
5.2 Abstracts and Executive Summaries
5.3 Table of Contents
5.4 Spelling and grammar
5.5 Some simple rules to follow
5.6 Active and passive writing
5.7 Voice recognition software
5.8 Report writing software
5.9 Typing
5.10 Typography
5.11 Typeface terminology
5.12 Tracking and kerning
5.13 The style sheet
5.14 Headlines
5.15 Numbering
5.16 Units
5.17 Use of brackets
5.18 Lists
5.19 Presentation and layout
5.20 Balance
5.21 Numerals and words
5.22 Date and time formats
5.23 Hooks
5.24 Colons and Semicolons
5.25 Lack of colour
5.26 Widows and orphans
5.27 Paragraph spacing and indentation
5.28 Diagrams
5.29 Photographs
5.30 Accurate descriptions
5.31 Use of spreadsheets
5.32 Notes
5.33 Appendices and Annexes
5.34 Binding the report
Chapter 6
TOUCH TYPING
Some useful references
Appendices
APPENDIX 1 Specimen Pre-purchase Condition Survey Report for a Merchant Vessel
APPENDIX 2 Specimen Pre-purchase Condition Survey Report for a Pleasure Craft
APPENDIX 3 Specimen Machinery Damage Report
APPENDIX 4 Specimen Hull Damage Survey Report
APPENDIX 5 Specimen Off-Hire Survey Report
APPENDIX 6 Specimen Collision Damage Survey Report
APPENDIX 7 Specimen Speed and Angle of Blow Assessment Report
APPENDIX 8 Specimen Tow Approval (Trip in Tow) Report
APPENDIX 9 Specimen Heavy Lift Survey Report
APPENDIX 10 Specimen Personal Injury Investigation Report
APPENDIX 11 Specimen Vessel Inspection Report
