Terms of Service

BMS is a marketplace, not the surveyor

BMS is an online marketplace and intermediary that connects customers with independent marine surveyors. BMS does not itself perform surveys, inspections, audits or assessments, does not employ the surveyors listed, and is not a party to the survey engagement between a customer and a surveyor.

Each surveyor is an independent professional who is solely responsible for the survey services they provide, including their scope, conduct, findings and reports. The contract for the survey itself is formed directly between the customer and the surveyor.

Account eligibility and security

• You must be able to form a legally binding contract and use the platform for business or professional purposes.
• You agree to provide accurate information and keep it up to date, including, for surveyors, your credentials and qualifications.
• You are responsible for activity under your account and for keeping your login credentials secure. Notify us promptly of any unauthorised use.

Requests, quotes, bookings and payment

• Customers submit survey requests; eligible surveyors may respond with quotes setting out price, lead time and availability. Prices, fees and any platform charges are shown at booking.
• A booking is confirmed when the customer accepts a quote and completes any required payment step. The agreed scope, price and schedule are recorded on the booking.
• Payments are processed through our third-party payment provider. Invoices are issued through the platform.
• Cancellations, reschedules and refunds are governed by our Refund & Cancellation Policy, which you should review before booking.

Surveyor independence and responsibilities

• Surveyors warrant that they hold the credentials, qualifications, licences and insurance appropriate to the services they offer and that the information in their profile is accurate.
• Surveyors are responsible for performing services with reasonable professional skill and care, complying with applicable laws and standards, and delivering reports that reflect their independent professional judgement.
• Verification by BMS is a credibility check, not an endorsement or guarantee of any surveyor's work. See our Trust & Safety page.

Customer responsibilities

• Provide accurate vessel, location and scope information and any access, permissions or safety arrangements the surveyor needs to carry out the survey.
• Independently satisfy yourself as to a surveyor's suitability, credentials and insurance before booking.
• Pay the agreed amounts and cooperate in good faith with the surveyor and the schedule.

Acceptable use

You agree not to misuse the platform, including by attempting to circumvent fees, posting false or misleading information, infringing others' rights, uploading unlawful content, or interfering with the platform's security or operation. We may suspend or terminate accounts that breach these Terms.

Intellectual property

The platform, its software, design, trademarks and content are owned by ShipSmith Group or its licensors and are protected by law. We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable right to use the platform for its intended purpose.

You retain ownership of the content and documents you upload, and grant us a licence to host, process and display that content as needed to operate the platform and provide the service. Survey reports remain the work product of the surveyor, subject to the engagement between the customer and the surveyor.

Disclaimers and limitation of liability

The platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, BMS makes no warranty regarding the accuracy, completeness, quality, outcome or fitness of any survey, report or surveyor obtained through the platform.

BMS is not liable for the accuracy or outcome of any survey or report, or for any act, omission, advice or work of any surveyor. The surveyor is the professional of record and is responsible for the services they provide. Please also read our Disclaimer.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, BMS will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages, or for loss of profits, data or goodwill, arising from your use of the platform. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless BMS and ShipSmith Group from claims, losses and expenses arising from your use of the platform, your breach of these Terms, or, for surveyors, the services you provide to customers.

Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of India, and the courts of India have jurisdiction, without prejudice to any mandatory consumer-protection rights you may have in your country of residence.

Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Changes take effect when posted here with a revised "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the platform after changes means you accept the updated Terms.

Contact us

Questions about these Terms? Contact us at [email protected].