Sorensen Maritime Seaworthiness Appraisal (SMSA)
Introduction
Most yachts are evaluated against rules. Very few are seriously evaluated for how they protect people when conditions deteriorate.
The Sorensen Maritime Seaworthiness Appraisal (SMSA) is an independent, owner-aligned appraisal of a yacht’s flooding tolerance, watertight integrity, passive damage resistance, and survivability margin—beyond classification agency compliance.
This is not a compliance audit. It is a judgment-based appraisal of inherent passive seaworthiness and human error tolerance.
Why owners seek SMSA
As yachts grow larger and more complex, design decisions increasingly trade flooding resistance for convenience—especially near the waterline and at the stern.
In many designs, survivability depends heavily on active vs. passive damage control measures:
correct closure discipline
immediate crew response
uninterrupted power and pumping
SMSA exists to give owners and family offices a realistic, independent view of how much flooding margin the design truly has when something goes wrong.
What we evaluate
Watertight integrity and progressive flooding
We examine subdivision, watertight boundaries, openings, penetrations, and likely progressive-flooding pathways.
Key question: Does flooding remain contained by fixed bulkheads—or does it progressively flood into adjacent spaces?
Aft architecture and downflooding vulnerability
Beach clubs, shell doors, and stern spaces are assessed as downflooding-critical areas. We evaluate closures, sill heights, drainage, and the consequences of water ingress under worsening conditions.
Key question: If water gets in here, how far can it travel—and how quickly?
Passive damage resistance vs crew dependence
We assess how much survivability is provided by structure and arrangement versus procedures, crew action, pumps, and power.
Key question: Does survivability depend on everything going right?
Stability margin under degradation
We look at degraded stability drivers (free-surface effect, off-center flooding, wind heeling moment versus residual righting energy) and how quickly stability margin erodes after initial damage or flooding.
Key question: After the first failure, is there still margin?
Fire resistance and emergency egress
We review fire boundaries and escape/egress logic in the same seaworthiness frame: time, redundancy, and error tolerance.
Key question: When conditions deteriorate, can people get out and stay safe?
What owners receive
A candid, plain-language appraisal written for the owner, not the yard
A clear description of design strengths and vulnerabilities
A failure-mode narrative: how adverse events can unfold and cascade
Practical recommendations prioritized by risk reduction and crew/ passenger safety, not convenience
Optional briefings for owner/family office and captain (private, controlled distribution)
Independence
SMSA is owner-aligned and independent of builders, brokers, designers, and classification interests. SMSA is not a certification, warranty, or compliance determination; it is a professional appraisal of relative seaworthiness characteristics and survivability margin.
Who this is for
Owners operating offshore or in real weather
Buyers evaluating a new build, brokerage purchase, or refit
Family offices and insurers seeking independent clarity on survivability margin
Captains who want objective support for conservative operating limits
Call to action
If you’re considering a new build, purchase, or refit and want an independent view of seaworthiness and survivability margin, contact Sorensen Maritime to discuss whether your yacht is a fit for SMSA.