SAMS Ethics and Professional Conduct 2

Question 1

A SAMS member discovers during a survey that the vessel owner is a close personal friend. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Disclose the relationship to the client and withdraw if objectivity cannot be maintained

Answer

Complete the survey normally since friendship does not affect professional judgment

Answer

Perform the survey but provide a discounted fee as a courtesy

Answer

Ask the friend to leave the vessel during the inspection

Question 2

Under SAMS guidelines, which practice regarding survey fees is considered unethical?

Accepted Answer

Accepting a contingency fee based on the vessel's appraised value

Answer

Charging a flat rate for a defined scope of work

Answer

Billing hourly for time spent on the survey

Answer

Requiring a deposit before beginning the survey

Question 3

A surveyor is asked to certify that a vessel meets standards for a specific use that falls outside the surveyor's expertise. The correct response is to:

Accepted Answer

Decline and refer the client to a qualified specialist

Answer

Conduct the survey after reviewing relevant literature

Answer

Complete the survey with appropriate disclaimers

Answer

Subcontract the work without informing the client

Question 4

Which of the following best describes a SAMS member's obligation regarding continuing education?

Accepted Answer

Members must maintain and expand their knowledge to uphold competency standards

Answer

Education is optional and left entirely to the member's discretion

Answer

Only new members are required to complete training courses

Answer

Continuing education applies only to those seeking accreditation upgrades

Question 5

A SAMS surveyor is approached by a boat broker who offers a referral commission for each survey the surveyor recommends to the broker's clients. This arrangement is:

Accepted Answer

Unethical because it creates a conflict of interest regardless of disclosure

Answer

Acceptable if disclosed to the client in writing

Answer

Acceptable as standard industry practice

Answer

Acceptable only if the commission is under 10% of the survey fee

Question 6

When a SAMS member's survey report is used as the basis for litigation, the member's primary obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide objective, factual testimony consistent with the survey findings

Answer

Support the party who retained the original survey

Answer

Decline to participate to avoid legal liability

Answer

Revise the report if requested by the retaining attorney

Question 7

A vessel owner requests that a SAMS surveyor omit a significant deficiency from the written report to avoid affecting the sale price. The surveyor should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse and include all material deficiencies in the written report

Answer

Omit the deficiency if the owner signs a waiver

Answer

Include the deficiency only in a private verbal report to the buyer

Answer

Omit the deficiency if it does not affect seaworthiness