QUALIFICATIONS
Jim Pritchard has a good engineering degree, and is a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects. He is also a member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying and is an affiliate member of the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association. He is authorised by the IIMS Certifying Authority to undertake examinations in connection with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Code of Practice for Small Commercial Vessels.

EXPERIENCE
Jim has been building and repairing boats since 1975 and surveying since 1992. By 2016 Jim Pritchard Associates had completed over 7000 surveys, which included nearly every type of sail and power boat - from the smallest coastal dayboat to composite ocean racing yachts and classic superyachts of up to 40 meters in length.

PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY
Jim Pritchard carries professional indemnity insurance cover to the maximum single claim value of £2,000,000. Jim Pritchard has never claimed on his professional indemnity insurance policy.

SURVEYOR
With many years experience representing the interests of both Purchaser and Vendor, the problems which may arise in the process of purchasing a vessel are fully understood. Jim Pritchard Associates are well placed to bring this process to a successful conclusion.

BOATBUILDER
Within his own boatbuilding company, Jim Pritchard built one-off ocean racing and cruising yachts in timber, G.R.P., steel and aluminium. He also built a wide range of commercial craft, employing a workforce of up to 50 tradesmen. Customers have included the Royal Navy, London River Police, Customs and Excise, Royal Marines and RNLI, as well as many similar home and overseas authorities and commercial operators.

LANGUAGES
Jim Pritchard speaks French and can resurect his German when required. He is also currently learning Spanish.

STRUCTURES
Jim Pritchard studied and applied structural engineering, before entering the marine industry. Having built several sailing and workboat catamarans and composite vessels, he is experienced with such structures and is familiar with the forces and stresses to which they are subjected.
With a detailed knowledge and experience of GRP and other composite structures, he has produced a large volume of fibreglass boat mouldings ranging up to 80ft length, with many to Lloyds Certification.

YACHT SERVICING & REPAIR
While building this wide range of yachts and boats, Jim Pritchard has also undertaken the repair, planned maintenance and refit of similar vessels. This has required a detailed understanding of all established boatbuilding materials and practices, and has enabled him to gain a wide experience of the repair and servicing of installed equipment.

REFIT & BUILDING PROJECTS
As well as servicing local club yachts, he has undertaken extensive refits on large timber, GRP and steel charter and private yachts, a recent example being a 1967 Bennetti of 190 tons, which has been fully refitted in Cowes to bring her to modern superyacht condition. He has also represented owners' interests by overseeing large and high value building projects.

EXPERT WITNESS
Jim Pritchard has frequently represented the interests of yacht owners, with expert advice supporting legal action.

YACHTSMAN
Jim Pritchard has been racing and cruising yachts and dinghies for most of his life and holds a Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. He owns a 34ft timber ocean cruising yacht, which he built in 1981. His other sporting interests include cross-country gliding and he remains a keen skier having worked many years ago on the Canadian Ski Patrol. JIm Pritchard is also a regular trail runner and has completed two marathons and several half marathons.