LONG BEACH - Marine professionals--both commercial and yacht--and non-marine professionals interested in the marine appraisal profession may want to come aboard the legendary Queen Mary to attend the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) Marine Survey course on March 21-23, 2019. Permanently docked in Long Beach, CA, the RMS Queen Mary is a retired British ocean liner that sailed primarily on the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. Currently the opulent 1,109 foot, 81+K ton ship serves as a museum, hotel and restaurant venue.
Lead instructor Norman F. Laskay developed the comprehensive 24 credit hour Marine Survey course. An Accredited Senior Appraiser of commercial marine equipment, Laskay is active with the ASA's International Machinery and Technical Specialties Committee. Laskay is Of Counsel at Dufour, Laskay & Strouse, Inc., an organization of worldwide marine appraisers, surveyors and consultants.
In past years ASA's Marine Survey course has been conducted at various locations in the U.S., including in Norfolk, New Orleans and Boston--and overseas in Australia and Russia. This is the second time that the course was been offered aboard the Queen Mary.
"The course was written with all appraisers in mind," Laskay commented. "Some have taken it just to learn more about the marine industry, while others have had an interest in extending their appraisal practice into marine assets. And among the attendees are many from banks and leasing companies, along with marine surveyors who want to 'up their game' and learn how to perform Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and court approved appraisals."
"While much of the course is for the novice with little or no marine experience, the covering of the three approaches of value as the marine industry sees it, the sample problems, and report format is very helpful for the experienced marine surveyor. Also, the 'show and tell' section where we go over dozens of slides of marine assets, including construction phases, helps in the important task of asset identification. You can't decide on replacement cost or comparable sales if you don't understand what is comparable," he added.
American Society of Appraisers
The American Society of Appraisers is a world renowned and respected international organization devoted to the appraisal profession. As the oldest and only major appraisal organization representing all appraisal specialists, ASA is devoted to providing the highest possible standards in all areas of ethics, professionalism, education and designation criteria. For more information about the American Society of Appraisers, the ASA designation program for appraisers or the Society's free "Find an Appraiser" Referral System, call (800) 272-8258.
