System and method for assessing condition and assigning value to watercraft

• US 20080201161A1
• Filed: 12/13/2007
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Marine RISK Evaluation Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Marine RISK Evaluation Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Kearns, Patricia L., Rogers, Christian L.
• Application Number:
  US11/955,946
• Publication Number:
  US 20080201161A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method for evaluating watercraft, particularly from a remote location. The system includes an evaluation server that receives requests to evaluate a boat from clients. Upon receipt of an evaluation request, the evaluation server submits a request to the client to provide detailed information regarding the boat to be evaluated via a particular website. Once the client has submitted the requested information, the evaluation server notifies a marine surveyor of the report and requests that the surveyor provide comments and cite safety regulations relevant to the boat being inspected. Upon receipt of the surveyor'"'"'s comments and citations, the evaluation server assembles all gathered information and provides a report to the client or a designated representative.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of evaluating watercraft, comprising:

receiving, via a designated website, a request to evaluate a watercraft;

transmitting a request to a client to complete a preliminary evaluation report, the client being the owner of the watercraft or an authorized representative;

upon receipt of a completed preliminary inspection report, requesting a review of the report by a pre-certified watercraft surveyor; and

generating an evaluation report.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting a request to the client to complete a preliminary inspection report comprises:

providing instructions for accessing a designated website, the website providing a plurality of questions related to the condition of the watercraft.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein request for a preliminary inspection report is submitted via email.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the request to evaluate includes an identification of the watercraft to be evaluated and contact information for the owner of the boat or an authorized representative.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein requesting review by a pre-certified watercraft surveyor comprises:

choosing a pre-certified surveyor; and

providing instructions to the chosen surveyor to access the preliminary inspection report via a designated website.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the review by the surveyor comprises citations to rules applicable to the watercraft being evaluated.

7. A computer-implemented system for evaluating watercraft comprising:

an evaluation server for receiving and processing requests to evaluate a watercraft;

a standards database for storing and maintaining rules and standards related to the evaluation of watercraft; and

a results database for storing data collected and compiled in order to complete an evaluation report.

8. The computer-implemented system of claim 7, wherein the evaluation server comprises:

a user interface module for providing a plurality of forms for facilitating the creation of the evaluation report; and

a processing module for compiling data received from a plurality of sources used to evaluate the watercraft.

9. The computer-implemented system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sources include the owner of the watercraft being evaluated and a certified watercraft surveyor.

10. The computer-implemented system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of forms include an initial entry form for choosing whether to request an evaluation report, respond to a request to complete a preliminary inspection report, complete a surveyor review, or retrieve a complete evaluation report.

11. The computer-implemented system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of forms includes a data entry form, the data entry form comprising:

a plurality of fields for entering contact information associated with a requester of an evaluation report;

a plurality of fields for entering contact information associated with the owner of the watercraft to be evaluated; and

a field for selecting a type of evaluation report to be prepared.

12. The computer-implemented system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of forms includes a preliminary inspection form comprising:

a field for identifying the marine boat for which the preliminary inspection is being performed;

a plurality of questions fields providing questions related to the watercraft being inspected; and

one or more fields for entering pictures or video images of the watercraft being evaluated.

13. The computer-implemented system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of forms includes a surveyor questionnaire comprising:

a field for identifying the watercraft for which the survey is being completed; and

a plurality of fields for selecting one or more rules or standards associated with the watercraft being evaluated.