Maritime Appraisers
Maritime art and marine survey appraisers for vessels, navigation instruments, ship models, and nautical art — insurance and estate.
Browse all maritime appraisers →About maritime appraisers in our directory
Our directory currently lists a number of credentialed maritime appraisers across the United States, with the heaviest concentrations in multiple states. Of those, appraisers hold current USPAP certifications — the federally recognized standard required by courts, the IRS, and most insurance carriers. a subset meet the IRS qualified appraiser definition. These appraisers hold designations from one or more recognized professional societies: the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), or other specialty bodies. Our directory is built from professional appraiser registries, association directories, appraiser websites, and other public sources to help consumers find credentialed, experienced appraisers.
What does a maritime appraiser do?
A maritime appraiser provides professional, objective opinions of value for items in the maritime category. These opinions are documented in formal appraisal reports that meet the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) — the federally recognized benchmark for appraisal credibility. Credentialed appraisers hold designations from recognized professional societies such as the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), or the Appraisers Association of America (AAA).
Common use cases include estate settlement and probate (where the IRS or a court requires a qualified appraisal), charitable donation (IRS Form 8283 requires a “qualified appraiser” for donations over $5,000), insurance (to document replacement value for scheduling), and divorce (equitable-distribution proceedings often require court-defensible valuations).
How we verify maritime appraisers
Our directory is built from professional appraiser registries, association directories, appraiser websites, and other public sources. Credentials and filters are shown based on the source data available for each listing; confirm credentials directly with the issuing organization for high-stakes engagements.
Frequently asked questions
How many maritime appraisers are in your directory?
As of this writing, we list a growing number of credentialed, experienced maritime appraisers nationwide. We are actively adding more as we integrate additional public sources.
What credentials should a maritime appraiser have?
Look for designations from the ASA (American Society of Appraisers), ISA (International Society of Appraisers), or AAA (Appraisers Association of America). These organizations require testing, peer review, continuing education, and adherence to USPAP standards. For IRS Form 8283 purposes, the appraiser must also meet the IRS "qualified appraiser" definition under IRC §170(f)(11)(E). All appraisers in our directory are sourced from at least one recognized professional registry.
What is USPAP compliance and why does it matter?
USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) is the federally recognized code of ethics and performance standards for appraisers. A USPAP-compliant appraisal report is required by courts, the IRS, and most insurance carriers. Non-USPAP reports may be rejected for legal or tax purposes.
How much does a maritime appraisal cost?
Fees vary by complexity, location, and intended use. Estate and insurance appraisals typically range from $150 to $500 per item for straightforward pieces; complex or rare items may require hourly billing at $100–$300/hour. IRS donation appraisals for a single item often run $300–$600. Always get a written fee agreement before work begins — USPAP standards require the fee to be set in advance and not contingent on value.
Are any maritime appraisers IRS-qualified?
Some maritime appraisers in our directory meet the IRS "qualified appraiser" definition. Use the IRS-qualified filter on the listing page to find them.
Can a remote appraiser handle my item?
Some appraisers offer desktop or online appraisals using photographs and provenance documents, which is common for insurance or low-value estate items. However, IRS Form 8283 qualified appraisals generally require physical examination. Filter by "Remote OK" on the listing page.
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