Maritime Expert Witnesses

Maritime, Slip Trip & Fall - boat, boating, ship, yachts, seaworthiness, captain, crew responsibilities, marine electronics, navigation, equipment failure, vessel collision, damage, sinking, drowning, vessel operations, safety, sport fishing, charter boat, jet ski, kayak, SUP, surfboard, marina safety, marina operations

Captain David G. Bacon, a U.S. Coast Guard licensed vessel captain, is available as an expert witness on cases involving; boating accidents, slip & falls, personal injuries, issues of responsibilities and liabilities aboard vessels and on gangways and docks and piers, drowning and vessel grounding or sinking. Passenger interaction and education is an area where many liabilities are generated and I can help with those issues. I have served as a vessel charter captain for 30 years, specializing in; crew training, safety procedures, crew drills and practice, passenger safety orientation, boating accidents, slip & fall, seaworthiness, marine electronics, navigation and rules of the road, expert report writer and public speaker. During that lengthy career I have had no accident or injury claims because I am a diligent seafaring professional and I know what dangers to look for and remedy before they cause problems. I drove passenger buses and vans for 2 years with no accidents nor inj...

Industrial Hygiene, Maritime - asbestos, U.S. Navy, asbestos insulation, asbestos gaskets, exposure assessment, boiler plant safety, steam plant safety, mathematical modeling

Experience with chemical exposures to United States Navy personnel who worked with aircraft, in shipyards, or on-board U.S. Navy ships, at sea, including during repair and overhaul. United States Navy active-duty Industrial Hygiene Officer 1986-2007. Familiar with U.S. Navy regulations for health and safety. Specialized training with U.S. Navy and U.S. Army to assist personnel deployed to combat areas with potential chemical exposures to toxic industrial chemicals (TICS), toxic industrial materials (TIMS) and Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) weapons of mass destruction. Director of Industrial Hygiene for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center 2003-2007. Senior Industrial Hygienist for Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard 2007-2013 assisting Los Angeles (688) class nuclear submarines. Experience with asbestos removal, asbestos air sampling, asbestos identification, and counting of asbestos fibers. Trained in asbestos identification and ...

Maritime - Maritime Casualties, Personal Injury, Root Cause Analysis, Ship-handling, Sailing yachts, Motor yachts, Charter contracts & disputes, Sail Racing Rules, Jones Act, Dis-masting, Capsizing, Sinking, Collisions, Yacht Design & Engineering, Boatyard repairs, Insurance disputes, Cruise ships.

Merchant Marine Officer, Master Mariner, Near Coastal Inspected Passenger Vessels, Steam Motor & Sail for 34 years. STCW 95 and Radar Observer Unlimited, Navigation, Safety Regulations, Shipboard Safety/Security, Deck Seamanship, Rules of the Road, Experienced Towing & Rescue of Yachts and Small Craft. Maritime Smuggling. Naval Architect-Marine Engineer, Full Member SNAME 40 years, Expert on Diesel failure analysis, Experienced Engine Rebuilder, Engine replacements, Electrical Propulsion Controllers, Solar Panels & controllers, High voltage storage batteries, Diesel generators & Inverters, 12VDC, through 96VDC. 125VAC & 240 VAC. Expert on all shipboard mechanical systems, fuel oil, lube oil, fire protection, all piping and pumping, HVAC, • Chairman, SNAME Motor Craft & Service Craft Panel (SC-4) Small Craft Technical & Research Committee (Since 2006). • Principal National Fire Protection Association-NFPA Motor Craft Committee (2011), • Member of five American Boat and Yacht Coun...

Maritime - Longshore Industry, Maritime Labor Consulting, Stevedore, Longshoremen, Collective Bargaining Agreements, Longshore Workers, Longshore Jobs, Labor Relations

Richard Marzano has spent over 25 years in the longshore/maritime industry, working in both marine terminal operations and labor management, becoming a West Coast longshore expert. With nearly 15 years in labor relations, bargaining with the ILWU and administering the ILWU-PMA Agreement(s), Mr. Marzano has in-depth knowledge of ILWU/West Coast longshore hiring and employment practices and processes, working and dispatch rules, benefits administration, the ILWU-PMA grievance procedure, the ILWU-PMA reasonable accommodation process (re. the Americans with Disabilities Act) and its application on US West Coast ports.

Maritime, Accident Reconstruction - Seamanship, Sailing Yachts, Motor Yachts, USCG Navigation Rules, Bareboat Charter contracts and disputes, Racing Rules of Sailing, Jones Act, Injuries, Accidents, Dismastings, Sinkings, Collisions, Allisions, Navigation, Engineering, Boatyard and Insurance Company repairs and disputes.

Professional Sailor since 1989. USCG Licensed Captain since 1990. World Sailing Group 3 (professional) Competitor since 2004. (retired) US Sailing Offshore Safety at Sea certification 2004-Present ASA certified Advanced Sailing Instructor 1992-Present ASA certified Coastal Navigation Instructor 1991-Present ASA certified Bareboat Chartering Instructor 1991-Present US Powerboating certified Advanced Powerboating Instructor since 2010. (retired) RBPA certified Twin Inboard Powerboating Instructor 2009-Present RPBA certified Single Inboard Powerboating Instructor 2009-Present RPBA certified Directed Thrust Powerboating Instructor 2009-Present Owner Offshore Nautical LLC. Seamanship/Maritime Consultation. Established 2008 Owner Privateer Maritime Inc, San Diego Sailing Academy and San Diego Powerboating Academy established 1989. I retired from on the water instruction in December 2021. I am an expert in seamanship, navigation, boathandling, docking, anchoring, mooring, and man overb...

Failure Analysis, Metallurgy - Automobile, Aviation & Aerospace, Motorcycle,Appliance, Engineering, Construction, Construction Defects, Corrosion, Maritime, Equipment & Machinery, Mining, Bicycles, Transportation, Medical Devices, Manufacturing, Plumbing, Products Liability, Fire, Electricity, Pipe, HVAC, CPVC, Oil & Gas, Welding

Joseph Quinn, MS, PE, is a Forensic Metallurgy and Metallurgical Engineering consultant. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Metallurgical Engineering and is registered in 7 states (CA, PA, UT, NV, AZ, CO, WA). He has provided over 1,000 Failure Analysis investigations on metallic and non-metallic (glass, plastic, rubber, and composite) materials or products. Mr. Quinn provides metallurgical and materials consultation, expert witness testimony, and forensic failure analysis for civil litigation with retentions by defendants and plaintiffs. He has received awards in the International Metallographic Contest and has conducted several presentations on metallurgical engineering and failure analysis subjects at universities, ASM meetings, and industry events. He is President of the National Society of Professional Engineers in California (NSPE-CA) and is active in several technical societies. He has taught metallurgical engineering course topics in Principals and Applications of ...

Maritime, Appraisal & Valuation - Marine Surveyor,Tug and Barge,Pilot Boats,Ferryboat,Jones Act Injuries,Commercial Marine Damage,Yacht Damage,Marine Machinery and Systems,Hull and Machinery Damage,Marine Accident Reconstruction,Yacht Appraisal,Commercial Marine Appraisal, Appraisal Review,Dredging,Dredge Operations,Dredging Permits

Dana R. Teicheira has conducted Casualty Investigations including collision, machinery failure, fire, and crew/passenger injuries for Marine Underwriters and attorneys and Risk Evaluations for Marine Underwriters. He has appraised multiple commercial and pleasure vessels over the years. Mr. Teicheira is a 1980 graduate of California Maritime Academy and holds an unlimited tonnage Third Mate Oceans license, a 1600 ton Master of Oceans license and a Master of Towing Vessel's license. He has sea going experience on cargo ships, survey/research vessels, tugs and barges (sea going and inland) and king crab fishing vessels. He has worked as a dredge master on aggregate dredges. Mr. Teicheira has worked as a marine surveyor since 1991 and is a Certified Marine Surveyor through the National Association of Marine Surveyors, and an Accredited Senior Appraiser through the American Society of Appraisers. Over the years Mr. Teicheira has handled a total of 43 expert witness cases, 18 for Plai...

Maritime, Safety - Oil tanker, Chemical tanker, Container ship, Bulk Carrier, General Cargo vessel, Loss Control, Accident investigation, Incident investigation, Regulatory violation, Regulatory issue, Cargo contamination, Safety issues, Stability issues, First Responder, Training, Vessel management, Personal injury.

Master Mariner Unlimited Tonnage, Liaison to USCG for emergency response to capsized liftboat SEACOR POWER, Safety Officer for salvage of car carrier MV GOLDEN RAY, OCIMF SIRE Inspector Category 1, Tanker Management Self Assessment 3 (TMSA3) Solutions, Marine Safety Advisor for Petroleum Load and Discharge Operations, Expert witness for maritime litigation, Safety Assessments / ISM Audits for Commercial and U.S. Military Sealift Command vessels, 20+ year’s in command of 15 ships, including tankers, Ro-Ro / Container, and break bulk. Vessel superintendent for Oil / Chemical Tank vessels, STCW certified instructor / assessor, Simulator Training Instructor, USCG Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee Member, ISM Safety, Quality management system development and fleet safety assessments, Development and implementation of multi-agency law enforcement training exercises, Emergency / Incident Response, Training in: HAZMAT, Shipyard Competent Person, Advanced Fire Fighting, Fast Rescue ...

Maritime, Accident Reconstruction - Admiralty Law, Marine & Maritime Incident Analysis & Accident Reconstruction, AZIPOD Ships, Podded Ships, Commercial Vessel, Passenger, Cruise Ship, Tug, Barge, Towing, Pilot, Piloting, Navigation, Seamanship, Rules of the Road, Boating Safety, Boating Accident, Yacht, Pleasure Craft, Container Ship

After attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Captain Jacobsen served as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine for nine years. He sailed in many positions, attained his master’s license, and has been a Port of Miami harbor pilot since 1994, including serving as Chairman. He has piloted yachts, tugs & barges, and ships of all types and sizes including Azipod ships, podded ships, freighters, tankers, container ships, ferries, cruise ships, passenger vessels, naval vessels, research vessels, and tall ships. Active in boating and yachting all of his life, Captain Jacobsen is a member of a yacht club in Miami where he serves on various committees. Captain Jacobsen remains an active pilot and avid boater to this day. Harbor Pilot: actively providing State & Federal licensed pilotage services to all types of ships, including Azipod ships, cruise ships, NeoPanamax container ships, tugs & barges, yachts, and other vessels of unlimited size and tonnage in Port of Miami. Have co...

Maritime, Accident Reconstruction - Boat repairs and reconstruction including Wood steel, Aluminum, Fiberglass, and composites. Accident investigation including work for USCG as well as Florida and Louisianna Marine Patrols, Electrical fires, sinkings. Collision repairs as well as investigation. Engine Damage

(1) Numerous experiences as a certified expert witness in the Marine Field in the past 38 years, including Diminished Valuation, Accident Reconstruction, Vessel collisions, Sinking’s, Fire Reconstruction, Injury and Death, Cruise ships Accidents, Jones Act investigations, and noncompliance, Boat Construction, and repair and Quality Control, Marine Engines, and Installations, Testifying in the United States, Great Britain, BVIs, Mexico, Spain, Puerto Rico, France, Poland, and Greece. (2) Experience with Docks (loading and unloading), Boatyards, and Marinas and Marina Dockage, Boat Construction, Repair, Quality Control, Boat, and Ship Construction, as well as Management of New Construction and Repair. (3) Experienced boat builder Ocean Horse Label (before HIN’s) 178FRP Commercial boats, 3 Steel, 3 Aluminum, 7 Wood, 8 sail 5 FRP and 3 Steel, and from 2007 on under the AMS HIN Experienced and licensed operator (Master since 1963). (4) Experienced Marine Engineer License 4000 Horsepower ...

Maritime, Appraisal & Valuation - Boats marine survey, yachts accidents, yachts fire, yachts marine survey, boats accidents, boats fire, shipyard billing, marine contracts, boat insurance disputes, yacht insurance disputes, boatyard billing, yacht appraisal, boat appraisal, Admiralty

Henry Pickersgill has decades of marine survey experience, especially with yachts, both power and sail. His survey work involves classic sailing yachts to high-tech sportsfisherman to motor yachts. He is megayacht experienced and has international survey experience leading survey teams in Europe and the Caribbean. He is a Certified Marine Surveyor (CMS) by the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMSGlobal) and certified as a Marine Engineer (SNAME) by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. Mr. Pickersgill's marine survey experience includes pre-purchase, damage claims, yacht/boatyard service/repair/restoration disputes, insurance disputes, voyage, new construction, accident investigations and expert witness/trial work.

Maritime, Accident Reconstruction - Admiralty, Marine & Maritime Incident Analysis & Accident Reconstruction, Commercial Vessel, Passenger, Cruise Ship, Tug, Barge, Towing, Pilot, Piloting, Navigation, Seamanship, Rules of the Road, Boating Safety, Boating Accident, Yacht, Pleasure Craft, Sailboat, Sailing, Jet Ski & PWC

Captain Timmel began his professional career after attending New York Maritime College serving as an officer in the US Merchant Marines for seven years. He sailed in many different positions, attained his Master’s license, and has been a Tampa Bay harbor pilot since 1989, including serving as President. He has made over 6,500 transits piloting yachts, tugs & barges, and ships of all types and sizes including freighters, tankers, container ships, ferries, cruise and passenger vessels, naval vessels, research vessels, and tall ships. Captain Timmel has taught as an Adjunct Professor at New York Maritime College teaching shiphandling, piloting, watchstanding practices, and seamanship to cadets aboard their training ship, the T/S EMPIRE STATE VI, during Summer Sea Terms. Active in boating and yachting all of his life, Captain Timmel served as Youth Sailing Director, Fleet Captain, Governor, and Commodore of the Tampa Yacht Club and is serving as a Director, Gulf Coast Fleet Captain &...

Industrial Hygiene, Maritime - asbestos, U.S. Navy, asbestos insulation, asbestos gaskets, exposure assessment, boiler plant safety, steam plant safety, mathematical modeling

Experience with chemical exposures to United States Navy personnel who worked with aircraft, in shipyards, or on-board U.S. Navy ships, at sea, including during repair and overhaul. United States Navy active-duty Industrial Hygiene Officer 1986-2007. Familiar with U.S. Navy regulations for health and safety. Specialized training with U.S. Navy and U.S. Army to assist personnel deployed to combat areas with potential chemical exposures to toxic industrial chemicals (TICS), toxic industrial materials (TIMS) and Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) weapons of mass destruction. Director of Industrial Hygiene for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center 2003-2007. Senior Industrial Hygienist for Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard 2007-2013 assisting Los Angeles (688) class nuclear submarines. Experience with asbestos removal, asbestos air sampling, asbestos identification, and counting of asbestos fibers. Trained in asbestos identification and ...

Maritime, Fire - Maritime / Marine Casualties, Admiralty, Maritime / Marine Collisions, Allisions, and/or Groundings, Marine fire / Marine fires / Marine Firefighting, Towing, Navigation Law, Underway Replenishment , Maritime Accident Investigations / Analysis / Consultation, Cargo Claims, Seaman Claims

CAPT Sean P. Tortora, M.S., U.S.M.S., is a Master Mariner with twenty-five years at sea. He is also an unlimited Master of towing vessels and Master and Commander of U.S Naval underway replenishment vessels. During his career at sea, CAPT Tortora had command of many different classes of vessels, including tankers, dry cargo, break bulk, ammunition, ocean towing, and salvage, special mission, as well as underway replenishment vessels. CAPT Tortora is a native of Long Island, New York. He is a graduate of Chaminade High School and holds a BS in Marine Transportation and MS, with honors, in International Transportation Management, both from the State University of New York Maritime College at Ft. Schuyler. He has served in the first Gulf War 1991-1992, Operation Noble Eagle—the response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, and Operation Iraqi Freedom—the second Gulf War from 2002-2010. CAPT Tortora’s decorations include U.S. Navy MSC-Command-at-Sea Designato...

Human Factors, Engineering - Distracted driving, Driving behavior, Reconstruction, Biomechanics, Maritime, Manufacturing, Mining, OSHA, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Safety, Slips, Trips, Falls, Transportation, Warnings, Conspicuity, Cell phones, Texting, Lighting, Perception, Visibility, Instructions, Human Factors

Dr. Kevin Rider is a human factors expert and owner of Forensic Human Factors, LLC, providing investigations, reports and expert testimony for personal injury cases – plaintiff and defense. His expertise involves investigating how people interact with other people, products and environments in predictable ways, and applying this understanding to effective, efficient and safe products, services and systems. He has been retained as an expert in more than 40 states (+ Puerto Rico). Dr. Rider’s expertise includes: • MVAs and pedestrian collisions, incl. trucks, trains, buses, motor/bicycles • Illumination, nighttime visibility, and conspicuity • DUI/DWIs, where intoxication was not a proximate cause of crash • Adequacy of product designs and warnings • The design and maintenance of safe civil and occupational environments • Premises liability, and slips, trips and falls • Workplace and construction safety Dr. Rider is a Professional Engineer (PE), a Certified Professional Ergonomi...

Meteorology, Maritime - Weather reconstruction, forensic meteorology, weather, marine meteorology, maritime, admirality law, weather routing, ship accidents, boating accidents, consulting meteorologists, tropical cyclones, hurricanes, tropical meteorology, extreme waves, oceanography, waves, marine insurance, insurance.

• Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) by the American Meteorological Society • Over 30 years experience in meteorology and physical oceanography • I am a U.S. Navy veteran with sea duty and therefore have firsthand experience in the effects of weather on operations • Past AMS board member that certifies CCM’s for technical knowledge, communication skills, and ethics • I provide quality testimony using the scientific method • My testimony is clear, concise, and technically complicated subjects are plainly described • Sound communication skills describing complex atmospheric processes are put into easily understandable words and presentations • My written testimony is quality controlled and peer reviewed to produce an error free report that stands up to scrutiny of cross examination • I keep abreast of the latest scientific developments in meteorology and physical oceanography by attending conferences, re...

Maritime - Captain, Seaman, Gangway, Master Mariner, Seamanship, Boat, Ship, Collision, Deck, Shipboard Safety, Allision, Cruise

Captain McKamie has 48 years of experience in the maritime industry both at sea and ashore. Captain McKamie is a licensed Unlimited Master Mariner for over 33 years and is a retired U. S. Navy Captain. At sea Captain McKamie was Captain of a very large crude carrier that traded on U. S. domestic and international voyages. While in the Navy Captain McKamie taught shiphandling to Prospective Commanding Officers and Prospective Executive Officers at the Navy School for Shiphandling. Ashore Captain McKamie has management experience in vessel manning, crew training and marine insurance. McKamie, a graduate of the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York might assist you in matters involving marine cargo, marine insurance, marine casualties, marine collisions, marine navigation, marine seamanship, deck seamanship, marine allisions, marine rules of the road, seamanship, seaman claims, marine radar, International Safety Management Code (ISM) application, SOLAS, marine safet...

Maritime - Navigation, Towing Vessel Operations, Articulated tug/barge operations, Subchapter M Compliance, Petroleum Barge Operations

NAMS - CMS 146 - 983 Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau Certified auditor and surveyor Subchapter M Dry Dock and Internal Structural Examiner !600 Ton Master Oceans, Master of Towing Vessel Oceans Extensive experience as Master of Articulated tug/barge units as well as conventional tow wire and rope towing Marine Surveyor as well as Compliance Surveyor and Auditor Ran a high School level towing vessel vocational program using a donated towing vessel for entry level deckhands through the Virginia Community College Vocational Training System Instructor in "Welfare to Work" training program through the Virginia Port Authority

Maritime, OSHA - Maritime Shipboard Safety, Marine Casualties and Accidents, Maritime Worker Injuries, Vessel Safety Inspections, Fishing Vessel Safety, Maritime Safety Management Systems, Seamanship

I have over 35 years of experience in the maritime sector. I served for just shy of 30 years in the US Coast Guard as a deck watch officer, Officer in Charge of various commands, and retired as a Master Chief Boatswains Mate. In addition to my Coast Guard background, I have experience in vessel construction project management, and most recently as the safety director for a fishing company that operates large factory trawlers involved in at sea seafood processing. As a fishing company safety director, I have extensive experience in vessel safety inspections, identification and mitigation of hazards, development of comprehensive programs to ensure crew/employee safety, incident and accident investigations, root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions, mitigation of risk through engineering design and programmatic changes. Education, Certifications and Training include: -Bachelor of Science, Business Administration -Board certified Safety Management Specialist (BCS...

Maritime, Management - newbuilding sea trials, cruise ship operations, quality and safety management systems, ISM Code, ISPS Code, regulations for preventing collisions at sea (“Rules of the Road”), bridge resource management, tanker operations, teaching and training

Highly accomplished shipmaster and manager of over thirty years’ commercial maritime industry experience. EXPERIENCE -- Newbuilding sea trials shipmaster (over 100 sea trials in over 50 new ships) -- Operations, health, environment and safety superintendent -- Quality and safety management system lead auditor -- Shipmaster and officer in commercial merchant ships on international and US coastwise voyages -- Appointed shipmaster of a new refined products tanker in US coastwise service, at age thirty -- Served as second mate and chief mate on four maiden voyages, two on new trade routes for the respective shipowners EXPERTISE -- Command in newbuilding sea trials -- Cruise ship operations including operation of their tender boats and rescue boats -- Design, administration and audit of quality management systems, safety management systems, and security management systems -- Application of the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution P...

Maritime - Marine Casualties/Accidents, Maritime Root Cause Analysis, Ship Pilot, Shiphandler, Channel Vessel Interaction, Navigation Safety Regulations, Anti-Terrorism, Anti-Piracy, Shipboard Safety/Security, Rules of the Road, Maritime Simulation Development, Seamanship, Cargo Surveyor

Expert Shiphandler: Pilot and Instructor Bridge Resource Management Instruction/Evaluation Incident Investigations/Root Cause Analysis Oil Spill Response/Recovery Shipyard/Drydock Repairs and Accidents Risk Assessment/Decision Making Shipboard Crew Performance – Culture and Diversity Simulator Evaluation/Programming Captain, USNR (Ret.): Surface Warfare Officer, Merchant Marine Officer Master Mariner, Unlimited Tonnage Upon Oceans, STCW 95, 2010, 2017 compliant First Class Pilot - Unlimited Tonnage, 32 years - greater than 5000 ships piloted San Francisco Bar Pilot (16 yrs) Los Angeles Port Pilot (4 yrs) Chevron Shipping Port Captain/Mooring Master, Barbers Point - Oahu, Hawaii (8 yrs) Master, Tanker & Cargo Vessels (3 yrs) Kuwaiti Pilot, Iraqi Freedom Two: Port Al-Shuaiba, Muhammed Al-Ahmed Naval Base (2 yrs) Lightering Master-Military Sealift Command (2 yrs) Pilotage endorsements: San Francisco Bay & Tributaries, Stockton & Sacramento, Monterey Bay Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor...