Maritime Expert Witnesses in Washington

Maritime, Slip Trip & Fall - marina safety, boating accidents, collisions/allisions, investigation, ship, yachts, seaworthiness, captain responsibilities, crew, passenger safety, Rules of the Road, equipment failure, sinking, drowning, vessel operation, safety, sport fishing, charter boat, jet ski, kayak

Captain David G. Bacon, a U.S. Coast Guard licensed vessel captain and Boating Safety & Compliance Consultant who is available as an expert witness on cases involving; boating accidents, slip & falls, personal injuries, collisions and allisions, issues of responsibilities and liabilities aboard vessels and on gangways and docks and piers, drowning and vessel grounding or sinking. I am available to travel for investigations, inspections and testimony. Passenger/crew interaction, training and safety orientation are areas where many liabilities are created due to negligent actions/inactions, and I have experience opining on those issues based upon Rules of the Road and other regulations, and standard duty of care and safety protocols. I have served as a vessel charter captain for 35 years, specializing in; crew training, safety procedures, crew drills and practice, passenger safety orientation. During that lengthy career I have had no accident or injury claims because I am a diligent...

Yakima, Washington

Maritime, Transportation - Vessel Safety Training, Vessel Risk Management, Vessel Maintenance Management, Research Vessel Operations, Accident Root Cause Analysis, Small Passenger Ship Operations <1600 Gross Tons Domestic, Vessel Risk Assessment, Vessel SMS, Sport Charter Boat

Professional Summary Ronald J. Short is a highly proficient, motivated, and dynamic licensed Master with extensive experience in vessel management, both internationally and along coastal regions. He has worked with various types of vessels, including passenger, supply, oceanographic, break bulk, and special purpose explosive carriers. Ronald excels in maintaining effective working relationships and employs a high-energy, hands-on approach to management, demonstrating excellent communication skills and critical thinking during vessel operations. He is committed to continuous learning and applying new technologies and industry trends. Key Skills: • Ship Piloting and Navigation • Operations Management • Productivity Enhancement • Crew Training and Management • Marine Research Operations • Critical Problem Solving • Safety and Emergency Procedures • Team Building & Leadership • Process Improvement • Maritime Safety Training • Client Relationship Management • Cost Containment • Mainten...

Gig Harbor, Washington

Maritime, Engineering - Marine engineering casualties, Incident investigation, Personal negligence, Vessel systems, Proper equipment operation, Engine room best practices, Safety and compliance, Offshore oil & gas, Commercial fishing, Passenger transportation, Private yachts, Marine electrical, Medium-speed diesel engines, High-speed diesel engines

William H. D. Ostara is a licensed chief engineer and maritime consultant with over 20 years of sea-going and shoreside experience across the commercial fishing, offshore supply, passenger, and research sectors. He is the Principal Consultant of Sci Maritime, LLC, providing incident investigation, risk assessment, and expert witness services to vessel owners, insurers, and litigation counsel. William’s expertise centres on engineering failures, shipboard casualties, and operational negligence, with a particular focus on propulsion systems, refrigerated seawater and ammonia plants, electrical distribution, and maintenance management practices. He offers technical opinions on machinery damage, engine-room fires, regulatory compliance, human-factor contributions, and organizational safety breakdowns. His analysis blends root-cause methodology with first-hand knowledge of shipboard culture, watchstanding realities, and the constraints of commercial operation. His career spans progress...

Everett, Washington

Maritime, Risk Management - 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, Ladder Usage/Accidents

Qualified Maritime Expert Witness Marine Casualties and Incident Investigations/Root Cause Analysis Risk Assessment and Decision Making Expert Shiphandler - Pilot and Instructor Bridge Resource Management Instruction/Evaluation Seamanship Instructor - Best Practices and Accident Evaluations Oil Spill Response/Recovery Rules of the Road, Channel Vessel Interaction Simulator Evaluation/Programming Master/Pilot Information Exchange - relationship/evaluation Tugs and Usage - Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD), ASD Reverse Tractor, Voith-Schneider Tractor, Conventional Drive - single and twin screw 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, 35 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 V...

Vancouver, Washington

Maritime, Management - newbuilding sea trials, bridge resource management, watchkeeping, watchstanding, navigation, shiphandling, tanker operations, cruise ship operations, quality and safety management systems, ISM Code, ISPS Code, regulations for preventing collisions at sea (“Rules of the Road”), 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 -- Bridge resource management, watchstanding, watchkeeping, navigation, shiphandling -- Petroleum tankship operations -- Tanker Management Self-Assessment 3 (TMSA3) -- Cruise ship operations including operation of their tender boats and rescue boats -- Design, administration and audit of quality management syste...