Objective
Ship Repair, Marine Engineering, Marine Forensics, Ship Manager
Experience
EXPERIENCE:
9/1997 - 9/2001 Owner, Michael A. Spotto, P.E., Sole Proprietorship
Forensic Marine Engineer
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Retained over 200 times as a Professional Engineer and
Marine Safety Expert by over 30 law firms, representing
both plaintiffs and defendants
in State and Federal Court.
I have given Marine Expert testimony in court or by deposition over 50 times.
Did Forensic Marine Engineering work on a variety of
vessels including passenger ships, cargo vessels, boats and
personal watercraft. Many of these cases involved severe
injuries and deaths. Other cases have involved ship, boat
and personal watercraft collisions, marine mechanical
failures that caused injury, marine products
liability, marine insurance claims and ocean rescue operations.
As a former U. S. Coast Guard Marine Inspector and the
former Chief of the Investigations Department at a U. S.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, I have been able to
assist clients with the determination of marine accident
causes and help them evaluate liability.
I have also been able to use my expertise in marine and
mechanical engineering, ship and boat operations and
maritime safety to interpret and apply many marine
regulations and standards, including: Titles 33 and 46 of
the Code of Federal Regulations, Federal and State
Recreational Boating Regulations, the Inland and
International Navigation Rules, U.S.
Coast Guard Navigation and Information Circulars, the American Boat and
Yacht Council Standards, and the
International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
4/1994 - 8/2008 UNITED PARCEL SERVICE
Boeing 757 and 767 Captain
Louisville, KY and Miami, FL
Responsible for $80 million aircraft, crew, and up to four
passengers on international flights to South and Central
America. As a Flight Engineer on earlier duty, I was
selected as a DC-8 Initial Operating Experience Instructor.
I successfully trained 15 students on the function and use
of DC-8 aircraft systems. As of 8/2008 I am unable to
exercise the privileges of my Airman's
Medical Certificate, and as a consequence, am unable to fly.
5/1984 - 5/1994 UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
Commercial Ship Inspector, Facilities
Engineering Contracting Officer and Rescue Pilot
Lieutenant, selected for Lieutenant Commander. Top Secret Clearance.
U. S. Coast Guard Marine Inspector, MSO Chicago- After
completing an extensive one year training program, served
as U. S. Coast Guard Hull and Boiler Inspector.
Responsible for inspecting all systems and structures
aboard U.S. and Foreign Flag vessels including Large and
Small Passenger Vessels, Freighters, Barges, Ore Carriers,
Train Ferries and Tankers to ensure compliance with all
applicable federal engineering rules and regulations.
Completed damage surveys, issued repair instructions and
inspected subsequent repairs, issued Certificates of
Inspection on behalf of the Commanding Officer.
Completed several dry dock hull inspections and other
inspections in cooperation with American Bureau of Shipping
Surveyors. Completed plan reviews and stability tests for
vessel modification and conversion. Oversaw new construction of a passenger vessel.
U.S. Coast Guard Investigations Department Chief, MSO
Chicago- Responsible for all marine casualty, marine
pollution, and license suspension and revocation investigations for the unit.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami Facilities Engineering
Contracting Officer, wrote and insured proper execution of contracts for engineering products and services worth $205,000.00 per year.
Authorized to commit up to $500,000.00 per year in
engineering contracts. Wrote and
oversaw contracts for maintenance and upgrades for air
station fuel farm, upgrades to officer's quarters, repairs
and improvements to the hangar fire suppression system,
landscaping and janitorial services.
Designed a special use aircraft work shelter, two
maintenance shelters and an 1800 square foot maintenance
facility for Tactical Law Enforcement special boats and
equipment. Was in charge of a large
scale asbestos removal project for the Air Station's
hangar. Ensured compliance Hazardous
Materials requirements and guidelines were properly followed.
U. S. Coast Guard Aviator, Air Station Miami- After
completing United Stated Navy Flight
Training in Pensacola, FL, flew 650 missions in the
U. S. Coast Guard Falcon Jet.
Saved hundreds of lives and millions of
dollars in property. As Public Affairs Officer,
represented the Air Station in local and national news
coverage including our humanitarian
response to hurricane Andrew. Received a commendation
from the District Commander for this work.
Organized a live re-enactment of a
helicopter rescue that was seen by 30 million viewers.
Deck Watch Officer- U. S. Coast Guard Cutter VIGOROUS-
Conning Officer, Law Enforcement Boarding Officer,
Weapons Officer. Qualified as Underway Engine Room
Watch-stander responsible for
monitoring the proper operation of the main propulsion
diesel engines as well as all auxiliary
machinery and equipment in the mechanical spaces on the ship.
Customs Officer: Military Customs Inspector (Excepted)
Responsible for enforcing laws governing the importation of
all merchandise, including the laws of many other
government agencies. This includes the inspection of cargo,
baggage and articles worn or carried by persons and
carriers entering the country. Authorized to seize prohibited or smuggled articles.
Author of Examination Questions for Nationwide
NCEES Professional Engineer's Licensure Exam in Ship Design.
Invitation to write the questions was received from the Society of Naval Architects
and Marine Engineers President, Jose Femina. - 1998
Education
EDUCATION: United States Coast Guard Academy, B.S.
Marine Engineering, 1984. Course of study included Ship
Design, Engineering Design, Shipboard Power Systems,
Electrical Engineering, Electro-mechanics,
Materials Science, Thermodynamics, Dynamics, and Statics and Strengths of Materials.
Certification
PROFESSIONAL: Registered Professional Engineer, Mechanical, Florida
Skils
Management, Marine Engineering, Technical Communications, Marine Inspection and Repair QA