Objective
Seeking to continue my Maritime related career from a shore-based position.
Experience
Professional experience:
Jan 2006-Present
Senior Editor, Creator & Webmaster for towboater.com
• Developed, started and continue to maintain a website targeting the U.S. inland towing industry.
• Web publishing, photography and journalism.
Feb 2005-Present
Sr. Operating Partner & Company Principle of Rockwell, Rishel & Associates LLC
dba Sarai Transportation
• The general operation of three (3) inland towing vessels within the charter fleet of the largest petro-chemical tank barge company (Kirby Inland Marine) in the United States.
• Maintain Qualified and adequate Vessel Crewing, as determined by federal regulations, the safe operation of the vessel and the satisfaction of the customer.
• Vessel Crew Operational Supervision & Support. Crew scheduling, crew changing, assuring compliance with federal regulations, training and administration of policies and procedures. Set up and maintain comprehensive operational insurance policies
• Marine Transportation Consultation Services.
• Marine Incident Investigations & Reporting
• Web site design, building and hosting
2003-Feb 2005
Vice President of Operations for Henry Marine Service, Inc.
• Responsible for the general operations and management of a $6M/year marine transportation company and shipyard operating nine towboats upon U.S. Inland Waters and Western Rivers and two dry-docks in Mobile, Alabama.
• Developed and successfully implemented policies & procedures designed to exceed United States Coast Guard, United States Department of Transportation and existing industry regulatory standards of safety and efficiency.
• Successfully brought Henry Marine Service, Inc. the American Waterways Operators Responsible Carrier Program endorsement.
• Achieved the Kirby Inland Marine Operational Excellence award for 2004.
• Produced and submitted winning bid proposals for two separate Southern Company/ Alabama Power Contracts in 2004 & 2005.
2001-2003
Marketing & Sales, Towboat-Fleet Services
• Worked to maintain established relationships while pursuing new customers for the services of our expanding towboat fleet.
• Contractual Bidding
1998-2003
Captain, Lead shift boat.
• Captain of Lead shift boat in a two-vessel team. Responsible for the surveying, loading and off-loading of barges with dry-bulk cargo from ships and/or ground storage at Mobile River Terminal. Barge fleeting, tow building and the recording of all related vessel (ship, barge, line haul boat, shift boat, etc.) traffic. Responsible for daily dry-dock and related shifting at company shipyard. I have under my command another full time shift boat with the authorized use of two additional shift vessels as required. This job requires a close working relationship with the Stevedoring personnel at Mobile River Terminal, the traffic personnel at Warrior and Gulf navigation and the shipyard foreman at Henry Marine Services.
1997-1998
Captain, harbor shift boat
• Working as Captain of the second boat of a two-vessel team at a busy dry-bulk terminal and shipyard in Mobile Harbor. Responsible for carrying out the orders of the lead boat which included barge shifting, fleeting, tow-building and to assist line haul towing vessels through various local rail bridges.
1994-1997
Pilot / Relief Captain
• 1994-1996 Pilot of 1200HP towing vessel pushing
6-8 barge tows on the Black Warrior River/Tombigbee Waterways.
• 1996-1997 Relief Captain of same vessel. Assumed full command of vessel when Captain away on off-time, vacations etc.
1992-1994
Deckhand/Engineer/Pilot Candidate
• Oversee deck crew in all aspects of day to day operations aboard inland towing vessel. Heavy maint. and repairs of main engines, generators and deck equipment. Training of all new deck personnel. Preparing for advancement to wheelhouse as per U.S. Coast Guard and Company requirements. Secured un-inspected towboat operators license in May 1994. Warrior River, Tombigbee Waterways.
1990-1992
Henry Marine Service, inc. Mobile, Alabama
Deckhand
• Basic vessel maintenance, housekeeping, tow building, etc. on Inland river towing vessel working on the Black Warrior River, Tombigbee Waterway.
Education
Education:
• 1981-1984 Nagoya International School. Nagoya, Japan
College Preparatory School
• 1984-1985 University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Psychology/Philosophy
• 1985-1986 Portland State University. Portland, OR.
Psychology/Philosophy
• 1986-1987 University of Montevallo. Montevallo, AL.
Psychology/Philosophy
• 1994 Issued a USCG Master of Towing Vessels License with routes encompassing U.S. Inland Waters and The Great Lakes (currently holding my third issue).
• All necessary & current Radar Observer Endorsements
• 2002 Completed the Seaman’s Church Advanced Wheelhouse Management Course with included simulator time.
• 2005 Successfully completed a USCG approved course as a Designated Examiner
• 2005 Received Certification as a USCG approved Crew Endurance Management Coach.
Certification
• 1994 Issued a USCG Master of Towing Vessels License with routes encompassing U.S. Inland Waters and The Great Lakes (currently holding my third issue).
• All necessary & current Radar Observer Endorsements
• 2002 Completed the Seaman’s Church Advanced Wheelhouse Management Course with included simulator time.
• 2005 Successfully completed a USCG approved course as a Designated Examiner
• 2005 Received Certification as a USCG approved Crew Endurance Management Coach.
• 2006 received Certification as a USCG approved Designated Examiner for Inland Waters, Great lakes and Western Rivers Routes.
Skils
Interests and activities: Strong Mechanical inclination. Highly Organized. Computer literate. Skilled at managing and motivating people. I have ridden and raced both motorcycles and bicycles since the age of seven, which has rewarded me with a valuable level of sportsmanship as well as a keen sense of competitiveness.