Pilothouse Marine Services · Veteran-owned and operated
Steve Smith
Accredited Marine Surveyor
ABYC Master Technician
A professional background in naval service, vessel construction and repair, marine systems, and vessel operation.
Steve’s work draws on twenty years in the U.S. Navy and practical experience with ships and boats, supported by systems engineering, technical instruction, and business leadership.
Contact Steve ↗Military experience
Naval Service — 20 Years
Served as a Weapons Officer and qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer.
Experience with naval weapons systems, shipboard electronic systems, and broader ship systems. These areas connect technical knowledge with the operation, testing, and repair of ships.
Assigned to two new-construction ships from keel laying through construction, training, workups, and deployments.
- Weapons System Testing
- Systems Test Officer on an Arleigh Burke destroyer.
- Ship qualifications
- Deck Officer qualified on several ship classes.
- Ship repair & overhaul
- Ship Repair Officer during three ship overhaul periods, including shipyard and overhaul experience.
- Military instruction
- U.S. Navy instructor experience.
Practical experience
Boatbuilding, Repair & Restoration
Construction
Steve’s boatbuilding experience includes the construction of a steel sailboat. Alongside his marine surveying practice, he serves as managing partner at Barrier Island Boatworks, building aluminum landing craft and patrol boats.
Wooden-boat restoration
He spent two years as a volunteer in the maritime museum boat shop in Bath, Maine, restoring historic wooden boats.
Repair & refit
Steve owned a small-boat repair business, including refitting boats before extended cruising. The business was later sold.
Coatings & corrosion control
He also owned a specialty coatings and corrosion-control company, which was later sold.
Professional qualifications
Marine Surveying &
Technical Qualifications
Pilothouse Marine Services provides marine surveys, vessel and systems inspections, and thermal imaging for yacht owners, commercial vessel operators, and boatyards. The work emphasizes material condition, system functionality, and clear reporting, including on system-complex yachts.
Accreditation
Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors
Accredited Marine Surveyor
AMS #1380
Certifications
ABYC Master Technician
- ABYC Systems, Standards, Electrical, Corrosion, and Diesel Engines certifications.
Level 1 Thermographer
Education & coursework
- Yacht and small craft surveying.
- Marine accident investigation.
- Ship draft surveying.
- ABYC Systems, Standards, Electrical, Diesel Engines, and Corrosion courses.
- Computer science; ship weapons, electronic, and engineering systems.
Analysis & report preparation
Steve brings inspection notes, photographs, and test results together in a detailed report explaining the vessel’s condition, the significance of findings, and recommended action. The report also identifies areas that could not be examined and the limits of testing.
Explore the illustrative sample report ↗
Operating & teaching experience
Vessel Operation & Instruction
Vessel operation
U.S. Coast Guard 100 GT Master’s license
- Sailboat operating experience from 40 to 85 feet.
- Powerboat operating experience from 40 to 110 feet.
- Experience with USCG-inspected small passenger vessels.
- Charter captain experience.
Instruction
Steve’s civilian instructional experience includes USCG-approved merchant mariner courses and instruction for Microsoft, alongside the military instruction noted above.
Engineering & leadership
His background also includes systems engineering for a defense contractor, senior leadership roles in two Fortune 500 companies, and starting and selling several businesses.