About Pilothouse Marine Services

Veteran-Owned and Operated

Our Mission and Commitment

Pilothouse Marine Services, LLC provides professional marine services to yacht owners, commercial vessel operators, and boatyards. Services are performed with an emphasis on technical accuracy, practical value, and adherence to applicable industry standards.

Our mission is to deliver technically precise, risk-focused survey reports that support informed decisions in pre-purchase, insurance, and underwriting contexts. We emphasize material condition, system functionality, and clarity of findings.
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Our services include:

• ​Marine surveys for pre-purchase, insurance, condition & value, appraisal, and damage evaluation
• Vessel and systems inspections tailored to risk and transaction needs
  
• Thermal imaging for non-destructive evaluation of structural and mechanical systems
  

Steve Smith - Professional Qualifications

Below are some of the highlights of Steve's 40 years of experience with ships and boats. A voracious learner - he is always undertaking a new topic, subject, or adventure as long as it has something to do with his passion - boats.

Work Experience

• Military Veteran - Navy - 20 year - Surface Warfare Officer - specializing in electronics and ship systems
  • Deck officer qualified on several ship classes
• US Navy Systems Test Officer for Arleigh Burke Destroyer
• Ship Repair Officer for 3 ship overhaul periods
• Instructor - US Navy
• Systems Engineer for a defense contractor
• Instructor - Microsoft 
• Various Senior Leadership roles in 2 Fortune 500 companies
• 2 years as volunteer at Bath Maine Maritime Museum boat shop restoring historical wooden boats
• Built from scratch a 45' steel sailboat
• Entrepreneur - has started and sold several highly profitable companies
• Owner of a small boat repair business - refit several boats before their extended cruising - sold
• Owner of a specialty coatings and corrosion control company - sold
• Owner - Barrier Island Boatworks - boat manufacturer

Relevant Education (over 40 years it is an exhaustive list - the short version)

• Computer Science
• ​Numerous ship weapons, electronic and engineering systems
• Yacht and Small Craft Surveying
• Level 1 Thermographer
• ABYC Systems, Standards, Electrical, Diesel Engines & Corrosion courses
• Marine Accident Investigation
• Ship Draft Survey Course

Professional experience includes work on a wide range of vessels, including system-complex yachts.

Professional & Technical Qualifications

Qualifications reflect a focus on complex vessel systems and standards referenced by insurers and lenders.
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• Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors - Accredited Marine Surveyor
• USCG 100 GT Masters License - with numerous endorsements
• Extensive boating experience - 40' to 85' sailboats and 40' to 110' power boats - including USCG Small Passenger Inspected Vessels
• Charter Boat Captain
• Instructor - USCG Approved Merchant Mariner courses
• ABYC Master Technician
• ABYC Systems Certified
• ABYC Standards Certified
• ABYC Electrical Certified
• ABYC Corrosion Certified
• ABYC Diesel Engines Certified
• ​Level 1 Thermographer Certified

My Philosophy and Work Ethic

A few principles and ethics that I follow every day.

1. I put my country before family and work. I love America!
2. In work - Customer Success drives what we do - our passion and our purpose.
3. I approach the services that I provide to you in the same manner and expectations that I would want them performed for me. I treat your boat as if it were mine.
4. Be honest - display integrity. NEVER Lie.
5. I strive to learn something new everyday relative to boats and this awesome industry I am fortunate to be part of.

Things I DO NOT tolerate:

• Stupidity
• Arrogance
• Anti-American anything
• Gender Misfits. If you do not know what sex you were born with or "feel" you need to make up new words to identify - do not call me for services.
• Disrespecting our flag. If you take a knee during the National Anthem - do not call me for services.
• Men in women's sports and bathrooms. Not on my watch - not around my wife, daughter, or grand-daughter. There will be consequences.