Eugene (Gene) P. Sipe, Jr., AMS®/SMS, CMIP is an Accredited Senior Marine Surveyor and president of Nautical Service Technologies, Inc. Gene has been a practicing Marine Surveyor in south Florida since early 1985 and established Nautical Service Technologies (NST) in Naples, Florida in 1987. Gene is a charter member and past-president of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors®, Inc. (SAMS®). Gene has also served as SAMS®’s Secretary/Treasurer, Vice-President-Testing, Regional Director and Chairman of Education, IT & Survey Content Committees. As Educational Chairman he co-authored and administered the SAMS® AMS® Examinations and developed the program for continuing education for marine surveyors. As Chairman of the Survey Content Committee he developed the standard for Minimum Content in Yacht & Small Craft Marine Surveys. Gene is a former USCG Merchant Marine Master, 50 Ton Motor, Steam & Aux. Sail.

Gene is also the author of the textbook, Specialist Module G - ABYC & US Requirements used in the Diploma in Yacht & Small Craft Surveying program of the International Institute of Marine Surveyors, of Gosport, Hampshire, England.

His certifications include SAMS® Accredited Marine Surveyor in Yachts, Small Craft & Cargo with the additional designation of Senior Marine Surveyor, Commercial Marine Insurance Professional (CMIP), USCG 3rd Party Fish Boat Examiner, Florida Independent "All Lines" Adjuster, OSHA HAZMAT First Responder, FAA Private Pilot-SEL, CAP Mission Coordinator, Observer & Pilot, PADI Open Water Diver and Florida Notary Public.

Gene also serves as a member of the Advisory Board of NADA Appraisal Guides. His past endeavors include Director-Florida Marine Intelligence Unit, Staff Surveyor-Roanoke Cat Team and Florida West Coast Cat Team Coordinator-MetLife, Chairman-Naples Boat Show, Membership Chairman-Collier County Marine Trades Assn., Weekly Boating Safety Column-Naples Daily News, Adjunct Teacher (Marine)-Edison Community College, Delivery Captain, Sailing Master, Charterboat Captain, Yacht Rigger, Compass Adjuster and Shipwright.

Gene has been accepted to testify as an expert whiteness in the marine industry in both of Florida courts and has been a consultant in numerous vessel manufacturing and restoration projects.

Ray McLeod is a legend in the marine industry. Ray is a former Charter member of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors with the honored distginction of AMS®/SMSdesignator and specializes in Yacht and Small Craft surveying. Ray’s surveying experience spans more than 30 years.

Ray is also the President of Douglas & McLeod, Inc. which is presently an operating full service dockage, repair and mechanical marina and boatyard with 40 wet slips and storage facilities in Grand River, Ohio. Douglas & McLeod, Inc is best known for its years of production of a number of world-renowned sailing craft. Douglas & McLeod, Inc. produced the Thistle, the International 14 and Great Lakes 21 (which became known as the International 21), the Highlander 20, the D&M 22, the Tartan 27, the Blackwatch 37 and the Tartan 34. Douglas & McLeod, Inc. built over 7,000 boats during their production phase.

Ray’s 65 years of history in the marine industry have earned him distinction in the marine community and his accomplishments are acknowledged in numerous boating publications and books.

Christopher Day started his career in England as a teacher of European History. He spent the last 25 years in the boating industry. Firstly as a Transatlantic Delivery Captain then as a Charter Captain in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Chris worked on the US Pacific Coast as a Marine Consultant where he relied upon his experience both as a service manager for Clemens Marina in Eugene Oregon and as the owner of a retail marine store.

He has extensive offshore experience and has consulted in the purchasing, building and outfitting of countless private and commercial boats.

Chris taught classes in marine related subjects at the University of Oregon, Lane Community College, City Of Eugene, Oregon, the City Of Corpus Christi, the International School of Sailing, the Boston Harbor Sailing Club and most recently at Florida Sailing and Cruising School in Ft Myers, Florida.

As a USCG Licensed Captain and a Certified American Sailing Association (ASA) Instructor, Chris has been twice awarded Regional ‘Instructor of the Year’. He has also been the subject of articles in such publications as Cruising, Southern Living, Soundings, and Gulfshore Life.Florida Paddling Club.