Eugene P. Sipe, Jr., AMS^â/SMS

Captain Eugene (Gene) P. Sipe, Jr. 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. NST is a Marine Surveying Agency whose activities include Accident Investigation and Reconstruction, Appraisals, Damage Claim Surveys and Loss Adjusting, Arbitration, Insurance and Pre-Purchase Condition and Valuation Surveys of Pleasure and Commercial Craft and Repair and Construction Supervision. The survey staff of NST has a combined total experience in excess of 100 years in the marine industry.
Gene is a past-president of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyorsâ, Inc. (SAMSâ). SAMSâ is the worlds largest association of independent marine surveyors and has members in 26 countries in addition to the United States. Gene is a charter member of this organization and has served as Secretary/Treasurer, Vice-President-Testing, Regional Director and Chairman of Education, IT & Survey Content Committees. As Educational Chairman he co-authored and administered the SAMSâ AMSâ 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 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 SAMSâ Accredited Marine Surveyor in Yachts, Small Craft & Cargo with the additional designation of Senior Marine Surveyor, USCG 3rd Party Fish Boat Examiner, USCG Merchant Marine Master, 50 Ton Motor, Steam & Aux. Sail, 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 completed the Penn State University R.E. Program, Sea School Seamanship Program, International Maritime Technical Institute Marine Surveying Program, Underwriters Laboratories Marine Accident Investigation Program and served apprenticeships in Sail Repair at Cayo Hueso Sails Loft, as a Shipwright with Old Wooden Boatworks and as a Compass Adjuster with Cmdr. Dean M. Payne, USN (Retired).

Gene also serves as a member of the Advisory Board of NADA Appraisal Guides, Chairman of Adult Education at Temple Judea and an IT Director for a number of civic organizations. 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 a number of Florida courts and has been a consultant in numerous vessel manufacturing and restoration projects.

Gene is a Life Member of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyorsâ and member the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, the Marine Surveyors Guild, the American Boat and Yacht Council, the Tampa Bay Mariners Club, the Florida Marine Intelligence Unit, Temple Judea SWFL, Cypress Lodge #295 F&AM, the Civil Air Patrol, International Mountain Biking Association and the SW Florida Paddling Club.

Ray D. McLeod, AMS^â/SMS

Ray McLeod, AMS®/SMS is a legend in the marine industry. Ray is an Accredited Marine Surveyor with the added distinction of holding a Senior Marine Surveyor rating. Ray is a charter member of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors 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 60 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
Associate Surveyor

Capt. 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.