C.V - Captain Sam Stephenson, J.D.

Professional Qualifications

Education

Legal Experience

Over 20 years of experience as expert witness representing plaintiffs/defendants in criminal and civil cases involving commercial and pleasure vessels. Cases have involved narrow channels, collisions, allisions, pilot ladders, sinkings, groundings, tendering operations, personal injury, piloting, rules of the road, shiphandling, boundary disputes, patent litigation, scuba diving, etc.

Teaching Experience & Course Development

Resolve Maritime Academy: Developed following senior level courses: COLREGS, Advanced Shiphandling, Emergency Shiphandling, Bridge Resource Management - Pilots, Podded Propulsion, Regulatory & Legal Issues of Pilots. Lead instructor for: Bridge Resource Management, Integrated Bridge Systems, Legal Aspects of Piloting, COLREGS, Emergency Shiphandling, Advanced Shiphandling and Podded Propulsion. Lead Instructor for courses using Transas Simulator for shipboard exercises.
Maritime Pilot Institute - Lead instructor, Legal Aspects of Piloting, 2012.
Texas A&M University at Galveston - Senior Lecturer, 1996 - 1999. Developed and taught the following courses: COLREGS (Inland & International), electronic navigation, seamanship, and marine orientation & lifesaving.

Shipboard Training Experience

Captain of the United States Training Ship Texas Clipper II from 2001-2005.
In charge of training over 260 cadets aboard ship. Training included: navigation, firefighting, lifesaving, shipboard maintenance, watch standing, procedural training, seamanship, etc.

Pilot Experience

Senior Pilot - Port Everglades Pilot Association, 2006 - present. Expert shiphandler with approximately 6,000 transits in & out of Port Everglades. Ships piloted include the largest passenger ships in the world, cargo ships, tugs & barges, ATB's, ITB's, US Naval ships, container ships, submarines, tankers, car carriers, mega-yachts, etc. Expert shiphandler using tugs for ship assist work, docking & undocking.

Sea Experience

Master - NOAA Research Ship Rueben Lasker, 2013.
Master - United States Naval Ship Sirius, 2005 – 2006.
Master - United States Training Ship Texas Clipper II, 2001 – 2005.
Master - Passenger Ship Royal Star, 2000.
Chief Mate - United States Training Ship Texas Clipper II, 1996 - 1999.
Chief Mate - Passenger Ship Royal Empress, 1997.
Chief Mate - Passenger Ship Vegas Express, 1994 - 1996.
Lieutenant - Preposition Ship First Lieutenant Alex Bonnyman, 1994.
Second Mate - United States Training Ship Texas Clipper, 1994.
Lieutenant JG - Missile Tracking Ship Range Sentinel, 1994.
Second Mate -United States Training Ship Texas Clipper, 1993.
Lieutenant JG - Amphibious Assault - USS Fresno, 1992.
Third Mate - Oil Tanker Overseas Arctic, 1991-1992.
Third Mate - Ammunition Underway Replenishment Ship – SS Cape Alava, (Operation Desert Storm), 1991.
Third Mate - United States Training Ship Texas Clipper, 1991.
Ensign, Destroyer Auxiliary Tender USS Yosemite, 1991.
Third Mate - Chemical Tanker Texaco California, 1990.

Shore-Side Experience

Commandant of Cadets - Texas A&M Maritime Academy at Galveston. In charge of discipline and training of approximately 260 cadets in the US Maritime Service Corps of Cadets, 2001 - 2006.

Boating Experience

Over 44 years of boating experience on power boats, sailboats, and fishing boats.
Taught boat handling at Texas A&M Maritime Academy, 1996-1999.
Skipper in the Texas Ocean Racing Circuit 1987-1989 (offshore sail racing).
US Navy Southwest Laser Championship - First place (sailing).
Foredeck (bowman) Houston Yacht Club Regattas (sailing).
Experience on sailboats including: prams, sunfish, lasers, catamarans, J-22, J-33, J-33, Merritt 25, Benetau 42, Person 36, etc.
Patrols with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Over 40 years deep sea fishing experience off Florida.

Certifications/Continuing Education

Legal Aspects of Pilotage – American Pilots Association, 2017.
Bridge Resource Management – Resolve Maritime Academy, 2016.
USCG Approved: Teach Leadership & Managerial Skills, 2015.
USCG Approved: Train the Trainer, 2014.
Electronic Chart Data Information System - Resolve Maritime Academy, 2013.
Radar Recertification - Maritime Professional Training, 2013.
STCW Training (firefighting, CPR, lifesaving, personal safety) - Maritime Professional Training, 2013.
Instructor training for Transas Navi-Sailor 4000 ECDIS, 2012.
Advanced Shiphandling - Manned Model, Maritime Pilot Institute, 2012.
Pilot Electronics - Maritime Pilot Institute, 2012.
Advanced Emergency Shiphandling - MITAGS, 2009.
Bridge Resource Management - MITAGS, 2009.
Seven Hour Electronic Navigation Systems - MITAGS, 2009.
Simulation Training - Oasis of the Seas (World's largest cruise ship) - Star Center, 2009.
Advanced Open Water Diver – PADI, 1988.

Honors/Awards

Testified: US Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Review Board,Washington D.C. - Port Everglades Dredging Project (Unanimous approval), 2015.
United States Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement Award - Operation Katrina Relief (Captain - USNS Sirius), 2007.
NOAA Award for Outstanding Voluntary Ship Observing Weather (Captain - USTS Texas Clipper II), 2004.
United States Maritime Administrator Award of Merit - Most improved ship in MARAD fleet (Captain - USTS Texas Clipper II), 2003.
AOTOS Award (Admiralty of the Ocean Sea). Award for rescue in 12’ to 15’ seas of crew aboard sailing vessel (Captain - USTS Texas Clipper II), 2003. First United States Training Ship to host a President of the United States aboard, 2003.

Advisory Committees/Professional Associations