Marine Surveying Consultants: 2

AAC Marine Group, Inc. is a Florida-based Accredited and Certified Marine Surveyor providing Boat Inspection, Appraisal, and Consulting services throughout the state of Florida, including St. Petersburg, Tampa, Sarasota, Stuart, Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. From Tampa Bay to Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas of Central and South Florida, AAC Marine inspects everything from 18-ft sport-fishing boats to 700-ft yachts and cruise ships, boat engines, tugs, barges, and more – all utilizing state-of-the-art technology including maritime thermal imaging systems. 

 Captain Arlen Leiner, MMS, AMS, Principal at AAC Marine, is an Accredited Marine Surveyor, Master Marine Surveyor, and has an engineering degree from the University of Toledo. He is trained for MARPOL, SOLAS, and IMO. He uses only state-of-the-art equipment and engine computers to ensure a full and accurate survey. 

Capt. Leiner's services are available to both commercial and private entities throughout the state of Florida, to clients looking to build a vessel from 30 to a 350-foot yacht including design flaws or paint problems, what is wrong with the boat or engine, or how to run a commercial fishing business or a party fishing boat.

Capt. Leiner's services also include:

• Surveys - Pre-Purchase, Insurance, Appraisals, Damages, Trip and Tow, Tug and Barges, Workboats, Fishing Boats
• Thermal Imaging - Variations in Temperature, Defects in Parts, and the Health of Large Motors for Boats, Machinery for Manufacturing Equipment
• Offshore Fishing Charters - All Licenses Included

View Capt. Leiner's Expert Witness Profile.

George Zeitler, MSc, has over 30 years of experience in the Marine Industry in various regulatory, management, and consulting roles. He is an Accredited Marine Surveyor (Y&SC) by the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors and a Member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying.

Background Experience - Mr. Zeitler served 18 years as a USCG Marine Inspector / Casualty Investigator, and 7 years as a Class Society principal surveyor (DNV).  He then spent 1 year as VP of Operations for a niche cruise line. Mr. Zeitler went on to serve 5 years as a technical consultant for various segments of the marine industry, including 2 years as third party environmental auditor for criminal pollution cases. He has been an Accredited Yacht and Small Craft Surveyor for over 15 years. 

In 2002, Mr. Zeitler formed Zeitler Marine Services (ZMS), using his experience and knowledge to offer condition and valuation (pre-purchase and insurance) and damage survey services to the yachting and recreational boating communities in south Florida. He is currently the Director of the Chapman School of Seamanship Yacht and Small Craft survey course.

Litigation Support - Mr. Zeitler uses his vast experience verifying Compliance with Applicable Maritime Laws / Regulations through on site surveys and audits of client's vessels. His years of operational and regulatory enforcement help provide clients with a unique perspective that is key in identifying vulnerabilities onboard vessels as well as gaps in policies and procedures. He functions as a Court Appointed Monitor in situations where vessel operators are negotiating a plea agreement for a DOJ-approved Environmental Compliance Programs.

Areas of Expertise:

• Vessel Design and Construction
• Vessel Compliance with International and US Laws and Regulations
• Compliance with Federal and Voluntary (ABYC) Standards for Yachts and Small Craft
• Casualty Investigation
• Vessel Operations
• Cruise Ship Management, Operation, and Safety
• Environmental Compliance and Auditing