Wm. H. "Bill" Dobson is a decorated veteran of the United States Air Force, retired Lt. Colonel, Commander of the Special Operations Division of the St. Tammany Sheriff's Office, with more than 30 years of public service. He is the cofounder and President of Applied Marine Technology, Inc., a consulting company incorporated in 1986 that specializes in Marine Accident Investigations and Reconstruction, headquartered in Louisiana with affiliates in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

Mr. Dobson is a court-accepted expert in Marine Accident Investigation and Reconstruction, Boating Safety, Navigation, Search and Rescue, and Air Boat Operations, in numerous Federal and State jurisdictions. He serves as Executive Director of S.E.L.S.A.R., Southeast Louisiana Search and Rescue organization, which comprises more than 140 Federal, State, and Local governmental and private agencies.

Mr. Dobson served as a member of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice. He is the holder of the Airmen's Medal for heroism from the U. S. Air Force, was named the Law Officer of the Year by Kiwanis International, and is the holder of Outstanding Achievement Awards by the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association and the National Association for Search and Rescue. Mr. Dobson was selected as an Honored Member of WHO'S WHO in Law Enforcement for 1991 and was the 2003 recipient of the President's Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Areas of Expertise:

Maritime Policies and Procedures

Maritime Water Safety

Boat Accidents and Reconstruction

Boat Fires and Explosions

Air Boat Operations

Memberships & Affiliations:

International Association of Marine Investigators

Charter member of I.A.M.I. and serves on The Board of Directors for the United States

Member of American Boat and Yacht Council.

B.E.C. Consulting, LLC was established in 1982. Since that time, we have provided top-level consulting engineering services and accident reconstruction to our clients; law firms, insurance companies, state and local agencies, manufacturing companies, and clients who are seeking product design analysis and other engineering related services.

Our engineers represent a broad range of engineering disciplines which enables us to work on a variety of cases using the team approach. The teams at B.E.C are comprised of Engineers, Technical Specialists, Graphics Specialists as well as Research and Administrative Personnel, so that each case is given personal attention and is handled efficiently and effectively. We are located in Tallahassee, Florida, but are active in AL, GA, MS, TN and SC. We have worked in almost every state in the United States, including Alaska.

Areas of Expertise:

All Areas of Accident Reconstruction

Failure Analysis

Product Design

Product Development

Product Delivery

Material Handling System

Computer Animation, Electronic Graphics and Video Reenactment

Every aspect of our firm is designed to serve our clients needs; conference rooms for mediations and depositions, a research and testing lab, secured evidence storage, facilities for expert inspections, and easy access to airport and hotel facilities for our out-of-town clients. We are truly a full service engineering firm.

Because of this team approach and a commitment to customer service, B.E.C. has attained regional and national recognition as a leader in forensic engineering services and new product development. This excellent example and tireless dedication to serving our client’s needs has resulted in a devoted client base and reputation second to none.

Dr. Charles Benedict, P.E. founded Benedict Engineering Company in 1982. He has over 35 years experience in the fields of product and machine design and analysis, vehicular accident reconstruction of all types, and product and system failure analysis. He has designed, developed, manufactured, and tested more than sixty different products and machine systems. Dr. Benedict is well respected in the fields of forensic engineering, product and machine system design and analysis and patenting.

Expertise:

Biomechanics Occupant Kinematics Vehicle Restraint Systems Vehicle Controlability Material Handling Patent Infringement

Automobile Accidents Pedestrian Accidents General Engineering Product Design Fire and Explosion Analysis Tractor / Trailer Accidents Electrical Issues

Dr. Jim Dobbs, P.E. is a principle in the organization and has been practicing forensic engineering for the past 12 years. He was a design/development engineer at General Electric for a decade prior to coming to BEC Consulting. He has extensive experience in product development and design and hold several patents. He is nationally known for metallurgical failure analysis and accident reconstruction. He has particular experience and knowledge with motorcycles and tractor-trailer accidents.

Expertise:

Metallurgy Medical Devices Railroad Accidents Seat Belts and Airbags Seatback Analysis Automobile Accidents

Pedestrian Accidents General Engineering Product Design Slip / Trip / Fall Tractor / Trailer Accidents

Dr. Brian Pfeifer, P.E. is also a principle with BEC Consulting, and has been practicing forensic engineering for over 15 years. He holds several patents on roadside safety devices and studied roadside safety at the University of Nebraska. He has considerable knowledge about maintenance of traffic plans and traffic engineering. He is equally knowledgeable about accident reconstruction, especially involving tractor-trailer accidents.

Expertise:

Roadside Hazards Vehicle Controllability Occupant Kinematics Roadway Design Guardrails and Bridges Biomedical Engineering

Automobile Accidents Pedestrian Accidents Tractor / Trailer Accidents Slip / Trip / Fall Product Design General Engineering

Dr. Ying Lu

Expertise:

Biomedical Analysis Occupant Kinematics Injury Causation Low Speed Accidents Recreational Injury Sports Injury General Engineering

Accident Reconstruction Pedestrian Accidents Bicycle Accidents Slip / Trip / Fall Product Design Ergonomics Human and Environment Interaction

Mrs. Traci Campbell, P.E.

Expertise:

Industrial Accidents Safety Analysis Product Design / Failure Analysis Slip / Trip / Fall Guarding / Warnings Workplace Safety Bicycles

OSHA Regulations Pedestrian Accidents Automobile Accidents Tractor / Trailer Accidents Fire and Explosion Theme Parks Airbag and Black Box General Engineering

Mr. Chris Yates, P.E.

Expertise:

Black Box Analysis Motorcycle / Bicycle Mechanical Design Product Guarding Design Fire and Explosion Seat Belt Analysis

Automobile Accidents Pedestrian Accidents General Engineering Product Design Tractor / Trailer Accidents Slip / Trip / Fall

David E. Cole is a Retired USCG Commander with 20 years of service. Mr. Cole holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola University of New Orleans, LA, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Maritime Transportation from the State University of New York Maritime College. Mr. Cole’s maritime consulting business is practiced Nationwide. He provides various consulting services in all areas of Maritime & Admiralty, for both Plaintiff & Defense. Mr. Cole is qualified to testify in both Federal and State Courts. His 20 years service as a US Coast Guard Officer, retiring as a Commander, enables him to thoroughly analyze maritime matters.

Mr. Cole is a member of the American Bar Association, Louisiana Bar Association, New Orleans Bar Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, Maritime Law Association of the US, Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, American Boat & Yacht Council.

Consulting Services Provided:

Personal Injury & death Collisions Allisions Groundings Regulatory Analysis Jones Act Navigation Seamanship

Permitting Bridges General Maritime Safety Offshore Oil Field Vessel Access Determination of Navigable Waters Vessel Operations & Manning

Legal Services Offered:

Litigation Support Navigation Analysis Vessel Inspections Collision Analysis Deposition Appearances

Research Reports Agency Liaison Trial Appearances Standards and Regulations

David Cole is Experienced in all Types of Vessels:

Recreational Boats Personal Watercraft Barges & Fishing Vessels Tug Boats Charter Vessels

Tank Ships Passenger & Cargo Vessels Towing Vessels Crew & Supply Boats

SERVICES PROVIDED NATIONWIDE

David B. Spiegler, CCM has more than 40 years of proven experience in providing expertise across a broad spectrum of activities involving Meteorology, Climatology, and the Environment. Since the 1980s, he has provided expert analysis for more than 50 law firms and insurance companies on weather related legal and/or insurance claims. Mr. Spiegler has worked on cases in a number of states and has testified in district and superior courts, at arbitration hearings, and at environmental regulatory hearings. He has always been found to be qualified by the court.

Mr. Spiegler's cases range from slip and fall accidents, to motor vehicle, aircraft, and boating accidents, wrongful death and homicide, as well as cases for which damage to – or loss of – property from wind , snow, heavy rain, flooding, and ocean waves occurred. For many cases, he visited the site of the event and evaluated the physical and terrain factors. For all cases, he acquired, analyzed, and interpreted the weather data, reconstructed the weather at the time and location of the event/incident and/or damage or loss, and provided expert opinion and rationale for the opinion.

Services Offered:

Forensic Meteorology - build legal and insurance cases

Weather Industry Consulting - increases market share and profits

Weather and Climate Analysis - yields informed business decisions due to the impact of weather and climate

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Fisher Maritime - Our purpose is to provide quality consulting services to the maritime and offshore industries, and expert witness services consistent with our field of practice. Topics include contracts and disputes in shipbuilding, asbestos in ships, shipboard injuries, and boating accidents.

With over 30 years of experience in claims involving millions of dollars Fisher Maritime is no stranger to the intricacies of litigation, but is grounded solidly in experience in the fields of boating, maritime construction, and maritime operation.

Fisher Maritime’s professional society accredited training programs have been given worldwide to 3,000+ participants from 24 countries and over 400 organizations.

Please email or see our website for further details.

Jim Allen provides litigation support for Boating Accidents involving the operation, maintenance, navigation of vessels, and dock safety. His experience encompasses operation of vessels, both commercial and recreational in and upon the high seas, inland waterways, western rivers, inland lakes and rivers.

Jim Allen has thirty years of experience in the U S Coast Guard. Directly and indirectly involved in thousands of search and rescue cases. Conducted investigations when necessary, as well as inspected and issued citations for pleasure boats, commercial vessels, marinas, chemical facilities, bridges, tow boats and barges. Jim Allen has 17 years experience serving as a consultant and expert witness in litigation support for both plaintiff and defendant throughout the United States.

Donald J. Green, Commander, USCG (Retired) spent 23 years actively engaged in U.S. Coast Guard operations. Over the last decade, he has brought that experience to bear as a marine consultant, and expert witness. His company, KDON Marine Consulting is a network of qualified individuals with specialties that can address virtually any need.

Areas of Expertise

Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

Commercial Damages

Contract Disputes

Personal Injury/Wrongful Death (Including Collisions, Grounding and Sinkings)

Commercial Vessel Operations (Including Investigations & Evaluation)

KDON, co-operating with the Houston Exam-Prep Center, offers training to help you prepare for Marine Licensing and Certification. Together, they provide courses in Coast Guard Safety Rules & Regulations, Safe Operating Practices, Navigation Rules & Regulations, Radar Use, and Vessel Manning.

Specialties: Expert Witness & Litigation Support (evaluation of evidence; assist trial attorney in preparation of motions, examination of experts & depositions; prepare exhibits & expert report; testify); Marine/boating accident investigation reconstruction, computer simulation; Vessel collision analysis; assessment of liability culpability; Interpretation of Inland & International Rules of the Road; Operation of vessels (tankers; passenger; sailing; yachts; small boats); evaluation of officers & pilots. Forty years maritime experience; command of four Coast Guard cutters; training master aboard VLCCs. Marine casualty/Rules of the Road consultant to Admiralty Section U.S. Department of Justice.

Degrees/Licenses: BS; Master upon Oceans (USCG License); Private Pilot.

Gerald M. Dworkin is a professional Aquatics Safety & Water Rescue Consultant for Lifesaving Resources Inc. He has an extensive background in Aquatics Safety, Lifeguard Training and Operations, Water Rescue & Swiftwater Rescue, Ice Rescue & Cold Water Survival, Emergency Medical Services, and Public Safety and Rescue. Along with several textbooks, he has written and published over 40 articles, and has consulted in numerous drowning and aquatic injury litigation cases as both a Plaintiff and Defense Expert Witness.

Expert Witness Services
As an expert witness, Mr. Dworkin evaluates the Standard of Care as it pertains to Incident Prevention, Victim Recognition, and Emergency Management and provides accident reconstruction, depositions, written reports, and courtroom testimony.

His Areas of Expertise Include:

• Lifesaving, Lifeguarding and Aquatics Safety
• Water Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, and Ice Rescue
• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
• Basic Life Support
• Drowning and Aquatic Injury Prevention and Emergency Management
• Lifeguard Training and Operations

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Mitchell S. Stoller offers Consulting and Expert Witness services to Admiralty / Maritime Industry.

Experienced in testifying in Federal/State Court, Judicial Arbitration, Mediation Services.

Represented both Plaintiff and Defense in over 900 cases, including 52 trials.

Expertise covers issues relating to Blue/Brown water, Jet Skis, towing, super tankers, pleasure crafts, tugs & barges, maritime safety, safety environment, personal injury, slips & falls, fire fighting, chemical exposure, fumes, gas, & ergonomics.

Experience Summary:

Los Angeles Harbor Pilot: Piloted oceangoing vessels of any size, any gross tons, safely upon the waters of the Port of Los Angeles, to and from their berths and anchorages in accordance with local and national laws.

Captain at Exxon: Youngest Captain and holds an excellent vessel safety operational record.

Recent Accomplishments

Consultant to Florida Board of Pilot Commissioners

Featured speaker on International Safety Management (ISM) Code

Represented U.S. Coast Guard during administrative hearing regarding largest oil spill in Boston Harbor history.