Operations Executive

OBJECTIVE

A senior management position within the maritime and transportation service industry utilizing my proven skills in leading teams, managing large organizations, and developing strategies in order to improve efficiency and increase overall profitability.

QUALIFICATIONS

Accomplished Operations Executive and Master Mariner with over 30 years progressive shipboard and shore based experience with industry leaders. Demonstrated success in break-bulk, cargoes, oil cargoes, bulk cargoes, and passenger cruise vessel trade.

More than 20 years shipboard and shore-side experience on passenger cruise vessels with an exceptionally strong record of accomplishments in such diverse areas as vessel operations, financial and budget management, planned maintenance, human resource planning, safety and security management, training and development, environmental management, customer relations, and public relations.

Have held major responsibility for all of the following functional areas:

Marine Fleet Operations                                          Voyage and Itinerary Planning

Safety, Environmental, Health and Security              Policy Development

Budget and Fiscal Planning                                      Human Resources and Employee Relations

Planned Maintenance                                              Training and Development

Regulatory Compliance                                           Project Management                          

Risk Mitigation

Characterized as a dedicated professional of impeccable integrity with superior leadership skills. A team player with the ability to work with multinational and multi-cultural groups. Goal-oriented, cost conscious and highly motivated. Outstanding communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

HOLLAND AMERICA / SEABOURN CRUISE                   May 2005 - Present

Director Marine Operations – Seabourn

Operational management and oversight of the Seabourn fleet’s 6 luxury cruise ships in vessel operation, itinerary and voyage planning, budget management, maintenance, navigation, fire safety, lifesaving, workplace safety, recruitment and staff planning, and policy decisions.

• Directed, coordinated, and supported      the day to day operations which have shown consistent high standards of maintenance with no operational loss time.
• Coordinated and developed itineraries with      marketing for worldwide cruises. The itineraries focused on passenger satisfaction, operational efficiency as well as revenue opportunities. The resulting Net Promoter Scores have increased by 11% over the past two years.
• Developed corporate policy and      guidance for safety, environmental, sanitation and security procedures for compliance by the fleet personnel. Standardization of the policies and    procedures resulted in efficient operations and increased skills of crew.
• Developed, managed, and conducted operational and safety management audits and inspections of fleet ships for compliance oversight to company, federal and local maritime regulatory standards. Recommended corrective actions and process improvement.
• Prepared budgets and Capital Expenditure (CE) requests for special projects to the tune of $ 500,000+. The detailed project objectives, goals and justifications resulted in CE approvals for full funding requests.      
• Planned and managed the Antarctic program initial and seasonal operational readiness. Liaised and coordinated with Expedition Leader two (2013-2014 & 2014-2015) successful seasons of Seabourn’s Antarctic program. The program has significantly increased net yields and onboard revenue since implementation. 
• Represented Holland America Group on International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators’ Executive and Marine Committees to promote safe and sustainable operations in Antarctica. Some of these procedures have resulted in greater awareness of operational safety in a sensitive area.
• Liaised with international, Federal,      Classification and US Coast Guard administrations to foster organization relationships to reduce operational impact by expediting approval of    certifications in shortest durations.

 Deputy Director Nautical Operations – Holland America Line

Provide corporate support and liaison with fleet’s Captains and onboard marine departments to direct, coordinate, and oversee day to day operations in navigation, lifesaving, safety, and stability functions. Develop policy for marine operational procedures and processes.

• Conducted operational oversight inspections and audits of fleet to ensure regulatory compliance. These mandatory inspections and audits increased operational efficiencies and minimized operational non-compliance by over 30%. 
• Negotiated renewal and upgrades of safety and lifesaving equipment and ships’ stability programs totaling over $750,000. These upgrades brought maintenance in-house and reduced operational costs by about 15%.
• Championed and led technology programs for Bridge operations management to increase efficiency and reduce workload for the vessel crew. These programs have led to reducing costs of log books and stationary, reducing work load for crew, while increasing accuracy of entries and document retention.    
• Conducted safety and navigation related incidents and accidents investigations. Prepared investigation reports with analysis, recommendations for corrective action and lessons learned for corporate and fleet.
• Liaised and coordinated with Federal, Classification and Post State authorities to plan external inspections and certifications.  
•  Represented the company as a member of the North West Cruiseship Association’s Operations and Technical Committee.
• Conducted inspections of port terminals and facilities and made recommendations for future business development. Produced feasibility reports for operations.
• Chaired the company’s Fleet Safety Committee to oversee the occupational and maritime safety program and review of the onboard Safety Committees.  

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD.,                                      1988 - 2004

Captain: 1996 -2004

Overall responsible for the ship’s operations, navigation, maintenance, safety, finance, hospitality, customer relations, human resources, and environmental management. Coordinated with International, Federal and Local authorities to ensure regulatory compliance with maritime regulations. Chairman of ship’s Executive Management. Direct Reports – Staff Captain, Chief Engineer, & Hotel Director.

• Led, as Captain, teams of      multinational employees on multimillion-dollar luxury cruise-lines, from      navigation, engineering, safety, hospitality, guest relations, staff      relations, accounting, facility, food & beverage, and entertainment      departments in implementing and furthering the organizational goals. This      resulted in increased efficiency, better product delivery, and recognition      as one of the best-managed ship in the company’s fleet.
• Analyzed, developed and administered      the annual operating plan for the ship, and department which was presented      to the corporate executive management. Proven results with actual      operating expenses maintained within plan for consecutive years.
• Coordinated and implemented the ISO 9000, 9002      & 14001 Quality Assurance, Safety and Environmental Management      programs. Achieved regulatory compliance certification, one year prior to      industry deadline.
• Planned and coordinated vessel dry-dockings and wet dockings for large      cruise ships for repair and maintenance as well as refits and upgrades.      Achieved project completions on schedule without major safety or      environmental incidents.

Staff Captain: 1993-1996

Second-In Command and Department Head for Deck Department. Ship’s Safety, Security and Ethics Officer. Directed safety, security, maintenance, and non-engineering facility management functions. Planned and coordinated vessel dry-dockings and refits. Direct Reports – Chief Officer, Safety Officer, Security Officer, Environmental Officer.

Chief Officer/Safety Officer: 1990-1993

Cadet Officer – First Officer: 1980-1990

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATIONS

Bachelor of Science Business Administration (Honors) – City University, Bellevue, WA.

Diploma in Applied Science, Shipmaster (Honors) – Australian Maritime College. .

Master Class I (Australia); Master Unlimited (Liberia), Master Class I (Bahamas).

Quality Management Systems ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Certificate – Lloyds Register.

Environmental Management System ISO 14001 Lead Auditor Certificate – Lloyds Register.

Security Officer: Vessel, Company & Facility – USCG; Pacific Maritime Institute.

OSHA 40 Hour General Industry Certificate – OSHA Institute of America.

Vessel Sanitation Program Certificate – US Public Health / Center for Disease Control.

Introduction to the Incident Command System ICS 100 – FEMA Emergency Management Institute.

Incident Investigation Certification – Det Norske Veritas, Norway.

Maritime Instructor Certification – US Coast Guard.

Human Relations and Management Certification – Australian Maritime College.

Crisis Management & Human Behavior Certification – STCW; Royal International.

Leadership Excellence and Achievement Program Certification (Achieve Global Leadership + Harvard Manage Mentor).

Certified Hospitality Supervisor – American Hotel & Lodging Association.