Thank you for visiting my site and considering me for your survey needs. I'd like to share a bit about my years in the industry and hope you'll feel even more confident about selecting Rebelo Marine Surveys!
My love for the water began in the late 1950's when, as a kid, I used to ride my Schwinn bicycle down to the Hudson River boat yards. Pirate's Cove Marina, next to the railroad tracks in Yonkers, was my favorite place to go.
I’d hang out for hours watching men working on the wooden boats. If I was really lucky, sometimes I'd even get to help! Not only did I love boats and working on them then, I still do - all these years later.
When I was about eight, I joined the United States Volunteer Life Saving Corps, a Sea Explorer chapter.
I have never been an "arm chair sailor". In fact, I’m what the maritime industry calls a 'hawse piper" - meaning a guy who came up the hard way. I started my career on the water by cleaning bilges and eventually worked my way up to master. I've captained commercial and private vessels as my primary living for over 30 years.
As a working captain, it was my responsibility to know everything about a vessel’s systems and structure, and I learned by actual hands-on experience. I’ve also done cosmetic and structural repairs on boats of all types and sizes for decades.
I even learned how to dive in order to clear fouled running gear and for salvage work (though very seldom for sport).
Since 1992, I've been an active member of a maritime professional organization known as 'SAMS' - The Society of Marine Surveyors - after graduating second in my class from the renowned Chapman School of Seamanship in Stuart, FL. I'm a member of the American Boat and Yacht Council, also since the early 90's, and am a retired member of the Seaman's International Union, a professional maritime union, closing in on 30 years.
I attend educational seminars to keep up with changes in the industry and to maintain my standing in SAMS. I really enjoy doing speaking engagements focusing on interesting aspects of the boating industry as well.
When it comes to surveying, I find experience always speaks louder than fancy credentials. And right now, I'm the most senior marine surveyor in the New York tri state area (and possibly Florida).
I truly enjoy having you, the buyer (or seller) with me as I do a survey. I'm committed to sharing my knowledge so your knowledge of the vessel increases exponentially. Clients value my surveys because I don’t overlook a thing, good or bad, am priced fairly, and I get their results back in a timely manner.