Tug-Barge Expert Witness Services - Qualifications

Critical to Fisher Maritime's ability to provide unsurpassed expert witness services involving tug-barge related cases is individual backgrounds based in the maritime industry. An illustration of this background can be seen below in the summerized background of our lead tug-barge expert witness, Capt. Richard DiNapoli.

If you are interested in a more detailed background of Fisher Maritime's experience as it applies to your specific needs, please feel free to contact us.

General Background

A former tanker and tugboat captain who has also worked as a shipping company executive, Captain DiNapoli is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and holds a current Master and First-Class Pilot's license for vessels of any size. At Fisher Maritime for 15 years, Captain DiNapoli provides specialized services in marine transportation operations, contracts development, construction management, claim analyses and litigation support. From an operational perspective, he has extensive first-hand knowledge of marine transportation operations in ocean, coastal and inland venues. Additionally, his senior-level management background includes daily supervision and management of fleet operations, as well as supervision of numerous vessel design, construction and/or conversion projects and the successful administration of related contracts.

Tug-Barge Experience

Captain DiNapoli's tug-barge experience includes years of service as master aboard a variety of towing vessels, including some in excess of 4,000 horsepower. He has specific experience in the handling of many different types of barges, including oil barges of over 100,000 barrel capacity. Moreover, Captain DiNapoli has also acquired considerable pilot and ship-docking experience. Additionally, Captain DiNapoli has served as head of a tug and barge corporation's marine transportation division with responsibility for the deployment and operations of its tugboats and petroleum product barges. He has successfully supervised all phases of related marine operations including operational planning and scheduling, operational safety, vessel crewing, traffic management and dispatching staffs, maintenance/repair personnel, communications and more. In another position, Captain DiNapoli was employed as the head shiphandling instructor at a major marine simulation facility.

Expert Witness Experience

Captain DiNapoli is regularly involved with the preparation and support of client positions in connection with maritime litigation. As a recognized expert in marine operations, he has prepared and presented numerous forensic analyses of marine casualties and has been retained in connection with dozens of matters pursued or pending in federal and state courts in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

Detailed Curriculum Vitae

If you are interested in a more detailed background of Fisher Maritime's experience as it applies to your specific needs, please feel free to contact us to receive a complete CV.