Growing up in a boat-building community in Norway

About

In 1980 - after completing 15-months compulsory service in the Norwegian Army Corps of Engineers, inclusive of requisite pre-engineering classes, Tom accepted a position as a mechanic in the local ship yard in his home town of Hemnesberget, Norway (picture above). Work included installation of vital systems for commercial fishing vessels including hydraulic steering systems, cranes, net-haulers, diesel engine installations and configurations, generators, and pump systems. That experience helped bolster a broad knowledge base of critical vessel systems and after four years in the shipyard in addition to completing additional engineering courses, Tom was hired by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as a Ship Mechanic, and within two years was selected to attend training in Sweden to become a Marine Refrigeration Engineer for the company. Consequently, his tenure included contracts on 4 different ships before leaving the company.

Many additional years in the Mechanical and Automation Industries working on complex mechanical and control systems, provided the additional technical insight required to fully understand and assess modern vessel systems.

Tom’s experience as a ship mechanic and refrigeration engineer working on multiple different systems on larger ships, plus extensive work with recreational boats from 20' to over 50' in size help position him to survey power vessels of all sizes. Since 2019, my focus has been on clients who own or are planning to purchase a pleasure craft.

As of July 2024 - over 350 recreational vessels have been surveyed by Hemnes Marine Surveys.

RECENT ACTIVITIES:

SAMS® 2024 Pacific Regional Meeting in Newport Beach CA. (February 15 - 16). We had several guest speakers and experts from the Marine Industry talk to us about current trends, new Marine Electrical and Electronics, Fire Safety Systems, Professional conduct and ethics, and much more.

SAMS® IMEC 2023 (October 25 - 28) in Montreal, Canada.

IMEC is the International Meeting and Educational Conference for SAMS® (Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors). This year close to 200 Marine Surveyors (plus guests) attended the event. IMEC is a great way to connect and network with existing and new colleagues, and also listen to the guest speakers and experts from the Marine Industry.

Memebrships & qualifications

SAMS® (Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors)

• AMS® (Accredited Marine Surveyor)

• Member since 2019

ABYC® (American Boat & Yacht Council)

• Marine Electrical Advisor Certification

• Member since 2019

NMEA® (National Marine Electronics Association)

• Marine Electronics Installer certification

• Member since 2019

NFPA® (National Fire Protection Association)

• Subscriber since 2020

Boat U.S.

• Member since 2015

The picture

The above picture was taken in Hemnesberget, Norway in 1984.

4 fishing vessels, all built in the town’s largest ship yard, where they came in for service and repairs all at the same time.

Some of these boats are still in service today.