EXPERT WITNESS • MARINE CLAIMS • VESSEL INSPECTIONS

Accredited Marine Surveyor since 1993, full time practicing marine surveyor since January 1990. Expertise in recreational and commercial vessels. Regional Director of Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) for 2 years. Prominent member of numerous other industry organizations. Unwavering commitment to continued education and tracking current regulations, industry trends, and market conditions. Ability to understand technical functions from multiple angles and explain them clearly in lay-person terminology. Accomplished speaker, writer, educator, and communicator. Raised the bar for quality customer service. Licensed insurance adjuster.

Integrity • Impeccable Reputation • Ethical • Diligent

CHRISTIAN & COMPANY MARINE SURVEYORS, San Diego, California 1995–PRESENT
PRINCIPAL

• Manage day-to-day operations of business and staff. Conducted/oversaw 2,000 marine insurance claims and 6,000 condition and valuation inspections for wood, fiberglass, steel, aluminum, and ferro cement pleasure yachts, commercial passenger vessels, and commercial fishing vessels. Travel globally to assist with claims and vessel inspections.
• Provide expert witness testimony with adherence to the highest of standards as set forth by the American Boat and Yachting Council, the National Fire Protection Agency, and the United States Coast Guard. Ascribe to the Code of Ethics and By Laws of SAMS.
• Developed a thorough system of inspecting vessels inclusive of the following: structural integrity analysis, dry dock inspections, sea trials, electrical systems, propulsion system, fuel system, machinery, navigation, overall cosmetic appearance, and general condition.
• Attend continuing education events, including International Boat Builders Exposition seminars, numerous American Boat and Yachting Council seminars, and local, regional, and national symposiums for SAMS.
• Developed a program for State Farm Insurance geared toward training their marine claims managers and adjusters. Created text and course materials and taught classes.

THE MARINE SURVEYORS, INC., Jacksonville/Orlando/San Diego 1990–1995
REGIONAL MANAGER/FIELD TECHNICIAN

• Performed over 2,000 claims assignments for recreational and commercial vessels.
• Determined cause of loss; performed inspections to determine claim-related damages.
• Served as liaison between policy holders and repair facilities. Negotiated repair costs. Obtained
discounts when appropriate.
• Performed over 1,500 condition and valuation surveys for underwriters and buyers.
• Oversaw hiring and training of technicians for the Jacksonville, Orlando, and Seattle offices.
• Played key role in the San Diego area for marketing, developing new business, and providing services (including P & I theft claims and expert witness services in County and Federal courts).

MARASSIST, INC., Jacksonville, Florida 1988–1990
GENERAL MANAGER

• Managed a repair business for commercial and recreational vessels up to 80 feet long.
• Supervised start to finish work for general maintenance, painting, and electrical repairs.
• Provided preparatory education for United States Coast Guard Captain’s license examinations. Implemented a comprehensive training program for the Marine Division of the Jacksonville Fire Department.
• Delivered vessels to destinations in the United States and Bahama Islands.

• In charge of operating a river taxi service consisting of 4 vessels carrying 26 passengers each.
• Provided general maintenance and repair services.
• Oversaw passenger safety issues in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS), #301, Regional Director (2001–2003), current member
International Association of Marine Investigators, member, 2003–present
American Boat and Yachting Council (ABYC), member, 1995–present
San Diego Port Tenants Association, member, 1995–present
Marine Underwriters of Southern California, member, 1995–present
San Diego Insurance Adjusters Association, member, 1993–present

CERTIFICATION/LICENSING/EDUCATION

American Boat & Yachting Council Standards Accreditation, 2006
Extensive continuing education, including SAMS and NAMS regional, national and international symposiums, ABYC training programs, IBEX (International Boatbuilding Exposition) conferences, etc…
Vessel Fire Fighting Certificate (United States Coast Guard Approved), Pyrotechnical Institute Inc., 1989–present.
Lifeboat Competency Certificate, United States Coast Guard, 1989–present
Diesel Engine Service Training, Caterpillar, 1992
Insurance Adjusters License (#2819521), State of California, 1993–present
Captains License, Commercial Assistance Towing Endorsement (vessels up to 50 gross tons),
United States Coast Guard, 1988–1998
B.S., Mathematics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 1987

Rates

July 2011 rates - Research and preparation $200/hr.
Deposition and Testimony $300/hr.
Travel charge at above rates, unless otherwise arranged.
Daily rates are quoted on a per job basis. These rates start at $3,000 per day.

Testimony History

2011 Goode vs. Hunter Marine, Nautical Enterprises, and others
Case # SC103453 Los Angeles County, CA State Court
Law & Kolakowski, attorneys -- Douglas D. Law

2010 Gluck v Tiara Yachts, Volvo Penta, etc.
Ventura County case no. 56-2009-00362990-CU-BC-VTA
Greenburg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP
attorneys Lee Dresie and Dan Nabel

2007 Barry Fitt v. Markel Insurance
San Diego case no. 05CV1337, attorney Peter Porter

2006 N & MD Investment Corp. V. Driscoll Mission Bay LLC,
cross defendant Marine Tech, San Diego, CA
Lindahl, Schnabel, Kardasskis & Beck LLC, for Marine Tech

2005 Tabaz v. New Hampshire Insurance & Hayden Insurance
Orange County, CA, Claypool Law Firm, for Hayden Insurance

2005 O’Rourke v. A.I.G., Orange County
Sands Lerner, attorney, Neal Lerner

2002 (circa) Individual v. Individual & MacDonald Yacht Sales
San Diego, CA

2001 (circa) Fountain speed boat submersion, Yorath Yachts, Orange County

2000 (circa) Individual v. Zurich Insurance
San Diego, CA, on behalf of Zurich Insurance

2000 (circa) Individual v. German shipwright, San Diego

Litigation support cases:

2009 Estate of Vincent Martin vs. T.L. Dallas, LTD. and Great Lakes Reinsurance (U.K.), case no. 2:08-cv-00546-DGC (2009), Gordon & Rees, LLP
attorney George Soares

2010 Hyatt Corporation, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Civil No. 07-00485 ACK BMK (Admiralty), Gibson Robb & Lindh LLP, attorney Peter Lindh

2009 Dean Taylor v. James R. Sechrist, Ocean Seacrest LLC, Newport Beach, CA
Gibson Robb & Lindh LLP, attorney Marissa Huber

2008 Freiwirth v. EDL Investment Group
California Superior Court, Los Angeles CA
Case # BC 375708 Attorney David Molinari, Bremer Hwyte Brown & O'Meara LLP

2009 William Young v. Travelers Insurance, Newport Beach, our file number 11786

2008 Eric Dillerud v. Dufour Yachts, San Diego and international, our file 30173

2007 West Coast Power Cats, San Diego, our file numbers 30147 and 30150

1999 Marriage of Brown, San Bernardino Superior Court, attorney Sherry A. Thompson

+Arbitrations, mediations and other matters

2009 Klein and Assurant Bankers Insurance Co., arbitrator, our file 30189

2008 Consultations for San Diego Unified Port District, attorney, Ellen Miles, circa 2008

2007 (circa) Crewman v. boat owner, mediation with attorney Douglas Holthaus
San Diego

Two occasions with attorney Jim Alcantara, Alcantara & Associates, San Diego, CA

1995 (circa) Boat owner and Cay’s Yacht Sales/Dan Cornwell mediation on behalf of vessel insurance carrier

Small claims court assistance on numerous occasions

1276 Scott Street
San Diego, CA 92106

800-944-4789
619-223-7380

kellschristian@cox.net

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