pacific marine surveyors logo
My professional expertise is in the field of small craft; pleasure craft, fishing boats and small passenger vessels to approximately 125 feet in length.

My formal training began in high school where I specialized in mechanical design and supplemented those classes with engine mechanics, wood and metal shops. I was appointed to and accepted by the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, NY. I decided not to attend as the end of the Viet Nam war left a large surplus of merchant marine officers. Instead I majored in accounting and business administration. Following college I took formal training in small boat design.

My marine experience began in 1957 when I made my first crossing of the Columbia River bar at the age of six. From 1965 through 1968, I worked as a deck hand on a charter fishing boats. In 1969, I obtained a Motor Boat Operator's license from the U. S. Coast Guard. This allowed me to operate small passenger vessels with six passengers. In 1971 I obtained an Ocean Operator's license. This allowed me to operate vessels to 100 gross tons with any number of passengers. From 1971 until 1979 I owned and operated charter fishing vessels to 56 feet in length. During this period I also free lanced in boat design and repair, as well as doing all of the maintenance and repairs to my own vessels.

In 1979 I started working full time in vessel design. From 1979 to 1988 I was Director of Engineering at Modutech Marine, Inc. in Tacoma, WA. My responsibilities were new vessel design and construction quality control. I also estimated new and repair projects. During my employment produced 35 new designs of vessels to 110 feet, which were constructed into over 100 vessels many were to ABS, DNV, USCG (subchapter T) and USN requirements. I was also instrumental in acquiring and successfully completing 26 government contracts worth over $6,000,000. I also did vessel sea trials and deliveries, which included deliveries from San Diego, CA to Seward, AK as well as on the Florida Gulf Coast, Chesapeake Bay and James River , VI.

In 1988 I became Senior Engineer at C. A. Surdyke and Company, involved in yacht design, construction and refitting. From 1988 to 1989 I was responsible for the management and daily activities of the design department. This included personnel management, budgets and estimating construction work. In addition, I personally developed and implemented a computer aided design (CAD) system. During the company's bankruptcy I acted as shipyard superintendent.

With the closing of C. A. Surdyke, I was approached by several owners to complete the work that was in progress on their vessels. At that time I started Marine Technical Services, Incorporated (MARITECH). From 1989 to 1992, MARITECH successfully completed two yacht refitting projects worth $2,500,000. I was responsible for all aspects of corporate and construction management.

In 1992, with the instability in vessel construction and repair, I changed to the marine survey field. From 1992 to 1994 I was employed in Seattle by The Marine Surveyors, Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, FL. During this time I specialized in casualty and risk surveys for approximately 60 insurance companies including: Boat US, USAA, State Farm, Allstate, Leisurecraft, Royal, Albany, Safeco and Pemco.

In 1994 I became a partner in David Holdsworth & Associates, Marine Surveyors and Consultants. As a partner in the firm my responsibilities are to oversee the casualty and risk areas of the survey practice. In addition, I am responsible for daily operations and office management. As a surveyor, my practice was expanded to include condition and valuation surveys. At this time David Holdsworth & Associates provides direct contract representation for approximately forty financial institutions and insurance companies. In 1997, I was awarded the contract from Sea-Land Service as the sole surveyor in the Seattle area for lifeboats and small craft, which are required to meet USCG and SOLAS standards.

As a consultant with David Holdsworth & Associates I specialize in vessel design, construction and construction management. Since coming to the firm I have routinely consulted on boat yard management practices. During my time at David Holdsworth & Associates I have consulted on several large construction projects, including design and construction of two large "sub-chapter T" passenger vessels, and project management and construction a three 65 foot and one 72 foot custom motoryachts. Finally, I have provided expert witness consultation and testimony for seven cases to date.

In 1998, I started my own firm, Pacific Marine Surveyors, to better serve my clients. As owner and senior surveyor I am involved in every aspect of the marine surveying profession, including accident investigation and expert witness services. In 1998 and 1999 I served as the port surveyor for Sea Land Shipping Lines lifeboat rehabilitation project. In addition, I have consulted on several construction projects including two 24 foot steel Docking Tugs for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, eleven 28 foot Barrier Boats for the U. S. Navy and a 58 foot fiberglass crew boat for the National Park Service, a 64 foot aluminum work boat for the U. S. Navy, five 78 foot passenger boats for the U. S. Navy and an 85 foot patrol craft for the U. S. Coast Guard.

In 2000, as a consultant, I created and implemented a U. S. Navy approved ISO 9002 quality assurance program for a local small craft manufacturer. In addition, in 2007 I became the Port Captain and in 2008 the Ship Manager, for the Steamship Virginia V, the sole surviving steamship of the Puget Sound mosquito fleet.

The following is a summary of my marine related training:
1969 Coast Guard Motor Boat Operator's license, Portland, OR.
1971 Coast Guard Ocean Operator's license, 50 gross tons, Portland, OR.
1973 Westlawn School of Yacht Design, Yacht design course, Greenwich, CT.
1975 Coast Guard license increased to 100 gross tons, Portland, OR.
1981 Westlawn School of Yacht Design, Design refresher course, Greenwich, CT.
1984 Society of Small Craft Designers, Member, Chicago, IL.
1985 Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, Assoc. Member, New York, NY
1987 Reicold Plastics Company, Marine Fiberglass Resins Seminar, Tacoma, WA.
1988 Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, Member, Jersey City, NJ.
1989 Marine Corrosion Seminar, Electroguard Manufacturing Company, Seattle, WA.
1991 Coast Guard license converted to Coastwise Master's, 100 tons, Seattle, WA.
1992 Coast Guard license endorsed for commercial towing, Seattle, WA.
1993 University of Washington, Cored Fiberglass Laminates Seminar, Seattle, WA.
1994 American Boat and Yacht Council, Member, Edgewater, MD.
1994 American Boat and Yacht Council, AC/DC Electricity Seminar, Seattle, WA.
1994 Master, Mates and Pilots School, Radar and Collision Avoidance, Seattle, WA.
1994 Coast Guard license endorsed for Radar Observer, Seattle, WA.
1995 National Fire Protection Association, Member, Quincey, MA.
1995 American Boat and Yacht Council, Codes and Standards Seminar, Seattle, WA.
1995 Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors, Surveyor Associate, Jacksonville, FL
1996 U S Coast Guard, Passenger Vessel Regulations Seminar, Seattle, WA.
1996 International Boatbuilder Exhibition, Surveying Aluminum Vessels, Seattle, WA
1996 Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors, Accredited Marine Surveyor, Jacksonville, FL.
1996 International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI), Member, Beverly, MA.
1996 IAMI, Marine Investigators Training Seminar, San Diego, CA.
1997 American Boat and Yacht Council, AC/DC Electricity Seminar, Seattle, WA.
1997 West Radio School, Marine Radio Installation Seminar, Costa Mesa, CA.
1997 Federal Communications Commission, Technician License, Costa Mesa, CA.
1997 American Society of Naval Engineers, Member, Alexandria, VA.
1997 Federal Communications Commission, Advanced License, Seattle, WA.
1997 American Boat and Yacht Council, Accident Investigation Seminar, Atlanta, GA.
1998 American Boat and Yacht Council, Galvanic Corrosion Seminar, Oakland, CA.
1998 American Boat and Yacht Council, Marine Surveyor's Workshop, Oakland, CA.
1998 Washington Bar Association, Maritime Injury Seminar, Seattle, WA.
1999 U. S. Navy, ISO 9000 Quality Assurance Training, Everett, WA.
2000 American Boat and Yacht Council, Accident Investigation Seminar, Seattle, WA.
2001 Professional Association of Dive Instructors, Open Water Certificate, Seattle WA.
2002 Professional Association of Dive Instructors, Advanced Open Water, Morehead City, NC.
2002 National Association of Underwater Instructors, Wreck Survey, Morehead City, NC.
2003 Professional Association of Dive Instructors, Wreck Penetration, Morehead City, NC.
2004 Professional Association of Dive Instructors, Rescue Diver, Morehead City, NC.
2006 Professional Association of Dive Instructors, Master Diver, Morehead City, NC.
2007 Port Captain, Steamship Virginia V Foundation, Seattle, WA.
2008 Ship Manager, Steamship Virginia V Foundation, Seattle, WA.
2009 U. S. Coast Guard, New Requirements for Uninspected Passenger Vessels, Seattle, WA.
2010 Fremont Marine, STCE Basic Safety Training, Seattle, WA.
2010 U. S. Coast Guard, New Requirements for Uninspected Towing Vessels, Seattle, WA.
2010 U. S. Coast Guard, New Requirements for Uninspected Fishing Vessels, Seattle, WA.
2011 International Marine Surveyors Guild, Certified Marine Surveyor, Bothell, WA.
2012 International Marine Surveyors Guild, Master Marine Surveyor, Bothell, WA.
2013 SNAME, Sailing Yacht Performance Analysis, Bellevue, WA
2013 SNAME - ANSE, Marine Engineering, Bellevue, WA
2016 NMTA, Boat Electrical Systems, Seattle, WA
2018 ABYC, Marine Law Symposium, Charleston, SC
2019 ABYC, Marine Law Symposium, Seattle, WA

Darryl L. Heasley CMS
Senior Surveyor
pacific marine surveyors footer