Structure of Vessels

Jim Steffen, Principal Surveyor, has thirty three years experience in design, new construction, and repair of both commercial and pleasure vessels, in wood, fiberglass, steel, and ferrocement. He has twenty-seven years experience in Marine Survey practices.

Function of Vessels

Experience in commercial fishing includes two seasons in the longline fishery and one season in the salmon troll fishery. Sea time aboard ocean sailing vessels including 3 passages of approximately 21 days duration under sail, and 23 years experience upon the coastal waters of Southeast Alaska aboard Jim’s own 40′ cutter MOCLIPS. He has operated sail and powered vessels throughout southeast Alaska since the sale of MOCLIPS in 1995.

Repair of Vessels and Business Practices

Thirty three years operating in marine services; beginning in 1971 with three years DBA Moclips Boatworks, in Moclips Washington, during which time the ferrocement cutter MOCLIPS was constructed; five years DBA Moclips Boatworks in Port Townsend, Washington and Juneau, Alaska, performing a wide spectrum of vessel repairs, and twenty years DBA Steffenworks in Sitka, Alaska, performing repairs, conversions, new construction, and supplying boat building materials. Jim has been operating as a full-time marine surveyor since 1998.

Survey Practices

Jim Steffen has performed Condition & Valuation, and small boat appraisals for the past thirty three years in Sitka, Alaska and the surrounding area. He has been active in performing Damage Surveys and providing loss management services in the same area for the past twenty two years, and acted as a consultant for the Alaska Judicial System, the State of Alaska, corporations, and private individuals. He is trained and equipped for ultrasonic, stray current, and moisture testing on vessels.

Norcoast surveys are accepted by all major insurance companies, insurance pools, and banks doing business in this area, by the State of Alaska, Division of Commerce and Economic Development, and by the Internal Revenue Service. The normal operating range from Sitka is 1000 miles.

Certifications

• Accredited Marine Surveyor®, 1993 (AMS®- Yachts & Small Craft, Fishing Vessels) Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors®
• Qualified Individual / Spill Team Management, Incident Management System (AIMS) for Oil and Hazardous Substance Response, State of Alaska
• Level III Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training
• Certified in Uniform Standards Of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) by the Appraisal Institute