Towing Expert Witnesses

Miami, Florida

Maritime, Accident Reconstruction - Admiralty Law, Marine & Maritime Incident Analysis & Accident Reconstruction, AZIPOD Ships, Podded Ships, Commercial Vessel, Passenger, Cruise Ship, Tug, Barge, Towing, Pilot, Piloting, Navigation, Seamanship, Rules of the Road, Boating Safety, Boating Accident, Yacht, Pleasure Craft, Container Ship

After attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Captain Jacobsen served as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine for nine years. He sailed in many positions, attained his master’s license, and has been a Port of Miami harbor pilot since 1994, including serving as Chairman. He has piloted yachts, tugs & barges, and ships of all types and sizes including Azipod ships, podded ships, freighters, tankers, container ships, ferries, cruise ships, passenger vessels, naval vessels, research vessels, and tall ships. Active in boating and yachting all of his life, Captain Jacobsen is a member of a yacht club in Miami where he serves on various committees. Captain Jacobsen remains an active pilot and avid boater to this day. Harbor Pilot: actively providing State & Federal licensed pilotage services to all types of ships, including Azipod ships, cruise ships, NeoPanamax container ships, tugs & barges, yachts, and other vessels of unlimited size and tonnage in Port of Miami. Have co...

Clermont, Florida

Repossession - Wrongful Repossession, Towing Accidents, Tow Truck, Auto Repossession, Commercial Repossession, Equipment Repossession, Asset Management, Collateral Recovery, Recovery Agent, Repossessor, Repossession Agent, Breach of Peace, Tow-Truck, Towtruck

Considered the nation's leading authority on the repossession and Towing process. Mark Lacek has conducted automobile and commercial vehicle repossessions and towingfor over 45 years. Lacek has been retained to testify on professional repossession and towing industry standards. Lacek has been retained as an expert on repossession training policies and procedures. Lacek has testified in the courtroom on repossession industry standards. Lacek has provided training seminars and teaches on repossession certification and how to avoid litigation resulting in breaching the peace during the self-help repossession process across the country. Lacek has written and taught seminars on when a repossessor should retreat during a repossession and how to avoid a confrontation with a debtor. Lacek has provided seminars on when a repossessor should discontinue the repossession and come back at a later time and when the repossessor must discontinue all recovery efforts when anyone objects to the repo...

Long Island, New York

Maritime, Fire - Maritime / Marine Casualties, Admiralty, Maritime / Marine Collisions, Allisions, and/or Groundings, Marine fire / Marine fires / Marine Firefighting, Towing, Navigation Law, Underway Replenishment, Maritime Accident Investigations / Analysis / Consultation, Cargo Claims, Seaman Claims

CAPT Sean P. Tortora, M.S., U.S.M.S., is a Master Mariner with twenty-five years at sea. He is also an unlimited Master of towing vessels and Master and Commander of U.S Naval underway replenishment vessels. During his career at sea, CAPT Tortora had command of many different classes of vessels, including tankers, dry cargo, break bulk, ammunition, ocean towing, and salvage, special mission, as well as underway replenishment vessels. CAPT Tortora is a native of Long Island, New York. He is a graduate of Chaminade High School and holds a BS in Marine Transportation and MS, with honors, in International Transportation Management, both from the State University of New York Maritime College at Ft. Schuyler. He has served in the first Gulf War 1991-1992, Operation Noble Eagle—the response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, and Operation Iraqi Freedom—the second Gulf War from 2002-2010. CAPT Tortora’s decorations include U.S. Navy MSC-Command-at-Sea Designato...

Chardon, Ohio

Mechanical Engineering, Products Liability - Snowplow, snow, ice, snow and ice removal, salt spreader, towing, pintle hook, ball mount, lunette, trailer, truck, snow plow, gritter, cartridge valve, hydraulics, aftermarket truck accessories

30 years of experience in mechanical engineering working as a product engineer, developer, trainer, and communicator in the automotive, hydraulic and truck accessory industries. 19 years designing, developing, launching, and managing the SnowDogg snowplow product line while overseeing and developing a wide range of towing, lighting, and snow and ice removal truck accessories. Experience includes depositions and trial testimony in multiple liability, patent and business issues. Responsible for pursuit of corporate patents, and current holder of 4 active patents with 3 pending. Areas of expertise include: • Snowplows and related mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems • Salt Spreaders and related mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems • Truck Towing Products – Pintle Hooks, Couplers, Hitch Balls and relevant SAE standards • Truck Accessory Design and Mounting • Dealer Training and Technical Communication • Product Development, Engineering and Lifecycle Management