Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

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 Designator, U.S. Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal with bronze cluster, Operational Noble Eagle Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. CAPT Tortora is a an officially recognized expert in marine firefighting, maritime operations, bridge resource management, and marine accident analysis by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York; US District Court for Eastern District of New York; and the US District Court for the Central District of California. He is the author of the textbook, "Study Guide for Marine Fire Prevention, Firefighting, and Fire Safety," published by Cornell Maritime Press; and the author of the travelogue, "Steaming to Djibouti My First Hitch on an Underway Replenishment Ship." published by Red Penguin Books. In addition, CAPT Tortora has been published in several maritime industry periodicals including Professional Mariner and Maritime Professional. CAPT Tortora currently serves as Full Professor in the Department of Marine Transportation at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York, specializing in Marine Firefighting, Bridge Resource Management, Ship handling, Towing, and Vessel Security.