Aaron Brawner
Professional Experience
2025 – Present
Consulting Engineer and Surveyor, MARTIN, OTTAWAY, van HEMMEN & DOLAN, INC. Areas of specialization include USCG certified new vessel construction oversight, damage surveys, initial certification procedures. Inspection services including hull and machinery, dry dock, wooden boats, marine composites, barge, Subchapter “M”, oil and chemical vessels, port state control, attraction vessel and C-ROD certification, steel and aluminum welding, shipboard firefighting and damage control training and vessel plan review.
2009 – 2025
U.S. Coast Guard Master Marine Inspector, Sector New York & Sector Delaware Bay
New Construction and Dry-Dock project officer.
Specialized in the inspection of wood hull and sailing small passenger vessels under 100 gross tons.
Regulatory oversight and issuance of Flag State Certificates (United States) and Certificates of Inspection for Domestic vessels.
Conducted review of vessel plans, safety management systems, repair proposals, etc. to ensure compliance with applicable laws, codes and standards.
Verifying Officer (VO) and Assistant Marine Inspector Training Officer (MITO), developed, tracked and approved qualifications of Journeymen, Apprentice, Enlisted Apprentice Marine Inspectors and Facility Inspectors. Directly supervised and conducted classroom and on-hands technical training on complex vital systems.
Developed vital inspection policies and procedures employing the Coast Guard’s Mission Management System (MMS) to integrate applicable international conventions and standards, domestic laws and regulations, policies and procedures to carry out maritime safety, security, pollution prevention, vessel and facility inspections.
2005 – 2009 & 1999 – 2002
Unit Command Chief/Deployable Team Leader, CG Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, San Diego, CA
Officer in charge of deployment and training of Law enforcement Detachment boarding teams. Deployable team leader overseeing the legal and successful prosecution of Counter Narcotics, Alien Migrant Interdiction, and Maritime Interception Operation boardings, searches, and seizures.
Committee member who helped create the Maritime Enforcement rating within the Coast Guard.
Ready for Operations evaluator helping ensure all deployable team members are trained and compliant with regulations.
1997 – 1999
USCGC SUMAC (WLR-311), St. Louis, MO
Conducted the maintenance and repair of ships fixed damage control systems, firefighting and damage control equipment.
Damage control shop welder, pipe fitter expert.
Maintenance and repair to area aids to navigation, Command Duty Officer, and Morale Officer, Engineer of the Watch (EOW), security watch stander, Buoy Deck Supervisor, Crane Operator, Small Boat Coxswain, chain saw operator, and outboard mechanic.
Education and Professional Qualifications
OSV University course (April 2024)
Marine Fire Investigation Course (September 2020)
ISO 9001 Course, Staten Island, NY (2019)
National Board Inspection Code Course, Columbus, OH (August 2018)
Diesel/Steam Automation Course, Niantic, CT (March 2018)
Foreign Passenger Course, Miami, FL (March 2018)
Sub Chapter “M” Towing Vessel Course, Niantic, CT (2018)
WEST System Boat repair workshop, Bay City, MI (February 2016)
Plan Review Course, Niantic, CT (June 2015)
ABYC Corrosion Course, Yorktown, VA (April 2014)
Commercial Fishing Vessel Course, Yorktown, VA (April 2014)
Sail Rigging Course, London, CT (2012)
Fiberglass & Wooden Boat Course, Oakland, CA (December 2011)
Marine Inspector Course, Yorktown, VA (June 2010)
Shipyard Competent Person, Yorktown, VA (June 2010)
Notable Projects
Command representative during the Ro-Ro (Grande Costa D’Avorio) fire, reported to CMD, and gave vital information to local agencies involved.
Project officer for the only Parasail vessel manufacturer (Commercial Water Sports) in the U.S. for over 30+ Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) vessels.
Certification of the first National Security Multi-Mission vessel “Empire State.”
Inspection and repair oversight following the main space fire of the vessel “Sandy Ground.”
Regulatory lead on regular major dry-dockings, to include Staten Island & Cape May ferries, USNS vessels, and various passenger, barge, and off shore supply vessels.
Assisted in the professional development of 50+ personnel by implementing training, conducting marine inspections on-the-job training as a verifying officer and member of qualification boards.
Member of the Coast Guard Marine Inspector Performance Support Architecture (MIPSA) project as a new construction and engineering team member assisting with the development of new training course material.
Member of unit MI/PSCO certification board recommending qualification of unit personnel, certification verification officer confirming Personal Qualification Standards (PQS) completeness; assisted in writing Coast Guard’s new Barge PQS standard.
Specialized in the inspection of the “A.J. Meerwald,” the official state wood sail vessel of New Jersey, during major repairs; identified hazards situation and prescribed acceptable methods for correcting these conditions, completing project on time allowing vessel to participate in Tall Ship Regatta in Philadelphia.
Served as Duty Team Lead, Marine Inspector and Port State Control Officer, directed 24-hour response to marine casualties, foreign vessel exams, and required domestic vessel inspections.
Chief Warrant Officer Association Philadelphia Chapter (non-profit organization) Vice President, responsible for running meetings and conducting volunteer opportunities.
Identified a grossly sub-standard foreign vessel (Cosette) during its annual inspection, which ultimately received a prevention of entry into the waters of the United States by the Federal Government.
Testified in federal criminal court on behalf of the U.S. against a foreign flag representative, which resulted in a guilty verdict and prevented further criminal activity.
Hurricane Sandy first responder. Conducted post hurricane assessment of the port, provided briefs to unified command, provided detail pictures of the marine transportation infrastructure to presidential executive during meeting in Hoboken.
Member of the Chemical Tanker Incident Management Team during a vessel casualty where the cargo tanks imploded on a chemical tank ship carrying ethanol and alkyl benzene. Worked closely with the local fire department and the vessel’s crew to investigate and discover three cargo and ballast tanks were compromised. Worked under the Unified Command and with the Salvage Engineering Response Team to ensure that 1.6 million gallons of ethanol and 650,000 gallons of alkyl benzene were off loaded safely preventing an explosion and pollution incident.
Memberships
Military Officers Association of America – Member
Chief Warrant Officers Association – Member
Chief Petty Officers Association – Member
Wayside Fire and Rescue Company – Volunteer Firefighter, Former President, and Truck Driver
Former Boy Scout Troop 124 Assistant Scout Master
Former member Board of Zoning Laws in Tinton Falls, NJ
Awards
Meritorious Service Medal
Coast Guard Commendation Medal with “O” device
3 Coast Guard Achievement Medals with “O” device
Navy/Marine Corp Achievement Medal
Commandant’s Letter of Commendation
8 Meritorious Team Commendation Awards with “O” device
6 Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations with “O” device
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
2 Humanitarian Service Medals
Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon
Coast Guard Sector Southeast New England Sailor of the year and Sailor of the Quarter
Coast Guard Sector NY Civilian of the year 2023
Languages
English, native
Nationality
US Citizen
Contact
620 Shrewsbury Ave.
Tinton Falls, NJ 07701
Office: (732) 224-1133
Mobile: (858) 731-1916
