Capt Joe Derie's expertise in the field of Marine Survey is attested to by his qualifications as an Accredited Marine Surveyor (Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors) and Certified Marine Surveyor (National Association of Marine Surveyors). Both SAMS and NAMS require extensive experience, continuing education, and lengthy written exams in order to be a certifed/accredited member. They each have established standards, ethics, and by-laws as the leading professional organizations in the field.

A good expert witness is a communicator who can get his point across to a layman. Joe has taught seamanship, rules of the road, marine safety, navigation and engineering at California Maritime Academy. He regularly teaches Washington and Oregon State boating safety classes and teaches “Train the Trainer” Classes for boating safety instructors for the Oregon State Marine Board. He also teaches marine technician certification classes for the ABYC.

Joe has been an expert witness for plantiffs and defendants, in both civil and criminal cases. Cases have spanned death due to negligence or unsafe acts on pleasure boats, as well as commercial fishing boats, rules of the road violations, Jones Act, accident investigations, and technical questions concerning galvanic corrosion and vessel electrical systems. He is a licensed Private Investigator in the State of Oregon.

He has taught a variety of courses for the American Boat and Yacht Council. He is rated by the ABYC as a Master Marine Technician, being certified by them as a Marine Electrical Technician, a Marine Corrosion Technician, a Marine Gas Engine Technician and a Marine Systems Technician.