About TB Marine Surveyors
Our Mission
Years of Experience
Happy Clients
Successful Surveys
Our Values
Honesty
We provide clear, straightforward assessments so clients understand the true condition and value of the vessel.
Integrity
Every survey is performed with professionalism, accuracy, and respect for the standards expected by our clients and credentials.
Effeciency
We understand timing matters. From scheduling to report delivery, we work to keep the process organized, responsive, and on track.
Meet The Founder,
Captain Timothy J. Brown
- U.S NAVY VETERAN
- SAMS Marine Surveyor since 2017
Timothy J. Brown is the founder and principal surveyor of TB Marine Surveyors, based at 4300 SE Bayshore Terrace in Stuart, Florida. He provides Pre-Purchase, Insurance, Damage, and Appraisal surveys on power and sail vessels throughout the South Atlantic and Florida market, performing every survey personally — from haul-out hull inspection through sea trial — and delivering written, photo-documented reports prepared to the recommended content standards of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS®). His work is governed by the standards and recommended practices of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 302).
Tim holds the SAMS® Accredited Marine Surveyor (AMS®) credential with the Yacht and Small Craft designation, AMS® Seal #1395, awarded in May 2023. He is an ABYC Certified Master Technician with separate ABYC certifications in Advanced Marine Electrical, Marine Diesel Engines, ABYC Standards, ABYC Vessel Systems and he is accredited with the Better Business Bureau.
United States Navy
Tim’s career on salt water began in uniform. Enlisting in the U.S. Navy as a Communications Specialist (Radioman), he served afloat with Destroyer Squadron 35 (DESRON 35), where he was twice named Sailor of the Year for 1988 — Communications Sailor of the Year and the squadron’s overall Sailor of the Year. In 1989 he deployed to the Seventh Fleet aboard USS HAROLD E. HOLT (FF-1074), and received a Letter of Commendation from Rear Admiral G. L. Chesbrough, Commander Naval Surface Group Western Pacific / CTF-73 / CTF-75, for sustained excellence in HF, UHF, and satellite communications supporting ship’s force, Task Group ships, supporting aircraft, and foreign navies during bilateral exercises and surveillance operations.
From January 1990 to January 1991 Petty Officer Brown served as a small-boat operator with Special Boat Unit Twenty-Six (SBU-26), operating Riverine Patrol Boat PBR-7021 in the Panama Canal and along the Panamanian coast. His duties — helmsman, radio operator, radar operator, gunner, and engineman — and a follow-on South America deployment training foreign Special Forces in riverine warfare gave him the practical hands on familiarity with vessel systems, navigation, and seamanship that still grounds his work today. He was honorably discharged on December 1, 1994, and is a recognized veteran of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
Commercial Towing: Deck Hand to 1600-Ton Master
Stepping ashore from the Navy and immediately back onto a working vessel, Tim spent the next 27- plus years in the commercial towing industry. He worked his way deliberately from Deck Hand
through Mate to Master, accumulating thousands of sea-time hours and earning his USCG Master license. Today he holds a 1600 GRT (3000 ITC) Master of Steam or Motor Vessels Upon Near Coastal Waters credential, with an additional Master of Towing Vessels endorsement and a full slate of supporting endorsements: Radar Observer (Unlimited), Able Seaman (Unlimited), Lifeboatman, Tankerman-PIC for Dangerous Liquid cargoes, Advanced Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations, Vessel Security Officer, Advanced Firefighting, Medical First-Aid Provider, and STCW Basic Training.
He has towed vessels and cargo barges throughout the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean; commanded tractor tugs such as the 105-foot, 4,400-HP Millennium Star (Harley Marine Services / Starlight Marine Services); and made numerous transits of the Panama Canal. His operating area spans the United States, Central America, Canada, and the Caribbean, and includes
formal training in Bridge Resource Management and maritime Management Skills through the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS).
Marine Surveying
Tim formalized his transition into surveying at the Chapman School of Seamanship in Stuart, Florida, graduating from the Yacht and Small Craft Surveying program on December 15, 2017. From there he pursued continuous education in the ABYC pathway — completing Marine Electrical, Standards, and the full Master Technician program — before testing into SAMS® and earning AMS® status in May 2023.
His surveys are built around five objectives: confirm hull and structural integrity; verify running gear, underwater components, bonding, and corrosion mitigation; inspect fuel, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and safety systems to USCG and ABYC standards; load-test batteries and
document state-of-health; and deliver a defensible written record with photographs, findings categorized by safety priority, and a market-supported fair-market and replacement-cost valuation.
Experience & Credentials
We Are Trained, Certified, and Insured!
A proven track record backed by industry certifications, client references, and trusted partnerships.
ABYC Certified
Accredited Marine Surveyor
Maritime Professional Training
SAMS Certificate
SAMS Insurance Certificate
U.S. Navy — Special Boat Unit 26
United States Navy
Diesel Technician Certification
Underwater Demolition
BBB Accredited Business
60+ trips through the Panama Canal
U.S. Southern Command
Institutional Institute of Marine Surveying
Crowley
Chapman School of Seamanship
Capt. Mike Caliendo
Andre Inc.
(231) 740 – 8843
Capt. Tim Hinman
Oly. Tug & Barge, Harley Marine, USN
(360) 202 – 0285
Andrew Gauthier
Crowley
(310) 732 – 6576
Gene McCully
McCully Marine
(407) 733 – 0885
Capt. Jack Wade
USN
(317) 698 – 7896
What Working With Captain Tim Looks Like
Why clients trust us with their vessels
Trusted across South Florida, Caribbean & Central America
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Request Your FREE marine survey quote today
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