Business Details
39 Years
experience
Marine Expertise Since 1987
Since 1987, Knox Marine Consultants has established itself as a premier provider of marine expertise, specializing in boat and yacht appraisal, marine accident investigations, warranty claims, and product liability analysis. Our founder, Steve Knox, combines a nuclear engineering background with over 35 years of hands-on experience conducting thousands of damage surveys and investigations. As a Registered Professional Engineer (Emeritus) in Virginia and holder of prestigious accreditations from the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) and American Society of Appraisers (ASA), we bring unparalleled technical proficiency to every case. Our team excels at translating complex marine engineering concepts into clear, actionable insights for legal proceedings, having testified in federal and state courts across the eastern United States.With a client base spanning boat owners, insurance companies, and legal professionals, we maintain strict impartiality while delivering fact-based conclusions. Our expertise extends to developing marine industry standards through active participation in the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Technical Board, ensuring our methodologies remain at the forefront of industry best practices. Whether conducting vessel appraisals for 20-foot pleasure crafts or 200-foot yachts, or investigating complex warranty claims, our commitment to precision and transparency has made us a trusted authority in marine litigation support. Our geographic reach extends beyond the Eastern United States, with international experience in locations such as Athens, Halifax, and the Pacific Northwest.
Services
Boat Appraisal
Marine Accident Investigation
Warranty Claims Analysis
Product Liability Assessment
Expert Testimony
Vessel Damage Surveys
Collision Reconstruction
Technical Standards Consultation
Insurance Claims Evaluation
Yacht Valuation
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- 35+ years of marine investigation experience
- Certified by leading marine industry organizations
- Testified in federal and state courts nationwide
- Developed marine industry technical standards
- Impartial expert analysis for all clients
Associations and certifications
- Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS)
- American Society of Appraisers (ASA)
- American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC)
Services
Boat Appraisal
Our certified marine appraisers provide accurate valuations for yachts and small vessels. Utilizing industry standards and market data, we deliver comprehensive appraisal reports for insurance, legal, or sale purposes. Our appraisals consider vessel condition, specifications, and market trends to ensure precise valuations.
Marine Accident Investigation
We conduct thorough investigations into marine accidents and collisions. Our engineers analyze evidence, reconstruct events, and determine contributing factors. Our findings provide clear technical explanations for legal proceedings or insurance claims resolution.
Warranty Claims Analysis
Our team investigates warranty claims to identify failure causes and assess coverage validity. We examine manufacturing defects, maintenance issues, and operational factors. Our impartial reports help insurers and policyholders understand claim determinations.
Expert Testimony
Certified marine experts provide courtroom testimony in federal and state jurisdictions. We explain technical findings clearly to non-technical audiences. Our testimony covers accident reconstruction, valuation methods, and industry standards.
Product Liability Assessment
We analyze marine product failures to determine liability and safety compliance. Our engineers assess design, construction, and maintenance factors. Our reports identify whether products met industry standards at time of manufacture.
People
Steve Knox
Founder
BS in Nuclear Engineering, Registered Professional Engineer in Virginia, SAMS Charter Member, ASA Accredited Senior Appraiser, and ABYC Technical Board member with 35+ years of marine investigation experience.
Questions
Do you handle boat appraisal assignments?
Yes, Steve Knox specializes in boat appraisals and has published technical articles on the subject.
Can you investigate insurance claims?
We determine the cause and origin of failures to assess policy coverage for marine losses.
Do you work with boat owners directly?
Approximately one-third of our expert work is performed for private boat owners.
Are you qualified for commercial vessel cases?
Our practice focuses on pleasure boats but includes small commercial vessel collision investigations.
What boat sizes do you handle?
We conduct appraisals for vessels ranging from 20-foot boats to 200-foot yachts.
Can you testify about accident reconstruction?
Steve Knox has qualified as an expert in boat accident reconstruction in multiple jurisdictions.
Reviews (1)
Yiannis Choutris
Feb 14, 2022
Report
Completely unprofessional and clueless! Had an insurance claim and the insurance company hired Knox Marine to come do the survey. The inspector was very aggressive from the beginning and had no idea what he was doing. He stated to my mechanic that he wasn't feeling well and he couldn't perform the inspection. He climbed on the boat and took pictures of rust and closed the claim stating "lack of maintenance" we are talking about surface stains.
Normal on any boat! We challenged the "findings" and he came back and stated the damage was due to water coming in from the drive. We took the drive off and submitted pictures of the drive and bellows completely dry and packed with grease. The same surveyor comes back and states "then you need to tell them what the problem is" Stay clear at all costs! We are going to end up having to take legal action on a simple claim.
Normal on any boat! We challenged the "findings" and he came back and stated the damage was due to water coming in from the drive. We took the drive off and submitted pictures of the drive and bellows completely dry and packed with grease. The same surveyor comes back and states "then you need to tell them what the problem is" Stay clear at all costs! We are going to end up having to take legal action on a simple claim.
