About Us
Captain Eric’s Bio
Captain Eric Takakjian has been sailing ships and oceangoing tugboats to various corners of the world since 1978. Currently Captain Takakjian is sailing as master of an 505’ oceangoing articulated tug barge unit, (ATB), engaged in the Jones Act petroleum transportation trade. Captain Takakjian holds a 1600 / 3000 ton upon oceans masters license, with first class pilotage endorsements for vessels of any gross tons, as well as a master of towing vessels upon oceans endorsement. Captain Takakjian is also a U.S. Coast Guard Designated Examiner for applicants engaged in the Towing Officer Assessment Record, TOAR requirement process. Additionally Captain Takakjian holds numerous certifications and endorsements under the STCW code, as set forth by the International Maritime Organization, IMO. Over the course of his career, Captain Takakjian has sailed aboard coastwise and ocean going tugboats, cargo ships, passenger vessels, research vessels, Coast Guard Cutters and the worlds first dynamically positioned deepwater drill ship.
Captain Eric began surveying in the mid 1980’s as an in house surveyor for a shipping company he was working for. This primarily involved preparing vessels for U.S. Coast Guard topside and drydock inspections, and ABS class inspections for hull and machinery. In 1994 Captain Eric became an independent mariner surveyor, conducting surveys on commercial and recreational vessels.
Eric is a member of the American Boat and Yacht Council, ABYC, and is an ABYC certified Master Marine Technician, with specialties in electrical, corrosion and marine systems. Eric is also a member of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors, SAMS®, with a Surveyor Associate in Yachts and Small Craft designation.
Captain Eric has trained many professional mariners in all aspects of seamanship, navigation, ship handling, shipboard operations and safety. Many of his former students are now captains of commercial vessels. Some are now harbor pilots.
Professional affiliations
Member, Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors, SAMS
Member, American Boat and Yacht Council, ABYC
Member, National Fire Protection Association, NFPA
Member, Steamship Historical Society of America, since 1989, board of directors since 2016
National Fellow, The Explorers Club
Associate Member, Boston Sea Rovers
Certifications
USCG Licensed Master 1600/3000 tons upon oceans, first class pilot vessels any gross tons
USCG Licensed Master of towing vessels upon oceans
USCG Designated Examiner
STCW / IMO certifications; ARPA automated radar plotting aids, ECDIS electronic charting data and information systems, GMDSS global marine distress and signaling system, FRB fast rescue boat operator, VSO/FSO/CSO vessel-facility-company security officer, Basic & advanced marine firefighting,
ABYC Marine Electrical Systems Advisor
ABYC Marine Corrosion Technician
ABYC Marine Systems Technician
ABYC Master Marine Technician
Navtech Marine Surveyor certification
SAMS Surveyor Associate, Yachts and Small Craft