Biography - Charlie Kinnear

5   Years: Owner Reliable Maritime Solutions, LLC (RMS).
6   Years:  Owner Kinnear Maritime Services, LLC (KMS).
1   Years:  President Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line.
5   Years:  President Celebration Cruise Line.
3   Years:  President Celebration Cargo Line.
3   Years:  Senior Passenger Ship Surveyor – Det Norske Veritas (DNV-GL).
8   Years:  Senior Marine Inspector - US Coast Guard.
16 Years:  Search & Rescue and Law Enforcement – US Coast Guard.
2   Years:  Presidential Ceremonial Honor Guard – US Coast Guard. 

Charles H. Kinnear is a U.S. Mariner with 40 years of experience as a U.S. Coast Guard Officer, Classification Surveyor, Maritime Executive, independent Surveyor, and Consultant.  He has one of the most unique and in-depth backgrounds in the maritime industry and a reputation of integrity and loyalty.  Since 2015 Charlie has made his vast experience, dedication, and in-depth knowledge of the maritime environment available as an Expert Witness and Consultant.

1980 - Charlie enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, and after 18 years of operational service, he joined the Marine Safety Program, launching a second USCG career that would profoundly influence him and the maritime industry. He completed 8 more years as a USCG Marine Inspector, during which time he worked closely with the U.S. Attorney to find and prosecute several criminal cases for MARPOL violations.

2006 - After 26 years of Coast Guard service, he accepted a position with the Classification Society Det Norske Veritas (DNV). With DNV, Charlie expanded his experience and knowledge of the Maritime Laws and Regulations.

2009 - Charlie accepted a position as President of Celebration Cruise Line.  He managed all aspects of the operation, including regulatory compliance.  

2010 - He also founded Celebration Cargo Line for the owners and served as president and general manager.  

2014 - Charlie resigned from Celebration Cruise Line and formed Kinnear Maritime Services to provide consulting and surveying services to the maritime industry. However, later that year, he was asked to return to the cruise line after the company lost its only vessel to a grounding.  Once again, he stepped in as president and established the new Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Bringing the new vessel into service in an unprecedented 45 days.

2015 - Once the new line was up and operating, Charlie resigned to form Reliable Maritime Solutions (RMS).  RMS was organized to assist owners and operators of all sizes with the Maritime Authorities.  He also re-organized Kinnear Maritime (KMS) to provide expert witness and consulting services to a wide variety of companies, firms, and attorneys. 

In 2014 after   5 years as President of the Cruise and Cargo Line, Charlie resigned and founded Kinnear Maritime Services to provide consulting and expert witness services to the maritime industry. Later that year, he was asked to return to the cruise line after the company lost its only vessel to a grounding.  Once again, accepting the position as President,   he established the new Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and brought the replacement vessel into service in an unprecedented 45 days. KMS now focuses on providing Expert Witness and Consulting Services and has completed several complex maritime cases for domestic and International law firms.

Summary: Charlie has been in management and leadership roles, nearly his entire diverse and far-reaching career.  He has played a crucial role in successfully starting two cruise lines, a cargo line, and served as President for all three.  He has used his considerable experience and leadership skills to successfully operate his own companies assisting the Maritime Industry in a multitude of disciplines, including consulting,   expert witness, surveying, and training. 

• 2015 - Palermo v. Bright Touch                   - Boat Damage                    - Report
• 2018 - PGCL v. Paul Gauguin Cruise          - Charter Mitigation          - Arbitration
• 2019 - Fulton v. Globalia                                - Charter Mitigation          - Arbitration
• 2020 - Saridakis v. Officer Bear                   - Use of Force                       - Deposition
• 2020 - Hooks. v. Holland America              - Covid 19                              - Report
• 2020 - Bland v. Carnival Corporation        - Passenger Injury             - Deposition
• 2021 - Archer v. Carnival Corporation      - Covid 19                              - Report
• 2021 - Dorety v. Princess Cruise Line        - Covid 19                              - Deposition
• 2021 - Green v. Royal Caribbean                 - Covid 19                              - Consulting

Det Norske Veritas:

• Senior Surveyor for Car Carriers, Bulk Vessels, Freight Vessels, And Passenger Vessels
• Qualified Plan Review Approval Engineer
• Instructor for DNV's Training Academy and Service Manager For Major Cruise Lines.

US Coast Guard:

• Fully Qualified Officer in Charge Afloat and Ashore
• Fully Qualified Senior Marine Inspector for All Major Vessel Types
• Fully Qualified Senior Instructor for The National Cruise Ship Center Of Expertise 

• Management and leadership positions for over 35 years.
• Received formal training in numerous areas of management, leadership and training.
• Experienced with Multi-National situations and work environments.
• Negotiation of large contracts with Government and Maritime service providers.
• In depth knowledge of international and domestic regulations.
• High level of computer skills in operating systems, Microsoft Office applications.
• Experienced managing large and small budgets. 

• Several live and taped television and newspaper interviews.
• Speaker at numerous events, including the "Maritime Day" at UN Facility New York.
• Published in Coast Guard publications and informational letters.
• Experienced Speaker/Instructor with hundreds of hours of podium time.