J. Michael Hunter is the Principal Investigator and Surveyor of Hunter Consulting & Survey Services, Incorporated of Springfield, Missouri. The firm maintains a primary specialization in Accident Investigations, Claims Investigations, Accident Reconstruction, Litigation Support for the marine field and Infra-Red Thermography. His work experience is broad with over 25 years experience in the marine industry as a National Service Representative, Marine Technician and Service Manager (13 years) as well as Law Enforcement Experience and Marine Investigations since 1996. With over 3000 files plus experience, he has had the opportunity to inspect or investigate nearly every possible type of loss involving watercraft. His service area is domestic and foreign.
Mr. Hunter’s extensive training & certifications lend him a knowledge base respected and utilized by many Insurance claims departments, Underwriters, Litigation Attorneys, individuals and vessel manufacturers. Experience in Carbon Monoxide fatalities, multi-vessel collisions involving injury and death, forensic failure analysis of fiberglass and marine mechanicals lends him a vast experience with which to draw upon. Law Enforcement experience ensures his proper understanding of theft and fire investigations while his demanding self imposed training over the years allows him the opportunity to grow in his knowledge. Training and certifications from many of the vessel and engine manufacturers, gear manufacturers, adjuster training, American Boating & Yacht Counsel training, National Transportation Safety Board, United States Coast Guard, and the Beginning & Advanced Accident Reconstruction provide a large knowledge base, as well as many others.
Mr. Hunter continues his efforts at expounding upon his knowledge base through continued training and education. He has numerous appearances in legal proceedings in all levels of the justice system including Criminal, Admiralty, Federal and Circuit courts and arbitration proceedings.
Education:
1989 Graduate of Southwest Missouri State University
Bachelor of Science Marketing & Management
Minor Computer Information Systems
Professional Organizations:
International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI)
Member since 1996. Currently Certified Marine Investigator #016 since 2004.
Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS)
Member since September, 2003. Accredited Marine Surveyor (AMS) 2007
American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC)
Member since 2000.
Training & Certifications:
Northeast Oklahoma Vocational Technical School
Outboard and Sterndrive Technician Training
1984,1986,1988,1990,1992,1994,1996,2000
Certified Technician
Marine Specific Training
Certified Technician Training
Mercury, MerCruiser, Yamaha, OMC Outboard & Sterndrive, Tohatsu, Volvo-Penta
Spader Service Management
Yamaha Motor Corporation
Outboard Motor Training
1986, 1987, 1992
Missouri State Law Enforcement Academy
1993 Drury College, Springfield, MO
Traffic, Accident Reconstruction, Law Enforcement Certification Academy
Farm Bureau Insurance Technical Training
1996 Jackson, Mississippi
Adjuster Specific training
Small Power Watercraft Training
1996, 1998, 2000
St. Louis, MO, St. Paul, MN, & Kansas City, MO respectively
Continuing Education– two stroke educator
International Association of Marine Investigators (#1828-016)
1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Certified Marine Investigator Designation CMI 1828-016
American Boating & Yacht Council
November, 2003 Standards and Code Accreditation.
January 5-7, 2005 Electrical Pre Certification Course
Watercraft Accident Reconstruction
February, 2004
American Boating & Yacht Council, Annapolis, MD.
Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors
Accredited Marine Surveyor #939
Frequent presenter on Field of Failure Analysis.
American Gear Manufacturers Association
Advanced Forensic Failures of Gears, Big Sky, MT September, 2007
Infrared Training Center
Boston, MA
Level I Certification. January 15-19, 2009-07-12
Infrared Training Center
Boston, MA
BCAM Basics January 24, 2009-07-12
National Transportation Safety Board
Accident Investigation Orientation (BASIC)
October 7-8, 2008
National Transportation Safety Board
Marine Accident Investigation
January 26 – 30, 2009
JBC Consulting & Ohio Department of Public Safety
Basic Accident Reconstruction
March 11-13, 2009-07-12
JBC Consulting & Ohio Department of Public Safety
Advanced Accident Reconstruction
April 15-17, 2009
Areas of Specialization:
Mechanical Failure Analysis
Marine Accident Investigations
Marine Accident Reconstruction
Infrared Thermography
Hull Failure
Marina / Dock Damage
Casualty Investigations
Publications:
“Standards Shipyard Practice: Using ABYC Standards during Damage Claims Handling.” J. Michael Hunter, American Boating & Yacht Counsel – Reference Point 2009.