Maritime Operations Consulting

Decisive Maritime
Consulting

Maritime Operations Expertise. Remote or On-Site.

USCG & Marshall Islands Master Unlimited Tonnage | Full DPO Certification | Active Secret Clearance
U.S. Navy Reserve LT | Kings Point Graduate | 12+ Years Commercial Maritime

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12+ Years at Sea
2 Master Unlimited Licenses
DPO Full DP Certification
SECRET Active U.S. Clearance
The Problem

The Gap Is Expensive

Most maritime and offshore technology is built by engineers and investors who have never managed a critical operation in real conditions. During a cable lay, a single officer coordinates vessel positioning, cable tension, lay rates, CCTV feeds, engine management, and deck crew simultaneously — while planning logistics months in advance.

One missed data point can result in catastrophic equipment loss, injury, or loss of life.

Startups, offshore energy developers, yacht owners, and infrastructure operators entering the maritime space don't know what they don't know. That gap is expensive.
What We Do

Services

Operational expertise across the full maritime spectrum — from tech startups to offshore projects to private vessels.

Maritime Tech & Startups

  • Operational product validation
  • Autonomy & DP systems advisory
  • UX review from operator perspective
  • Pilot program support
  • Go-to-market strategy

Offshore & Commercial

  • Marine operations plan review
  • Vessel operations procedure audit
  • Offshore project ops support
  • Subsea & cable SME advisory
  • Regulatory & USCG compliance

Yacht & Private Vessel

  • Remote refit oversight
  • Pre-purchase operational assessment
  • Captain & crew vetting
  • Flag state & USCG documentation
  • Operational setup for new owners

Vessel Delivery & Relocation

  • Direct delivery as captain, any tonnage
  • Coastal vessel relocation
  • New build delivery oversight
  • Delivery captain sourcing & vetting
  • Pre-delivery operational planning

Defense & Infrastructure

  • Undersea infrastructure advisory
  • Cleared SME project support
  • Technical writing & documentation
  • Maritime security plans (ISPS)
  • New build operational input
How We Work

Operating Model

Advisory structured around an active offshore rotation — available remotely from sea or home, in-person when on rotation break.

Remote

Offshore & Home
  • Advisory & retainer work
  • Document & procedure review
  • Product validation & UX feedback
  • Refit oversight & documentation
  • Regulatory & compliance support

In-Person

When Home
  • Vessel deliveries & relocations
  • On-site refit oversight
  • Client & network meetings
  • Sea trials & vessel assessments
  • Coastal project operations
Erik Thompson ET
Meet the Principal

Erik
Thompson

Chief Mate & Dynamic Positioning Officer
  • USCG Master Unlimited Tonnage
  • Marshall Islands Master Unlimited
  • Full DPO Certification
  • Active Secret Clearance
  • U.S. Navy Reserve — LT
  • Kings Point Graduate
  • 12+ Years Commercial Maritime

Erik Thompson is a sitting Chief Mate and Dynamic Positioning Officer currently sailing aboard subsea fiber optic cable ships with SubCom. He holds USCG and Marshall Islands Master of Unlimited Tonnage licenses, full DPO certification, an active Secret security clearance, and a U.S. Navy Reserve commission.

A Kings Point graduate with over 12 years of commercial maritime experience spanning subsea cable installation and repair, offshore construction, dynamic positioning operations, vessel conversions, and large-scale operational planning.

Decisive Maritime Consulting was built to bridge the gap between the maritime world and the industries entering it.

What Clients Say

Client Feedback

Trusted by operators, builders, and owners across the maritime spectrum.

"

Erik's operational perspective caught three integration issues in our DP software before we ever went to sea trials. His review paid for itself before we left the dock.

Chief Technology Officer
Maritime Autonomy Company, San Francisco
"

We needed someone who understood both the regulatory side and the practical realities of offshore ops. Erik bridged that gap in ways our internal team simply couldn't.

Project Manager
Offshore Energy Developer, Gulf of Mexico
"

The pre-purchase assessment on our 78-foot motor yacht was incredibly thorough — things we never would have caught until they became expensive problems underway.

Private Yacht Owner
78' Motor Yacht, East Coast
Get Started

How to Engage

Every engagement starts with a conversation. Choose the format that fits your needs.

Advisory Retainer

Ongoing monthly advisory for companies needing consistent operational input from an experienced maritime professional.

Project Based

Scoped engagements for document review, product validation, or operations plan assessment with defined deliverables.

Vessel Delivery

Available for yacht and vessel deliveries and relocations when home rotation allows. Any tonnage, any route.

Consultation Call

One hour paid call to assess your needs and determine fit. The fastest way to find out if we're the right match.

Book a Consultation
Get in Touch

Start a Conversation

Describe your project or challenge — we'll respond within 24 hours.

How to Reach Us

Every engagement starts with a conversation. Whether you have a defined project or just an operational problem you can't solve, reach out and we'll figure out together if there's a fit.

erik@decisivemaritime.com
Response within 24 hours
Remote & On-Site, Worldwide

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