Captain Steven DelongUSN, Ret.

Charleston Area Manager

NAMS-CMS

Captain DeLong attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science. He also earned a Doctorate of Jurisprudence (JD) from Capital University Law School and was awarded an Internship with Ohio Supreme Court Justice Andy Douglas.

Captain DeLong joined Sabine Surveyors in 2007 and is currently the Charleston Area Manager responsible for the day-to-day operations. In May 2025, Captain DeLong became a member of Sabine’s Senior Management Team.

He is a Captain in the United States Navy Reserve. He has served as a Ship’s Master, Marine Transportation Specialist, Naval Officer, and Attorney with wide experience in diverse maritime, legal, management, and administrative environments, “Superior” leadership, negotiation, mediation, problem solving, and conflict resolution.

Captain DeLong directed ship operations in the Ports of Ash Shuaybah and Kuwait Naval Base, supporting US and coalition forces in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He holds a Master’s License, Unlimited Tonnage upon Oceans, issued by the USCG. Has been admitted to the Bar: Supreme Court of Ohio.
He is an active NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor and an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute (AFNI).

Captain Philip Junh Rebogbog

New Orleans Area Manager

Mr. Rebogbog is a Training Master/Chief Officer with over 16 years of seagoing experience, including 8+ years combined on bulk carriers and general cargo vessels. He holds a Master Unlimited License (Marina), Panamanian and Marshall Islands.

Mr. Rebogbog obtained an Associate Degree in Marine Transportation from John B. Lacson University and a Bachelor in Marine Transportation from St. Theres-MTC Colleges, both in Iloilo City, the Philippines.

He has proven leadership in crew mentoring, onboard training, SMS implementation, cargo operations management, and policy development. His expertise includes Port Captaincy, various types of damage, vessel, and cargo surveys. He served as an Able Seaman, Third Officer, and Second Officer prior to becoming a Training Master/Chief Officer. Mr. Rebogbog has training in Accident, Incident Investigation, and Root Cause Analysis, Anti-Piracy Awareness Training, Ballast Water Management, Bunkering Operations, Cargo Handling and Stowage, Comprehensive Passage Planning, Advanced Firefighting, and MARPOL Environmental Compliance. Additionally, he has Ship Security Awareness Training and Seafarers with Designated Security Duties. He is proficient in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat training, has MLC Labour Convention Awareness Training, MLC F1, MLC F2, and MLC F3.

Mr. Rebogbog joined our Team in June 2023 as a Marine Surveyor. After obtaining training for surveying various cargo and vessel surveys, he was promoted to Senior Surveyor in July 2024. He took over the reins of New Orleans Area Manager in July 2025.

He is an active member of the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) and is a Certified Marine Surveyor (NAMSGlobal-CMS).

Jimmy GeorgeUSN, Ret.

Norfolk Area Manager

Mr. George is a 30-year veteran of the United States Navy, retiring in June of 2018 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. Mr. George joined Sabine Surveyors in July 2024 and was promoted to Area Manager of our Norfolk office in March 2025.

Mr. George's background is in deck and amphibious logistic operations. He served as the Operations Officer and Harbor Movement Officer in one of the largest overseas ports in Yokosuka, Japan, coordinating US and JN ship movements. He also served as Officer In Charge of a detachment of seven forward deployed Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) in Yokose, Japan. Mr. George's capabilities include hull and machinery, vessel and dock damage, and various types of cargo, special cargo, and vessel surveys.

John "Jason" Chapa, BMCUSCG, Ret.

Port Arthur Area Manager

Mr. Chapa is a 25-year veteran of the United States Coast Guard, retiring in August 2024 as a Chief Boatswain’s Mate, and joined Sabine Surveyors in the same month. Mr. Chapa was promoted to Area Manager of the Port Arthur office in January 2026.

Mr. Chapa is an experienced maritime operations leader with an extensive background overseeing deck department activities, personnel, and safety programs aboard military vessels. He is skilled in directing maintenance, small boat operations, and anchoring/towing evolutions while ensuring compliance with federal and international maritime regulations. He demonstrated expertise in coordinating crew training, conducting equipment inspections, and enforcing safety and environmental protection standards. Mr. Chapa is adept at leading high-risk operational tasks, managing preventive maintenance schedules, and maintaining vessel readiness through effective resource allocation and team supervision. Strong communicator with proven ability to collaborate across departments to support mission objectives, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Mr. Chris ThomasUSCG, Ret.

Manager of Compliance, Hull & Machinery
NAMS-CMS

Mr. Thomas brings more than 30 years of technical experience from the U.S. Coast Guard, including 12 years specializing in domestic vessel surveying and lifesaving equipment inspections. He has extensive knowledge of U.S. and international maritime regulations and completed advanced USCG training, including the Chief Warrant Officer Professional Development Course, Hazmat Transportation, Engineering Administration Ashore, Unit Safety Coordinator, Senior Enlisted Leadership, and Chief Petty Officer Academy. His Coast Guard career included roles as Machinery Technician, Chief of Auxiliary Equipment Division, Traveling Technical Expert, Command Senior Chief, and Advanced Journeyman Marine Inspector.
As an Advanced Journeyman Marine Inspector, he led major safety and security inspections for towing vessels, barges, offshore supply vessels, small passenger vessels, and ferries entering the Port of Houston/Galveston. He served as a liaison to vessel operators and regulatory agencies, trained apprentice inspectors, evaluated repair and modification plans, identified hazardous conditions, and reviewed technical surveys. He also managed new construction projects and oversaw the delivery of six barges valued at $24 million. His leadership contributed to the development of a Coast Guard wide marine inspector training program that streamlined training and reduced costs.
Mr. Thomas joined Sabine Surveyors in May 2022 as a marine surveyor and auditor for the Subchapter M Division. He conducts dry dock and topside surveys, internal and external audits, incident reviews, and Hull & Machinery assessments. He is a Certified Marine Surveyor (NAMSGlobal CMS).

Mr. Bryan VitranoUSCG,Ret.

Assistant Manager of Compliance
NAMS-CMS

After serving for 20 years and his retirement from the Coast Guard in 2017, Mr. Vitrano joined Sabine Surveyors, Ltd. as a Towing Vessel Surveyor and Auditor. He was promoted to Senior Surveyor in August 2020. In June 2025, Mr. Vitrano was promoted to Assistant Manager of Compliance to help with the day to day operations of Subchapter M, to work with customers to obtain a Certificate of Inspection (COI) for vessels in their fleet.

During his Coast Guard career, he served 2 years on the USCGC SWEETGUM out of Mobile, Alabama, before spending his remaining 18 years at multiple Marine Safety Units along the Gulf of Mexico and on the Mississippi River.

During his time in the marine safety field, Mr. Vitrano conducted safety and security inspections on bulk oil and chemical facilities in multiple U.S. ports. He conducted explosive handling supervisions, hazardous material intermodal container inspections, and pollution investigations. Serving as the lead Towing Vessel Examiner in the extremely busy port of Houston, he performed regulatory examinations on over 700 Uninspected Towing Vessels.

Mr. Vitrano conducts vessel dry dock and topside surveys, internal and external vessel audits, internal survey reviews, USCG incident review/response, vessel damage, dock damage, and milestones surveys.

Mr. Vitrano is an active NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor (NAMS-CMS).

Mr. Lee "Max" Scafidi

Marine Asset Appraisal Manager
ASA, NAMS-CMS

Mr. Scafidi earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and holds multiple U.S. Coast Guard licenses, including Second Mate Oceans, Unlimited Tonnage; Master 1,600 Tons, Oceans; Master of Towing Vessels, Unlimited Tonnage, Oceans; and Tankerman PIC. He served as Navigational Second Mate on a U.S.-flag oil tanker, Chief Mate of an Invader class towboat, and Captain of push boats and tugboats operating on the Mississippi River and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, supporting dredging operations across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.
His operational background includes bridge watchstanding in high traffic areas of the Gulf of Mexico, coastal navigation along the East and West Coasts, line handling and mooring operations, and extensive familiarity with multiple Safety Management Systems. His professional training includes Advanced Oil/Chemical Tanker Operations, Leadership and Management, Bridge Resource Management, Vessel Security Officer, and Advanced Marine Firefighting.
Mr. Scafidi joined Sabine Surveyors in March 2023 as a staff surveyor and auditor. He conducts vessel damage, condition, trip in tow, bunker, and marine structure surveys, along with Subchapter M compliance surveys and audits.
He is an Accredited Member of the American Society of Appraisers (AM ASA), USPAP compliant, and performs appraisals to those standards. He is also a Certified Marine Surveyor (NAMSGlobal CMS) and an active NAMS member.

Steven "Shane" AdkinsCW03 USCG, Ret.

Senior Surveyor/Subchapter M AuditorNAMS-CMS

Mr. Adkins brings more than 22 years of technical experience from the U.S. Coast Guard, including seven years specializing in domestic vessel inspections and lifesaving equipment surveys. He has extensive knowledge of U.S. and international maritime regulations and completed advanced USCG training, including the Chief Warrant Officer Professional Development Course, Hazardous Materials Transportation, Unit Safety Coordinator, Senior Enlisted Leadership, and the Chief Petty Officer Academy. His Coast Guard career included service as a Marine Science Technician and Advanced Journeyman Marine Inspector.
As an Advanced Journeyman Marine Inspector, Mr. Adkins led critical safety and security inspections for towing vessels, barges, and small passenger vessels in the Sector Houston/Galveston and Marine Safety Detachment Nashville areas. He worked closely with vessel operators, third party organizations, and regulatory partners, and served as a Verifying Officer and Qualification Board Member. A subject matter expert for towing vessels, he helped establish Sector Houston/Galveston’s Towing Vessel Inspection Branch during the first three years of Subchapter M implementation, issuing more than 300 Certificates of Inspection and overseeing complex vessel systems, repair plans, modifications, and new construction projects.
Mr. Adkins joined Sabine Surveyors in March 2023 as a marine surveyor and auditor in the Subchapter M Division. He conducts dry dock, topside, damage, and Hull & Machinery surveys, along with internal and external audits and incident reviews. He is a Certified Marine Surveyor (NAMSGlobal CMS).

Captain Mehmet Erhan Yilmaz

Senior Surveyor

Captain Yilmaz is an Oceangoing Master/Captain, He graduated from Near East University Nicosia in Cyprus in July 2010 in Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering (B.Sc). He served abord commercial vessels for three years as a Watchkeeping Officer and eleven years as a Chief Officer. Captain Yilmaz obtained his Oceangoing Master’s License in 2017 and went to work on bulk carriers of different tonnages and with multinational crew. Additionally, he is a GMDSS GOC Radio Officer, has a Medical Examination Certificate, an International Certificate of Vaccination, as well as Certificates in Radar Observation and Plotting, Operational Use of ARPA, Personal Survival Techniques Training, Elementary First Aid Training, Personnel Safety and Social Responsibility Training, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat, Ship Security Officer, ECDIS, and Bridge Resources Management, along with various others. He carries a Madeira and Malta Endorsement. In November 2025, Captain Yilmaz obtained certification as an Associate Fellow from the Nautical Institute (AFNI).

Captain Yilmaz joined the Sabine Houston team as a senior surveyor in December 2024, and is adept at draft surveys, bunker surveys, vessel condition and damage, dock damage, cargo condition, damage, and securing.

Dixon WhitleyLCDR USCG, Ret

Staff Surveyor

Mr. Whitley brings 20 years of U.S. Coast Guard experience as a Marine Inspector and Marine Safety Engineer, specializing in mechanical and chemical engineering applications related to vessel safety, port operations, offshore platforms, and hazardous cargo movements. He joined Sabine Surveyors in August 2025 as a Staff Surveyor.During his Coast Guard career, he served in multiple leadership and technical roles. As Assistant Chief of the Logistics Department, he managed maintenance for more than 50 small boats and over 2,000 aids to navigation while overseeing department budgets. Selected as an Associate Fellow for the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Studies Group, he contributed to high level research and concept development for the Chief of Naval Operations. At the Marine Safety Center in Washington, D.C., he performed engineering analyses and plan reviews for U.S.-flagged tank and offshore vessels.Mr. Whitley conducted domestic and foreign vessel inspections at Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur and later supervised operational safety, salvage, and dive operations at MSU Portland. As International Port Security Liaison Officer for USCG Activities Europe, he represented the U.S. in assessing foreign compliance with SOLAS and ISPS Code requirements.He holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Mexico, along with extensive certifications in international port security, vessel inspection, port state control, and incident management.