Captain David G. Bacon
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Captain David G. Bacon, a U.S. Coast Guard licensed vessel captain available as an expert witness on cases involving; boating accidents, slip & falls, personal injuries, collisions and allisions, issues of responsibilities and liabilities aboard vessels and on gangways and docks and piers, drowning and vessel grounding or sinking. I am available to travel for investigations and inspections.
Passenger/crew interaction, training and safety orientation are areas where many liabilities are created due to negligent actions, and I have experience opining on those issues based on Rules of the Road and other regulations, standard duty of care and safety protocols.
I have served as a vessel charter captain for 30+ years, specializing in; crew training, safety procedures, crew drills and practice, passenger safety orientation. During that lengthy career I have had no accident or injury claims because I am a diligent seafaring professional and I know what dangers to look for and remedy before they cause problems.
I work as a professional writer, public speaker and college teacher. My expert reports tend to be influential and my testimony skills have been proven in depositions and in the courtroom.
Investigation and opinions regarding accidents towing or launching boats are within my wheelhouse. I drove tow vehicles with trailers for many years with no accidents nor injuries. I hold a Class A California driver's license with all endorsements including hazmat. I successfully graduated from a trucking school.
Captain David Bacon – brief business bio/history:
~Owner/operator/Captain of WaveWalker Charters (private boat charters)
~Owner of Hook, Line & Sinker fishing center in Santa Barbara
~Owner of Guns of Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara
~Faculty at Santa Barbara City College (teaches ocean-related classes)
~Executive Director, SOFTIN, Inc. (NPO serving special needs people)
~Member of the California MPA collaborative
~Member, Board of Directors, Coastal Conservation Association — California
~Member of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council
~Member of the California State Kelp Restoration and Management Working Group
~Senior Editor, Pacific Coast Sportfishing magazine
~Staff Writer for Western Outdoor News
~Columnist, Noozhawk on-line news service
~Collaborative marine research/outreach consultant and expert witness
~Seminar speaker for industry trade shows
~Lecturer for clubs and civic organizations
- Accident Investigation
- Accident Reconstruction
- Admiralty & Maritime
- Bus & Truck Safety/Accident
- Failure Analysis
- Personal Injury
- Pools & Spas
- Rescue
- Retail Security
- Retail Store Design & Operations
- Safety
- Slip, Trip & Fall
- Sports & Recreation
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: Rio Hondo Community College, Whittier, Ca: 1969 - 1972
Associate Arts degree in Business Administration with a minor in office supervision.
California Polytechnical University, Pomona, Ca: 1972 – 1974
Coursework in Business Administration and Arts
Santa Barbara Community College, Santa Barbara, Ca:
Adjunct Faculty 2019 to present
Coursework in languages 1986-1987
US Power and Sail Squadrons, Santa Barbara, Ca: 1190 – 1991
Courses in seamanship, marine electrical/electronics, piloting, navigation.
I taught elements of marine electronics usage.
US Coast Guard:
Captains License (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel - unlimited tonnage).
Transportation Workers Identification Certificate (TWIC)
Graduate of Dootson Trucking School
- Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: Outdoor Writer's Association of America
Outdoor Writer's Association of California
Coastal Conservation Association - California (member, board of directors)
Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council
California MPA (Marine protected Area) Collaborative
California State Kelp Restoration and Management Working Group
Recreational Fisheries Working Group - NOAA Fisheries - Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: Adjunct Faculty - Santa Barbara Community College.
Public speaking (hundreds of engagements) at Fred Hall Show industry trade shows, civic organizations (e.g. Rotary Clubs), special-interest clubs, Parks and Recreation Department of Santa Barbara, radio guest appearances on Let’s Talk Hookup, Fish Talk Radio. - Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: approximately 24 times
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Boat/vessel accidents
Personal injury
Slip & fall
Passenger/crew safety on vessels and boat ramps/docks
Vessel sinking
Vessel grounding
Drowning
Loss of professional licenses - Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: Roughly 50% for plaintiff
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: Roughly 50% for defendant
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: 4 times
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: 2023
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: 2
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: 2
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: 8 years
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Expert witness
Expert Report
Consultation
Site inspections and analysis
Testimony (deposition and court) - Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: $250
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: $250/hour
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: $300/hour
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: $300/hour
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: $85/day per diem for travel
Travel and lodging expenses
Edward K. Le, Esq
Le & Kittleson, PLLC
135 Park Ave. N
Renton, WA 98056
(206) 499-1000
edward@lekittleson.com
Seth Weinstein, Esq.
Law Offices of Seth Weinstein, P.C.
15260 Ventura Blvd., Suite 1200
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 570-0836 / (510) 852-9296
sweinsteinlaw@gmail.com
Joseph North, Esq.
The North law Firm, P.A.
14241 Metro Parkway, Suite 200
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(239) 337-1191 phone
joseph@thenorthlawfirm.org