Narrative Biography
Thomas R. Dyer, P.E.
President, Headway Marine LLC
During a shipbuilding, naval architecture, vessel operation, and heavy lift engineering career spanning over 40 years, Tom Dyer has earned a reputation for honesty; hands on leadership; and innovative, practical engineering solutions. Tom has developed a broad knowledge of the shipbuilding business, and of the technology and operation of workboats and pleasure craft. He has managed heavy lifting projects and advised civil engineers and contractors regarding floating structures ancillary to dams. He has served on an international panel of dam experts. He has operated a variety of motor and sailing vessels for more than fifty years. He has put his knowledge to work as an expert in more than fifty disputes, representing insurance companies, shipyards, vessel owners, and seamen; both plaintiffs and defendants.
He grew up in his father's shipyard at the mouth of the Columbia River, and received:
- a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford
- a Commission as a naval reserve officer
- an MS in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from MIT
- and a Fulbright Scholarship to study naval architecture in Holland
After naval service, Tom worked his way through the shipbuilding ranks as a naval architect, estimator, superintendent, project manager, new construction program manager, shipyard general manager, and finally as president and owner of a small yard. He has also served briefly as a principal in a leading naval architecture firm, and was engineering vice president for a heavy lift contractor. He holds a Professional Engineer's license in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and US Coast Guard Licenses as a Master of 50 Ton Inspected Motor, Sailing, and Commercial Assistance Towing Vessels and as an Operator of 100 Ton Uninspected Passenger Vessels.
Tom has overseen the construction of 28 steel and aluminum vessels, and supervised innumerable vessel repairs and major conversions. He has managed heavy industrial construction projects and the lifting, transport, and seafastening of oversized marine cargos. Tom is familiar with all aspects of shipyard operations and business, as well as the engineering, construction, conversion and maintenance of fishing vessels, tugs, barges, ferries, pilot boats, sailing and powered pleasure craft, and of aluminum, wood, and steel hulls. With 50 years of experience in operating and maintaining wooden pleasure boats, both sail and power, Tom has made voyages in sailboats, fishing vessels, tugs, pilot boats, and naval and merchant ships.
As a life-long learner, Tom completed The Management Program, at the University of Washington, Graduate School of Business, and the Captains License - 100 Ton Masters and OUPV course at the United States Maritime Academy in Seattle. He has also completed course work in:
- Fundamentals of Accounting
- Liability Avoidance
- Quality Assessment
- Diesel Engine Maintenance
- Industrial Hydraulics
- Pleasure Craft Electrical Systems
Tom is well known as an industry and community leader, he is or has been:
- Chairman of the Pacific Northwest Section of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
- A Founder of and President of the Seattle Marine Business Coalition
- Member of Naval Architects for Fishing Vessel Safety
- Member of the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners Association Vessel Safety Progam
- Member of the American Boat and Yacht Council
- Trustee of the Columbia River Maritime Museum
- A Founder of the Wooden Yacht Racing Association
- Citizen Member of the Seattle City Planning Commission
- Member of the Port of Seattle Waterfront Development Panel