Advisory Services
Your Strategic Analytic Partner
CAPT Tim Crone, USN (RET)
Director of Advisory Services Division
We are your trusted advisor and counselor to the government and the maritime industry, supporting each by identifying internal opportunities for growth and cross-connecting stakeholders to achieve integrated wins. We help all parties realize their goals and vision by facilitating better internal and external communication while improving stakeholder coordination.
​EXPERTISE
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Vast experience of real world naval war fighting, operations, ship modernization and repair (planning and execution).
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Application of naval policy and doctrine against current warfighting requirements.
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Mission Engineering analysis in support of complex ship “systems of systems” integration for operational success.
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Detailed commercial and naval shipyard operations and dry dock certification.
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Navy ship availability planning, duration analysis, and execution.
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Navy ship in-service sustainment processes, data analytics support, and technical risk assessment.
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Nuclear survivability and threat reduction.
​CAPABILITIES
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Identify opportunities in defense sector marketplace.
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Connect technology companies to government requirements and provide robust plans for fielding on ships.
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Highlight opportunities, formulate marketing strategies, and develop plans of action.
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Support the spectrum of acquisiton processes for requirements development, validation, investment prioiritiztion decisions, test and evaluation support, etc.
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Conduct organizational and manpower analysis with long-range planning for both private sector and government clients.
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Provide senior-level counsel to decision makers and Expert Witness testimony.
Strategic Analysis
Our diverse team offers a deep bench of knowledge in maritime engineering, including naval officers with careers spanning 30 to 40 years. This unique expertise, partnered with our relationship with the Navy, provides a strong understanding of the Navy and the shipbuilding industry’s engineering needs. This strategic knowledge is leveraged to provide insight to maintain a business relationship with the Navy.
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Dry dock capacity & demand
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Ship integration
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Nuclear survivability and threat reduction
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Deployed maintenance approach
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Shipyard quality culture
Expert Witness
Hepburn and Sons LLC is a recognized, independent expert witness regarding ships and shipboard systems. We are also recognized for our expertise in shipyard facilities, operations, and organizations. Our opinion relies on Applied Irrefutable Evidence derived from authoritative documentation and sources. We utilize calibrated and certified equipment where sensory data is required. Our technical integrity is oriented to challenge or be challenged via depth and quality of research. We work to the highest standards of business and personal conduct as expressed in the American Society of Naval Engineers’ Code of Ethics. A single expert witness for ships will be assigned to your case, selected from a senior member of our staff. Peer consultants will support from initial case research through engineering report, deposition, and trial phases.
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Hepburn and Sons LLC has performed expert witness work on over 60 cases involving the maritime industry since 2013. Litigation includes Navy, recreational boating, asbestos, shipyards, patent infringement, Maritime Administration (MARAD), cruise ships, Army Corps of Engineers, trade secrets, recreational docks, drydocking, submarines, surface ships, and U.S. Coast Guard. The cases extend from current-day events to those dating back to the 1940s. Our expert witness for ships support involves an understanding of shipbuilding and repair for surface ships and submarines, small boats, cruise ships, and the workings of shipyards. Our company’s principal investigators have experience in researching the National Archives, the operational history of ships, icebreakers, tenders, and warships, and understand the design and development of the Navy’s latest technology and capabilities.
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Naval Architecture & Engineering
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Ship systems
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Navy ship asbestos insulation
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Shipyard operations
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Cruise ship engineering
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Intellectual Property
Please contact Rick Hepburn, Chairman, to see if Hepburn and Sons LLC is the best expert witness to provide an opinion for your case.