Nominated by the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard to chair the Towing Safety Advisory Committee’s (TSAC)* task force on safety standards for portable maritime vapor-control systems. As chairman, he led a select group of industry experts to develop new standards for design, installation, operation, and certification of vapor control systems to reduce the discharge of hazardous vapors. He was reappointed to the Towing Safety Advisory Committee by the Secretary of Homeland Security to advise the Department on matters relating to shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety. Captain Stoller served as chair of the vapor control task force for vapor control of barges while on the Towing Safety Advisory Committee.

Appointed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation to serve on the Navigation Safety Advisory Council (NAVSAC) to advise the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, on matters relating to the prevention of collisions, ramming, and groundings. Including, but not limited to: inland rules of the road, international rules of the road, navigation regulations and equipment, routing measures, marine information, diving safety, and aids to navigation systems. NAVSAC members must have particular expertise, knowledge and experience in navigation rules of the road (both international and inland), aids to navigation, navigational safety equipment, vessel traffic service, traffic separation schemes, and vessel routing.     

Consulted to the ARCO Marine, Inc. task force to evaluate 33 CFR Part 157, “Structural and Operational Measures to Reduce Oil Spills from Existing Tank Vessels Without Double Hulls; Proposed Rulemaking,” and propose alternative operational oil spill prevention measures to the U.S. Coast Guard.      

Performed marine accident investigation for ARCO’s Safety, Health, and Environmental Protection Department. Defined the scope of, and consulted on, a major study of human factors in shipping accidents and incidents with Battelle Human Affairs Research Center and Rennsselaer Polytechnic Institute on behalf of the Regional Citizen’s Advisory Committees for Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet, Alaska.

Created a safety and health manual based on the International Loss Control Institute model and the International Petrochemical Safety Rating System for West Coast Shipping Company, the shipping division of Unocal Corporation. 

Provided outlines defining the scope and detail needed in bridge organization and deck operations manuals for the Washington State Office of Marine Safety as a benchmark for evaluating safe shipping policies in State waters.  

Received Exxon’s West Coast Fleet Office Shipping Manager’s Award for safe vessel conduct. The award was given to the crew members responsible for the best-managed ships in each fleet with respect to all phases of responsibilities aboard the ship. Certain areas observed were: the casualty/safety record and program, adherence to budgets and goals, energy conservation, vessel utilization, maintenance and repair programs, and the commitment of the crew to corporate goals and objectives.    

Panelist, Admiralty Law Section, American Association for Justice (AAJ). “Industry Statutes and Evidentiary Application.”

Speaker, Admiralty and Maritime Law Conference, South Texas College of Law, Houston Texas. “The ISM Code and Equipment Maintenance in the Offshore Oil Patch.”

Consulting expert for Thomas Miller (Americas) Inc. Managers for the UK P&I Club on behalf of Member AET in preparation for Federal Court Trial (New Orleans)

Consultant to American Eagle Tankers (AET) in a project to work with the Army Corps of Engineers to improve the safety of waterways.

Featured speaker on the ISM Code and Risk Assessment, Admiralty Law Section, American Association for Justice.

Consulted with Vice Admiral James C. Card USCG (Retired) on Risk Assessment issues relating to the Maritime Industry.

Noted during American Association for Justice maritime law seminar as consulting expert on passenger vessel and International Safety Management (ISM) Code.

Consultant to Florida Board of Pilot Commissioners regarding Pilot training.

Noted for testifying on the International Safety Management (ISM) Code during the Maritime Torts Committee Meeting of the Maritime Law Association’s (MLA) Continuing Education Seminar.

Testified in court during successful litigation of ergonomic issues on an uninspected fishing vessel (Arispe v. Thomas Timmer).

Consultant and Expert Witness to Florida Board of Pilot Commissioners for administrative law hearings and pilot examinations.  

Consultant to Edward A. Tellechea, Esq., Senior Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General, State of Florida.

Testified on safety issues for the Board of Maritime Pilots of the State of Oregon (Columbia River Bar/River Pilots).

Featured speaker on ISM Code. Admiralty Law Section, Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) Conventions.

Represented U.S. Coast Guard during administrative hearing regarding largest oil spill in the history of Boston Harbor.

Advised non-profit environmental organization, Blue Water Foundation, during successful effort to force four major cruise lines to comply with California’s ballast water management regulations.

Received letter of appreciation from R.E. Kramek, Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant for dedicated service on the Navigation Safety Advisory Council (NAVSAC) to ensure the safety of U.S. waterways.

NAVSAC Navigation Equipment Committee Member.

NAVSAC Committee Meeting Chairman for Rules of the Road. 

NAVSAC Rules of the Road Member Committee Member.  

NAVSAC Navigation Equipment Committee Member.

NAVSAC Prevention Through People Committee Member.      

Panelist in NAVSAC’S plenary session on STCW 1995 Amendments and Inland Navigation Rule 9.

NAVSAC Human Factors Committee Member.       

Updated ARCO Marine, Inc.’s Oil Spill Prevention Plan for the State of Washington.

Consulted to the Glosten Associates, Inc. regarding a maritime project involving an aerospace firm.   

Updated the 1982 National Academy of Sciences regional evaluations of marine salvage capability for Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington. 

Reformulated the Bridge Management, Master’s Administration, Deck Operations, and Port Terminals Manuals for ARCO.   

Commended by Los Angeles Chief Pilot for piloting of over 1,000 ships in Los Angeles Harbor.

Congratulated and commended by Acting Chief Pilot of the Los Angeles Harbor for a “fine safety record” in promotion to Port Pilot II.

Sailed as ship’s master for Exxon. Conducted performance reviews and forced ranking of all Deck and Engine Officers under Master supervision.

Granted a lump sum payment by Exxon Shipping Company (USA) based on contributions and high performance as a member of Exxon Shipping Company’s management team.

Promoted to permanent Master by Exxon Shipping Company (USA) based on evidence of leadership in the supervision and handling of people and in professional, technical competence as applied to operations maintenance and cargo handling, administration skills, and support of company policies and objectives.

Master of the first Exxon vessel sent to South Korea for shipyard repairs. Had the overall responsibility of working with crew members and contractors with respect to vessel safety and adherence to the Code of Federal Regulations and OSHA.  

As Exxon Chief Mate, called upon to install an inert gas system (IGS) at Swan Island Shipyard in Portland Oregon, and the first to operate the IGS.

As Exxon Chief Mate, first to put a crude oil wash system on a vessel.

While serving as either Captain or Chief Mate, five times called upon to observe Duty to Intervene under both Coast Guard and OSHA regulations to enforce safe work practices for both crew and non-crew members.

Sailed as youngest Captain for Exxon Shipping Company (USA) in modern times.   

Wrote the Exxon guide to tank washing crude oil carriers prior to shipyard repairs.     

Sailed as youngest Chief Mate for Exxon Shipping Company (USA) in modern times.

ENDORSEMENTS

• Master Mariner Unlimited

• First Class Pilot of Steam and Motor Vessels (any gross tons)

• Upon the waters of Prince William Sound

• Entrance to San Francisco Bay from sea to the Golden Gate Bridge

• Upon Los Angeles Harbor, Long Beach Harbor, San Pedro Bay and approaches to all

TESTIMONY

Experienced testifying in state and federal courts, both nationally and internationally.

EDUCATION

National Safety Council Occupational Safety and Health Services Unit Continuing Education Units Session 208, Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls. Completed Slips, Trips and Falls Training 2008.

National Safety Council Occupational Safety and Health Services Unit Continuing Education Units Session 226, Job Safety Analysis. Completed Job Safety Analysis Training 2008.

National Safety Council Occupational Safety and Health Services Unit Continuing Education Units Session 205, Ergonomics. Completed Ergonomics Training 2004, 2006.

American Bureau of Shipping training program on the ISM Code.

Texas Engineering Extension Service, College Station, TX: Completed marine fire fighting strategy and tactics training.

Port Ravel, Grenoble, France: Completed courses in handling offshore and treatment vessels, general shiphandling maneuvers including anchoring, docking, single point mooring, bank effect, shallow water effect, transiting narrow channels and canals, and special maneuvers.

Leith Nautical College, New York, NY: Completed inert gas systems and crude oil wash courses.

California Maritime Academy, Vallejo, CA: Valedictorian. Seamanship Award. Best Conduct Award. Commissioned as Ensign in the United States Navy Reserve.

PAST AND PRESENT AFFILIATIONS

• Member, Navigation Safety Advisory Council

• Council of American Master Mariners

• Marine Underwriters of Southern California

• Propeller Club of the United States

• National Safety Council

• International Marina Institute

• Offshore Marine Service Association

• American Boating & Yacht Council

• National Fire Protection Association

• The Marine Society of the City of New York

SEAGOING EXPERIENCE

Los Angeles Harbor Pilot

Ship’s Master Assignments

• Exxon Galveston

• Exxon San Francisco

• Exxon Philadelphia**

• Exxon New Orleans

• Exxon North Slope

• Exxon Houston**

Chief Mate Assignments

• Exxon Galveston**

• Exxon Baton Rouge

• Exxon Philadelphia**

• Exxon Houston

• Exxon Benicia

Second Mate Assignments

• Exxon Galveston

• Exxon New Orleans

• Exxon Philadelphia

• Exxon Newark

• Exxon Washington

• Exxon Baton Rouge

Third Mate Assignments

• Exxon Newark

• Exxon Philadelphia

• Exxon Baton Rouge

• Exxon Houston

Mitchell was recently cited 9 times by USA Today relating to the sinking of the Bayesian Yacht outside of the coast in Sicily, Italy. His expertise and knowledge of such events led to many reporters asking him the true details about what really went on that day.

Mitchell is also scheduled to be the Keynote speaker at the AAJ (American Association for Justice) luncheon conference on Admiralty Law Section and Ergonomics in September 2024, an extremely prestigious honor and selection.

Participated in a BBC Radio Broadcast on sinking of Bayesian yacht.

Contacted by CNN in regards to the sinking of Bayesian yacht.

Guest Speaker 3 times at The ISM Code and Equipment Maintenance in the Offshore Oil Patch

Captain Stoller has sailed on the Bering Sea in the Wintertime.

“Plaintiff maritime expert, Mitchell Stoller, who, among his extraordinary credentials was twice appointed by the Secretary of Homeland Security to the Towing Safety of Advisory Council, who’s testimony I credit” - Judge Nina Gershom; United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, Frederick J. Harrington Jr vs Atlantic Sounding Co., Inc/Weeks Marine Inc.

*TSAC’s Purpose. Under the authority of Title 33, United States Code, Section 1231a, the Secretary of the of Transportation, through the Commandant of the Coast Guard, has delegated the Chief, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection the responsibility to establish the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC). The Committee shall serve as a deliberative body to advise the Secretary of Transportation, via the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, on matters relating to shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety.” Homeland Security Internet Web site.

**Supervised shipyard operations