Every Marine Job Tells a Story
By Jim “Doc” Ruth
In the marine world, no two days—and no two jobs—are ever the same. One day, you’re crawling through the bilge of a fishing vessel inspecting a shaft seal. The next, you’re overseeing the complex recovery of a sunken barge with 500 tons of cargo on board. Every job tells a story—and for me, those stories are what make this work more than just a career.
I’ve spent decades surveying vessels and managing salvage operations around the world. Each project brings its own challenges, personalities, and lessons. Some of the most memorable moments come not from the biggest ships or most dramatic rescues, but from the quiet problem-solving—the kind that requires listening to the crew, respecting the sea, and thinking two steps ahead.
Behind every weld crack or hull breach is a chain of decisions and circumstances. My job is to trace that chain, understand what went wrong (or right), and help owners, insurers, and crews move forward. Whether I’m on the deck of a tanker or in a small port town meeting with local operators, I always try to learn something new—and leave the job site a little better than I found it.
The sea doesn’t give up its secrets easily, but if you listen closely, it’ll teach you a thing or two. That’s why I keep doing what I do. Because every marine job tells a story—and I’m proud to be part of them.