Craig Bozeman
Charleston
Summary
Accomplished maritime professional with nearly 20 years of progressive leadership and operational experience across a broad range of maritime missions and vessel platforms. Extensive background in vessel handling, shiphandling, towing operations, navigation, heavy-weather response, maritime law enforcement, maintenance management, and crew development. Demonstrated success leading high-performing teams, executing complex maritime operations, managing critical vessel maintenance projects, and making sound operational decisions in dynamic, high-risk environments. Recognized for professionalism, technical seamanship, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Overview
1
1
Certification
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Boatswain Mate/1st Lieutenant
United States Coast Guard
03.2008 - Current
Vessel Operations & Ship handling
- Nearly 20 years of experience navigating and operating multiple classes of U.S. Coast Guard vessels, including National Security Cutters, Fast Response Cutters, 87-foot Patrol Boats, and response boats in coastal and offshore environments.
- Extensive experience in precision ship handling, restricted-water navigation, harbor maneuvering, anchoring, mooring, and towing evolutions in diverse weather and sea conditions.
- Highly skilled in small boat operations, executing heavy-weather search and rescue missions, stern and alongside towing evolutions, and high-speed pursuit tactics while maintaining the highest standards of operational safety.
- Conducted complex towing operations, vessel recoveries, and emergency response missions requiring sound judgment, effective risk management, and precise vessel control.
- Served as a Pursuit Coxswain and Lead Boarding Officer during numerous federal maritime law enforcement operations, conducting high-speed vessel interdictions and boardings in support of counter-drug, fisheries enforcement, homeland security, and maritime safety missions.
- Extensive experience enforcing federal laws and regulations through maritime interdiction, fisheries enforcement, and counter-drug operations while operating in dynamic and high-risk environments.
- Led and mentored crews in demanding operational environments, developing personnel through structured training, qualification programs, and hands-on instruction to improve mission readiness and operational proficiency.
- Directed deck departments and supervised personnel responsible for safe vessel operations, maintenance, seamanship, and mission execution while fostering a culture of accountability and professional development.
- Nearly two decades of experience managing deck maintenance, preservation, and repair programs, ensuring vessel readiness, regulatory compliance, and long-term material reliability.
- Planned, coordinated, and supervised complex maintenance projects involving anchor systems, towing equipment, deck machinery, and exterior preservation to maximize operational availability and extend equipment service life.
- Applied operational risk management principles to safely conduct high-risk maritime missions involving heavy weather, search and rescue, law enforcement, towing, and precision vessel maneuvering.
- Planned and executed complex maritime operations involving towing, law enforcement, search and rescue, and homeland security missions.
- Applied operational risk management principles to safely accomplish high-risk missions in rapidly changing conditions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice Administration
Waldorf University
Forest City, IA09.2025
Skills
- Ship & Boat Pilotage and Handling
- Leadership, Training & Crew Development
- Towing Operations & Advanced Seamanship
- Maintenance, Preservation & Asset Management
- Operational Adaptability & Problem Solving
- Maritime Safety, Risk Management & Mission Execution
Certification
- Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC)Master 100 GRT (Near Coastal)
Assistance Towing Endorsement
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- U.S. Coast Guard Heavy Weather Coxswain & Pursuit Coxswain Qualifications
- Boarding Officer
- Officer of the Deck (Underway)
Timeline
Chief Boatswain Mate/1st Lieutenant
United States Coast Guard
03.2008 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice Administration
Waldorf University