On The Fishy Side

L-R John Leek4, Terence Watson, Mike Hartline

JOHN LEEK IV, Product Development Engineer

Increasingly involved in the design and engineering of our newest models, John joined Ocean in 2004. A graduate of Virginia Tech, John has his own ideas on how Ocean’s should be designed and built and how their profile and exterior lines ought to evolve in the years ahead. While John will one day soon be in a position to realize his vision, the legacy received from his grandfather, who founded the company, and his father, its current president, are likely to keep him faithful to the “Ocean tradition.”

TERENCE WATSON, Director of Engineering

Like John IV, Terence is the son of one of Ocean’s original founders. And like his late father Terry, Terence is an Engineer. He joined Ocean in 1998, after working a number of years in the field, including two years for a tooling and design subcontractor of the U.S. Coast Guard. He studied Naval Architecture/Marine Engineering at the University of New Orleans. Earlier, he received a BA degree in Industrial Design from Kean University, gaining valuable experience in computer technology.

At Ocean, Terence is responsible for ensuring the efficiencies of production and design. He manages the critical timing of boats on Ocean’s three production lines, solves production-related problems, and assists in new product development. Quality and product enhancement come under his jurisdiction as well as seeing that Ocean’s yachts meet all industry & customer standards.

MIKE HARTLINE, Manager of Research & Development

Mike’s career at Ocean began while he was still in high school; his first job – cleaning bathrooms. After high school, he was recruited into the Finish-Woodworking Department, where he worked from 1984 until 1986. In 1987, after gaining a year’s experience with another boat builder, Mike returned to Ocean’s Engineering Department. He has been increasing his skills and broadening his experience there for the past two decades. Under the tutelage of Terry Watson, Sr., and of our long-time Naval Architect, Dave Martin, Mike has become an instrumental part of Ocean’s Design and Engineering Team. In 2001, he graduated from Dave’s alma mater – Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology. Mike is an associate member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, Philadelphia section, where he has given a presentation on production yacht manufacturing processes. He is the author of “Key Elements in Designing a Sportfishing Yacht,” published in the China-based international magazine Yacht Industry. The Ocean 37, is Mike’s first solo boat design project for Ocean Yachts.