Trust The Training Of Our MERG Instructors
Our MERG instructors have decades of experience on the water and in dealing with maritime events and emergencies. They know what it takes to provide comprehensive instruction and the necessary information to keep you and your crew safe at work. Our maritime courses enhance your education and ensure that you can confidently operate a boat or vessel. Trust the knowledge of our MERG instructors for the finest maritime classes in the area.
Terry Hill
Owner / Instructor
.JPG)
Terry Hill is a man of many talents. Terry owns and operates a marina, a TowBoatUS towing and salvage company, a canvas shop, and a full service marine repair facility, all located within the Washington DC Metropolitan Area.He has held a USCG 100 ton Master license for over 25 years and presently holds a Master of Towing license with an unlimited radar endorsement.
Terry has been involved in the design and construction of the first MetalCraft fireboat Firestorm and the Phoenix models as well as the MetalCraft Towboat series.
Through his involvement with the Potomac River Rescue Association, Terry has planned and conducted numerous multi-jurisdictional maritime response drills in the National Capital Region and been a facilitator between jurisdictions to improve interoperability and cooperation for marine emergency response in the region.
Terry has been a salvage surveyor for BoatsUS Marine Insurance Claims for hurricanes Ivan and Katrina performing salvage coordination and logistics in the Pensacola Florida and Gulfport / Biloxi Mississippi region.
Terry is a former Chairman of the Potomac River Rescue Association, a member of the USCG National Capital Region Area Maritime Security Committee and former Chairman of C-PORT (the national association for marine assistance towing and salvage). Terry sits on the Prince William County Wetlands Board and Chesapeake Bay Area Preservation Board. In addition, he has been a Mercruiser, Volvo, and OMC certified Marine Technician for over 15 years and a certified diver for 30 years.
He is an honorary member of the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department and qualified fireboat operator.
Terry has been involved in the design and construction of the first MetalCraft fireboat Firestorm and the Phoenix models as well as the MetalCraft Towboat series.
Through his involvement with the Potomac River Rescue Association, Terry has planned and conducted numerous multi-jurisdictional maritime response drills in the National Capital Region and been a facilitator between jurisdictions to improve interoperability and cooperation for marine emergency response in the region.
Terry has been a salvage surveyor for BoatsUS Marine Insurance Claims for hurricanes Ivan and Katrina performing salvage coordination and logistics in the Pensacola Florida and Gulfport / Biloxi Mississippi region.
Terry is a former Chairman of the Potomac River Rescue Association, a member of the USCG National Capital Region Area Maritime Security Committee and former Chairman of C-PORT (the national association for marine assistance towing and salvage). Terry sits on the Prince William County Wetlands Board and Chesapeake Bay Area Preservation Board. In addition, he has been a Mercruiser, Volvo, and OMC certified Marine Technician for over 15 years and a certified diver for 30 years.
He is an honorary member of the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department and qualified fireboat operator.
Jim McAllister
Owner / Instructor
Jim McAllister holds a USCG Master 100 Ton License a with Towing Endorsement. Through this experience, Jim has become a USCG Approved instructor for the USCG Merchant Mariner Master Certification, OUPV, Rules of the Road and Towing courses.
Jim is an instructor for the National Association of State Boating Law Administrator's (NASBLA) Fire Boat Small, Boat Crew Member and Boat operator Search and Rescue courses.
Jim has written specifications, designed, and purchased equipment for the fire department including the marine division for the past several years. He has provided input and design considerations for the MCM, fire boat series “FIRESTORM” and PHOENIX”. Jim has provided consultation services to organizations helping them understand their needs, identify and write their requirements and identify funding sources to secure the proper assets for the conditions they operate and within for the missions they routinely perform.
Jim has presented seminars in a variety of setting including the International Workboat Show in New Orleans.
Jim began his service in public safety as a lifeguard for a boys and girls club in upstate New York in the early 1980’s. Jim has served as a volunteer firefighter since 1985 in New York, Florida, and Virginia, and has held every rank up to Department Chief, including Assistant Chief of Marine Operations for the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department in Northern Virginia. He earned his instructor certifications within the fire service in 1995 and became a Commonwealth of Virginia Fire Programs Associate Instructor 1996. Jim currently holds numerous fire department certifications for both fire and EMS. As the training coordinator for the Potomac River Rescue Association, Jim has planned and conducted several multi-jurisdictional maritime response drills.
Jim has served or currently serves on the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, Potomac River Regional Response Plan Committee, and the USCG National Capital Region Area Maritime Committee.
Jim is an instructor for the National Association of State Boating Law Administrator's (NASBLA) Fire Boat Small, Boat Crew Member and Boat operator Search and Rescue courses.
Jim has written specifications, designed, and purchased equipment for the fire department including the marine division for the past several years. He has provided input and design considerations for the MCM, fire boat series “FIRESTORM” and PHOENIX”. Jim has provided consultation services to organizations helping them understand their needs, identify and write their requirements and identify funding sources to secure the proper assets for the conditions they operate and within for the missions they routinely perform.
Jim has presented seminars in a variety of setting including the International Workboat Show in New Orleans.
Jim began his service in public safety as a lifeguard for a boys and girls club in upstate New York in the early 1980’s. Jim has served as a volunteer firefighter since 1985 in New York, Florida, and Virginia, and has held every rank up to Department Chief, including Assistant Chief of Marine Operations for the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department in Northern Virginia. He earned his instructor certifications within the fire service in 1995 and became a Commonwealth of Virginia Fire Programs Associate Instructor 1996. Jim currently holds numerous fire department certifications for both fire and EMS. As the training coordinator for the Potomac River Rescue Association, Jim has planned and conducted several multi-jurisdictional maritime response drills.
Jim has served or currently serves on the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, Potomac River Regional Response Plan Committee, and the USCG National Capital Region Area Maritime Committee.