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Nickals Bender | USCG Captain | Former Fireboat Captain & EMT | ABYC Tech Tampa Bay, FL & Myrtle Beach, SC

Technical Expertise.
Personal Service. SALTY BENDER

Welcome to Salty Bender. Operating primarily out of the Tampa Bay, FL and Myrtle Beach, SC areas (and available to travel for vessel projects and deliveries), I deliver a highly technical and consultative approach to cruising yachts. Utilizing a background in college-level mechanical engineering, automated manufacturing, USCG Master Captaincy, emergency response as a former firefighter, EMT, and fireboat captain, and specialized ABYC technician training, I specialize in sailboat brokerage, paid crew & delivery captaincy, structured yacht management, certified TeekTrue synthetic teak decking, and marine systems service.

Nickals Bender - USCG Captain and ABYC Marine Technician in Tampa Bay and Myrtle Beach

Primary Operating Hubs: Tampa Bay, FL & Myrtle Beach, SC

Serving Florida's Gulf Coast, South Carolina's Grand Strand, and available for regional & offshore travel.

Travel Available for Projects & Deliveries

Fireboat Captain & EMT

Former professional firefighter & EMT. Calm, high-stakes safety & vessel command.

PADI Master Scuba Trainer

Certified dive trainer for underwater running gear, zinc, & hull evaluations.

Paid Crew & Deliveries

Available for coastal/offshore passages, relief captaincy, & owner assistance.

ABYC & Systems Expert

Engineering background, ABYC certified electrical, & BoatHowTo specialist.

Activities Pillar 1

Main Activity: Specialized Technical Services

Nickals Bender is a USCG Captain, ABYC Marine Technician, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, and BoatHowTo certified systems expert. Operating out of Tampa Bay, FL and Myrtle Beach, SC, my absolute true specialization is all things sailboats. I possess the high-end technical expertise to deliver meticulous problem-solving, not just repairs.

Advanced Marine Electrical and Electronics Work by ABYC Tech Nick Bender

Focus: Marine Electrical & Systems Diagnostics

Modern vessels are complex digital entities. Utilizing a background in college level mechanical engineering and advanced ABYC marine technician training, I specialize in isolating complex faults, optimizing NMEA 2000 networks, and integrating sophisticated systems (solar, Victron energy). If it's problematic, I can diagnose and correct it.

  • ABYC Certified Marine Technician
  • BoatHowTo Certified systems optimization
  • Deep electrical integration (Solar, Victron, Lithium)
  • Underwater running gear & hull checks (PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer)
ABYC Certified Technician Logo BoatHowTo Certified Systems Logo

Main Activity: Technically Informed Yacht Sales

Professional Yacht Sales International Logo

Operating under David Messina and Professional Yacht Sales International across Tampa Bay, Florida and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I bring my entire Captain, first responder, and ABYC technical background to brokerage. While my true passion is sailboats, I possess the technical expertise to represent and evaluate both sailboats and powerboats. I am a technical consultant, not a pushy salesman. Your decision is informed by hard data and systems analysis.

Technically Informed Yacht Brokerage Consultation

Sailboat Expertise

Deep, lifelong passion for sailboats. Expertise in auxiliary sailing systems, cruising yachts, coastal/offshore configurations, and technical evaluations.

Technical Pre-Purchase

Buyer and seller representation backed by an actual technical systems evaluation before surveyor review. I know the boats I list or inspect.

Consultative Broker

Clear Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) briefs and informed systems-based advice. Mobile-friendly interactive listings.

Synthetic Teak Decking

Synthetic Teak Decks. Luxury. Zero Maintenance.

Bring the high-end look of traditional teak to your sailboat or power yacht without the grueling maintenance. Serving boat owners in Tampa Bay, Myrtle Beach, and surrounding coastal regions, I am a certified installer for TeekTrue synthetic teak decking (teektrue.com). We template perfectly to cockpits, swim platforms, and side decks. Partnering with Smitty’s Marine Woodworking for pristine results.

Teak True Certified Installer Logo Beautiful Marine Floors Certified Logo
Completed TeekTrue Synthetic Teak Flooring Installation
Yacht Management and Inspections in FL and SC
Yacht Management & Captaincy

Yacht Management & Paid Crew Services

Running a busy consultative yacht brokerage (Professional Yacht Sales International) across Tampa Bay and Myrtle Beach gives me unparalleled visibility into vessel logistics and owner requirements. I leverage a unique background as a USCG Master Captain, former firefighter, EMT, fireboat captain, and automated manufacturing engineer to deliver structured, proactive yacht management and captain services.

Yacht Management Programs: Custom-engineered maintenance, system exercises, and turn-key readiness in Tampa Bay & Myrtle Beach.
Paid Crew & Vessel Deliveries: Available for professional yacht deliveries (Gulf / Atlantic / ICW), relief captaincy, owner-assisted passages, and paid crew roles.
First Responder Safety Focus: Extensive fire/EMT background guarantees strict safety protocols, emergency preparedness, and peace of mind.