The latest episode of The IAMI Show is out, and we are proud to share that it includes a well-earned nod to our own Caroline Mantel, the industry’s HIN expert.
A Deep Dive into Marine Insurance and IAMI
In the second episode of The IAMI Show, Steven Treat, the host, engages in an extensive discussion with Kerry McCook, the former President of IAMI and the current Secretary/Treasurer. They delve into various aspects of the marine insurance sector and the efforts of IAMI in areas such as investigation, education, and fraud prevention. This informative and honest 43-minute conversation serves as an excellent introduction for those looking to grasp how the individuals working behind the scenes safeguard boat buyers, lenders, and insurers.
The International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI) brings together professionals from law enforcement, insurance, surveying, and the marine trades to combat marine theft and fraud. Conversations like this one are part of how that knowledge gets shared across the field.
The HIN Moment
Around the 36-minute mark, Caroline Mantel gets a shout-out as the industry’s go-to HIN expert, recognized as the person who knows more about HINs than just about anyone.
For those of us who work with Caroline every day, that recognition is no surprise. Hull Identification Numbers are the DNA of a vessel: a unique identifier that ties a boat to its history, its title, and its true story. Decoding them correctly, spotting when one has been altered, and understanding how states assign and reassign them is detailed, specialized work. It is also exactly the work that sits at the center of what we do at Boat History Report.
Who Is Caroline Mantel?
Caroline serves as Director of Business Development at Boat History Report and as First Vice President of IAMI. She is IAMI’s designated subject matter expert on Hull Identification Numbers and a frequent speaker on HIN integrity, vessel titling, and marine fraud prevention at industry and law enforcement events across the country.
Her focus on HINs is not academic. It shows up in real cases every day: the salvage boat advertised as “like new,” the altered identifier on a stolen hull, the branded title a seller hoped no one would check. Knowing HINs inside and out is how those stories come to light.
Why It Matters to Boat Buyers
A Hull Identification Number is the single most reliable starting point for uncovering a boat’s real history. Run it, and records that never make it into a listing can surface: prior total losses, salvage and auction events, title brands, and reported damage. Sellers do not always tell the whole story, and titles do not always carry it. The HIN is how you check.
That is the connection between the expertise recognized on this episode and the protection we offer every customer. The same knowledge that earns a shout-out on The IAMI Show is built into every report we produce. For more information on how to verify HINs and research pre-owned boats, check out our article titled: How to check a Boat History Before Buying
Give It a Listen
Congratulations to Kerry McCook and Steven Treat on a terrific episode, and thank you for the kind words about Caroline. If you work in or around marine insurance, investigation, lending, or surveying, this one is worth your time.
Listen to Episode 2 of The IAMI Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iami-show-episode-2-kerry-mccook/id1896506148?i=1000770787973
If you have an idea of someone who would be an excellent guest on the podcast, please reach out to caroline@boathistoryreport.com.
Learn more about IAMI at www.IAMIMarine.org.
And before you buy your next boat, run a Boat History Report. Because boats can’t talk, but their history can.
