Sophlex Marine Management

About Us

Sophlex Enterprises, Inc. dba Sophlex Marine Management, Sophlex Ship Management, Inc., Sophlex Gulf Shipping are all companies founded by Capt. Timothy Levensaler in order to provide customized, quality vessel management services to vessel owners and operators, both in the U.S. and abroad.  Capt. Levensaler, founder of Sophlex, has worked in the marine industry since his graduation in 1983 from Maine Maritime Academy with a bachelor’s degree in Nautical Science (with highest honors). Captain Levensaler sailed as a Master Mariner for 13 years.  During this time he also served as Project Manager for several multi-million dollar government projects, ship conversions, and repairs.  He also was appointed as Ship Superintendent for numerous shipyard projects for several different companies.

In January 2000, Sophlex was approached by an investment group to provide complete top to bottom crewing and management services for a then unidentified vessel to operate out of Corpus Christi, Texas. Captain Levensaler was tasked to identify and enter into a purchase agreement for a vessel.  In June 2000 a lease purchase agreement was signed for the 11,000 ton “Texas Treasure”  In July 2000 Sophlex took control of the vessel and delivered it to Corpus Christi.  Sophlex successfully operated this vessel for one year as agreed.  During this time Sophlex identified and assisted in the purchase of a second vessel, Texas Treasure II.  This vessel was converted to a casino vessel and put into service in October 2002 in Palm Beach, Florida.  At this time the company brought the Management of its tow vessels in house and both vessels were turned over to Texas Day Cruises, Inc.

In 1999 Sophlex was contracted to provide crewing, Pilotage and management services for the 1700 passenger casino Vessel, “New Yorker” out of Port Canaveral Florida.  This contract was for one year start-up phase of this casino project in which Sophlex was very instrumental.  Once its newly constructed vessel became available, the company owned foreign flag vessel replaced the “New Yorker” and vessel management as well as foreign crewing was brought in house.  The company is now one of the most successful Casino Operations in the US: Sterling Casino Lines.