About Coast Survey

RDML Chris van Westendorp was appointed as the Office of Coast Survey Director and U.S. National Hydrographer in January 2026. He is responsible for overseeing NOAA's hydrographic services, including the mapping and charting of all U.S. coastal waters, as well as representing the U.S. in international hydrographic efforts. RDML van Westendorp is the 32nd leader of the office since the first superintendent, Ferdinand R. Hassler, was appointed in 1833.

RDML van Westendorp has served with NOAA and the U.S. Navy since 1999, devoted to developing and leading the nation's premier mariners, scientists, scientific operators and support staff, while promoting inter-agency and international advances in hydrography, oceanography and atmospheric sciences.

Over the course of nearly 11 years of sea duty, he served up through the officer ranks onboard the Navy nuclear submarine USS Oklahoma City and numerous NOAA ships, including Thomas Jefferson and Ferdinand R. Hassler. His seagoing experience culminated in command of Thomas Jefferson from 2016-2019, where he led an unprecedented range of missions from demonstrating the capability of uncrewed small craft to conducting emergency response surveys in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricane Maria.

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, RDML van Westendorp received a Navy commission and Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1999, later transferring to the NOAA Commissioned Corps in 2005. He holds a Master of Science in Marine Sciences from Savannah State University and Certificate in Public Leadership from the Brookings Institution, as well as has completed a Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Fellowship.

RDML van Westendorp's notable citations include two Department of Commerce Gold Medals, Department of Commerce Bronze Medal, NOAA Corps Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and NOAA Administrator's Award, in addition to numerous other individual, unit and campaign awards.