“Since 1807, Coast Survey has been keeping mariners safe and maritime commerce flowing. It’s an honor to be a small part of its history.” – Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA Administrator and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
This January, NOAA staff, partners, and friends gathered to witness the change of command and assumption of the 32nd Director of the Office of Coast Survey.
NOAA Corps Rear Admiral (lower half) Chris van Westendorp accepted command of the Office of Coast Survey, relieving Rear Admiral (lower half) Benjamin K. Evans.
Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA Administrator and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, opened the ceremony describing not only the American economy’s dependence on the work of Coast Survey–noting our nautical charts, precision marine navigation products and services, and coordinating with key partners all ensure that the trillions of dollars worth of goods move through our ports every year–but his personal use of the charts as a redfish flats fisherman in Charleston. An extra inch in draft could be worth $3 million to a container ship, and is also worth the price of being grounded in a skiff!
After the welcome, Director of the NOAA Corps and Assistant Administrator for Marine and Aviation Operations Rear Admiral Chad Cary promoted Captain Chris van Westendorp to Rear Admiral (lower half). The Office of Coast Survey has one of only four flag officer positions in the NOAA Corps, with the rank of a one-star Admiral requiring Presidential approval.
Left: Rear Adm. van Westendorp dons his Admiral’s jacket during the reading of his promotion orders, assisted by his wife, Gina Babbitt, and friend, Cmdr. Aaron Kline (U.S. Navy Reserve, retired). Right: Rear Adm. Cary and Rear Adm. van Westendorp shake hands after reciting the oath of office. (Damian Manda/NOAA)
Following the promotion, Assistant Administrator of the National Ocean Service Nicole LeBoeuf began the change of command portion of the ceremony by reflecting on Rear Adm. Evans’s tenure. Under his leadership, Coast Survey mounted several successful emergency responses to reopen ports quickly and safety after disasters; completed a transition to electronic navigational charts; supported the late Rear Admiral (lower half) Rick Brennan’s legacy through the Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund; ushered in the transition to the National Bathymetric Source and new S-100 framework; and launched the Center of Excellence for Oceans and Great Lakes Mapping public-private partnership, among many other accomplishments. As the National Hydrographer for U.S. waters, Rear Adm. Evans led U.S. delegations to the International Hydrographic Organization, as well as the development of its strategic plan that will guide its work for the next six years.
For his exemplary service and these accomplishments, Ms. LeBoeuf and Dr. Jacobs presented Rear Adm. Evans the NOAA Corps Meritorious Service Award, the highest honorary award of the NOAA Commissioned Corps uniformed service.
After a reflection on his own career, Rear Adm. Ben Evans welcomed Rear Adm. van Westendorp to the role, stating:
“Coast Survey and its workforce have led incredible accomplishments over their 218-year history, and the last four years have been no exception. But the work is not done.
Even today, in 2026, almost half of U.S. waters–an area about the size of the U.S. east of the Mississippi–are not mapped to modern standards. And, we face the tremendous challenge of transforming our product suite from traditional electronic charts to the next generation international standard that will unlock even greater safety and efficiency on our waterways.
These may sound like technical problems. But I believe that we have the tools, technology, and expertise to solve them. The essential ingredient for success will be a continued focus on our people. Which is exactly why I am excited for Admiral van Westendorp to take on this challenge, with his people-centered leadership, character, and experience.”
Rear Adm. van Westendorp came to the NOAA Corps following his service with the U.S. Navy aboard nuclear submarines. At sea, onboard NOAA ships Thomas Jefferson and Ferdinand R. Hassler, he deployed uncrewed systems and led hurricane response efforts. Back at headquarters, Rear Adm. van Westendorp served in Coast Survey as the Navigation Services Division Chief; within NOAA’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer; as the Executive Director to the Deputy Under Secretary for Operations; and, in his post just prior to this appointment, as director of the Commissioned Personnel Center. He has devoted his career to championing the nation’s premier mariners, scientists, scientific operators and human resource experts, while promoting inter-agency and international advances in hydrography, oceanography and atmospheric sciences.
With this appointment also comes the responsibility of serving as a member designee of the Mississippi River Commission. Several U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel who support the Commission took a moment to swear in Rear Adm. van Westendorp into his new role.
Assistant Administrator Nicole LeBoeuf, Rear Adm. Chad Cary, and Rear Adm. Ben Evans each touched on Rear Adm. van Westendorp’s longstanding reputation as someone who could tackle any technical and administrative challenge by connecting with and empowering his team–focusing most on developing the people around him to go further together than alone.
In his own words, Rear Adm. van Westendorp stated,
“I am eager to accelerate automation, see advances in hydrography and cartography, while embracing Coast Survey’s history. Alongside our founding mandate to acquire and disseminate hydrographic data, our focus on modeling is complex and exciting, and with our Ocean Service and NOAA partnerships, we have the right minds to ensure success.
I expect Coast Survey to be the provider of choice for geospatial marine data and services, and a respected global leader in hydrographic services and technology. We will prioritize our people, developing and retaining the best, who will ensure we remain at the forefront of innovation and deliver critical products and services that meet or exceed the needs of our vast maritime transportation system.”
And then, “Let’s get to work.”