Marine Safety Leaders

Rear Admiral Select Robert C. Compher

Rear Admiral Select Robert C. Compher serves as the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, and is responsible for the development of national policy, standards, and programs promoting Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Stewardship. Three Directorates carry out the mission: Inspections and Compliance, Marine Transportation Systems, and Commercial Regulations and Standards.

CAPT Daniel H. Cost

Captain Cost assumed duties as Director of Inspections and Compliance at Coast Guard Headquarters in June 2026. In this position, he develops and maintains policy, standards, and program alignment for all prevention activities associated with recreational boating safety, foreign and domestic commercial vessel compliance, international and domestic ports and facilities safety and security, vessel documentation, and marine casualty investigation.

Full bio

Mike Emerson

Mike Emerson serves as the Director of the Marine Transportation Systems at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters.  This directorate is responsible for a wide variety of navigation safety and security functions including Waterways Management, Aids to Navigation, Domestic and Polar Ice Operations, Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning and Bridge and Arctic Programs…

Full bio