James A. Watson
Encyclopedia
James A. Watson is a United States Coast Guard
Rear Admiral
.
Watson became Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command in April 2010. Among his duties is Federal On Scene Coordinator
of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
. He succeeded Mary Landry
on June 1, 2010 in that position. He had been her deputy.
He first graduated with honors from Mount Saint Joe in 1974 followed by the United States Coast Guard Academy
in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering. He received Master of Science degrees in 1985 in Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture from the University of Michigan
. He received a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
.
He was Engineering Officer/Student Engineer aboard the USCGC Bibb (WPG-31)
(1978–1980). In headquarters he was Staff Engineer – Marine Technical and Hazardous Materials Division (1980–1983), Staff Naval Architect - USCG Marine Safety Center (1986–1989), Chief of Port Operations Marine Safety Office Puget Sound (1989–1992), Executive Officer Marine Safety Office Savannah (1992–1995), Commanding Officer Marine Safety Office San Diego (1995–1998), Program Reviewer - Office of Budget and Programs (1998–2000), Commanding Officer Marine Safety Office Miami (2001–2004), Chief, Office of Budget and Programs, Coast Guard Headquarters (2004–2006), Chief of Staff of the Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami (2006–2007).
He was promoted to flag officer
in 2007 as Director of Prevention Policy for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship, Coast Guard Headquarters where he was responsible for Waterways Management, Boating Safety, Commercial Vessel Safety and Security, Ports and Cargo Safety and Security, Maritime Investigations, and Quality Traveling Inspectors, Atlantic Area’s first Director of Operations and Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command in April 2010.
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
.
Watson became Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command in April 2010. Among his duties is Federal On Scene Coordinator
Federal On Scene Coordinator
The Federal On Scene Coordinator , is a designation in the United States for an individual that:*Is responsible for providing access to federal resources and technical assistance...
of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which flowed unabated for three months in 2010, and continues to leak fresh oil. It is the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry...
. He succeeded Mary Landry
Mary Landry
Mary E. Landry is a Rear Admiral in the United States Coast Guard. Rear Admiral Mary E. Landry serves as the Commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District and Commander of Task Force 189.8, headquartered in New Orleans. As District Commander, Rear Admiral Landry is responsible for U.S...
on June 1, 2010 in that position. He had been her deputy.
He first graduated with honors from Mount Saint Joe in 1974 followed by the United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy
Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy is the military academy of the United States Coast Guard. Located in New London, Connecticut, it is the smallest of the five federal service academies...
in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering. He received Master of Science degrees in 1985 in Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. He received a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
Industrial College of the Armed Forces
The Industrial College of the Armed Forces is a U.S. military educational institution tasked with preparing military officers and civilian government officials for leadership and executive positions in the field of national security...
.
He was Engineering Officer/Student Engineer aboard the USCGC Bibb (WPG-31)
USCGC Bibb (WPG-31)
The USCGC Bibb was a Secretary-Class Coast Guard ship commissioned in 1936. Seven similar "combat cutters" were built and named for secretaries of the United States Treasury. The legendary Bibb was named for U.S. Secretary of the Treasury George M. Bibb.The ship saw service in World War II...
(1978–1980). In headquarters he was Staff Engineer – Marine Technical and Hazardous Materials Division (1980–1983), Staff Naval Architect - USCG Marine Safety Center (1986–1989), Chief of Port Operations Marine Safety Office Puget Sound (1989–1992), Executive Officer Marine Safety Office Savannah (1992–1995), Commanding Officer Marine Safety Office San Diego (1995–1998), Program Reviewer - Office of Budget and Programs (1998–2000), Commanding Officer Marine Safety Office Miami (2001–2004), Chief, Office of Budget and Programs, Coast Guard Headquarters (2004–2006), Chief of Staff of the Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami (2006–2007).
He was promoted to flag officer
Flag Officer
A flag officer is a commissioned officer in a nation's armed forces senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to mark where the officer exercises command. The term usually refers to the senior officers in an English-speaking nation's navy, specifically those who hold any of the admiral ranks; in...
in 2007 as Director of Prevention Policy for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship, Coast Guard Headquarters where he was responsible for Waterways Management, Boating Safety, Commercial Vessel Safety and Security, Ports and Cargo Safety and Security, Maritime Investigations, and Quality Traveling Inspectors, Atlantic Area’s first Director of Operations and Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command in April 2010.
Command Events
- 2003 Al-Qaeda attack on SS Norway during Top-Off 2 in Miami
- BP Deepwater Horizon cleanup