As Sector Commander of Maryland-National Capital Region (NCR), CAPT David O’Connell leads CG operational forces in the execution and coordination of all maritime safety, security, and environmental missions. This includes eight Multi-Mission Stations,
three Aids to Navigation Teams, and one CG Cutter operating on the Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay north of the VA/ MD line and its tributaries, as well as Ocean City, MD. Prior to assuming Command of Sector MD-NCR, Captain O’Connell served as the Chief of Prevention for the Fifth Coast Guard District. In this position, Captain O’Connell oversaw the Coast Guard’s Maritime Prevention mission including Maritime Safety, Security, Inspections, Investigations, Recreational Boating Safety, Waterways Management, Aids to Navigation, Ice Breaking, Bridge Management, and Offshore Energy projects for the Mid-Atlantic Region from New Jersey to the North Carolina/South Carolina boarder.

Captain O’Connell’s previous Coast Guard port tours include Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach and Sector Boston.

In addition to being a Prevention Officer, Captain O’Connell is also a Coast Guard JAG officer. His legal tours include the U.S. Naval War College’s International Law Department instructing in the areas of maritime law enforcement, maritime security operations and international law; the Department of Justice, Environmental Crimes Section, where he prosecuted numerous vessel pollution cases against vessel owners and operators for violations of international and domestic pollution regulations; the Coast Guard’s Office of Maritime and International Law’s Prevention Law Group, where he worked on international law, ocean policy, marine safety/security, and environmental protection issues; and the Pacific Area JAG office.

Captain O’Connell is a native of East Hampton, N.Y, He has been married to his wife Kelly for 21 years, and they have two children, Quinn (15) and Layne (17).