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Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force

Captain David W. Murk, United States Coast Guard

Byron Black

Captain Murk is currently assigned as the Senior Maritime Safety and Security Advisor to the Secretary of Transportation.

Captain Murk began his career at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science from the Academy in 1990, he was assigned to the US Coast Guard Cutter THETIS, a medium endurance ship home ported in Key West, Florida, where he was involved in drug and illegal migrant interdiction and marine fisheries enforcement. Following this tour, Captain Murk moved into the marine safety, security, and environmental protection field where he has spent the last 19 years of his career in various operational and administrative assignments in the Gulf and Southeast United States. In the aftermath of 9-11, he served on the personal staff of the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection preparing testimony for congressional budget, homeland security and program hearings, and facilitating the review of congressionally sponsored legislative initiatives impacting Coast Guard port security operations and maritime industry. Captain Murks most recent operational assignment included three years as the Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Unit Savannah, Georgia, where he had federal safety, security, and environmental protection responsibility and oversight for the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick, Georgia, 100+ miles of coastline and navigable waterways in state of Georgia. Prior to his current position with the Department of Transportation, Captain Murk was the Chief of the Cargo and Facilities Division at Coast Guard Headquarters where he was responsible for program management and oversight of policy development for field operations involving facility and cargo safety and security.

Captain Murk has a Masters Degree in Business Administration in Public Management. He has received the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, other unit and personal awards, and has earned the Marine Safety Insignia. He currently resides in Potomac, Maryland, with his wife Pam and sons Alexander, Benjamin and Cameron.

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