United States Coast Guard- Sector Commander and Captain of the Port - Sector Los Angeles

CAPTAIN JENNIFER F. WILLIAMS

Captain Williams assumed her duties as Sector Commander and Captain of the Port for U.S. Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles - Long Beach in June 2014. From command offices on Terminal Island in San Pedro, the Sector coordinates operations in an area of responsibility stretching more than 350 miles along the California coast, from north of Morro Bay and south to San Clemente, out to 200 miles offshore, and includes the nation's largest port complex. The Sector oversees four patrol boats, three multi-mission small boat stations, a marine safety detachment, a vessel traffic system and an aids-to-navigation team.

Captain Williams is a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and an unlimited   tonnage  third  mate  merchant  mariner license. Captain Williams earned her Master of Science in Quality Systems Management in 2006 from the National Graduate School.

Prior to taking command, Captain Williams served as Deputy Commander and Alternate Captain of the Port at Sector Los Angeles - Long Beach beginning in May 2012. Captain Williams' field assignments include Marine Safety Office Honolulu, Marine Safety Office San Diego, and Marine Safety Office Providence, and Sector North Carolina serving in the capacity of Marine Inspector, Senior Investigating Officer, Chief of Inspection, and Prevention Department Head. Captain Williams' prior staff assignments include Coast Guard Headquarters , Washington D.C. serving in the Office of Investigations and Analysis and later in the Office of Compliance. Captain Williams' most recent assignment was at Coast Guard Headquarters in the Office of Vessel Activities, as the Chief of the Foreign & Offshore Vessel Compliance Division (CG- 5432). In this capacity, she established policy for the U. S. Coast Guard's Port State Control program, High Interest Vessel Program, Special Interest Vessel Program, Qualship 21, Environmental Compliance Program, and management of the foreign offshore industry compliance program.

Captain Williams is a native of Freeland, Maryland. She and her husband Commander John Williams (USCG, ret.) have three sons; Joseph, Seth and Ethan plus two step sons; Patrick and Christopher.