Jason Neubauer
Deputy Chief, U.S. Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis
Jason Neubauer graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy with a science degree in marine engineering and naval architecture. He was commissioned as an ensign after graduation.
Neubauer inspected offshore drilling vessels and investigated marine casualties for three years in the Marine Safety Office Morgan City after completing an initial marine inspection training tour in Seattle. He served as prevention department chief and deputy commander and oversaw Coast Guard operations throughout the Captain of the Port Zone, including the Hawaiian Islands and American Samoa. He later managed prevention operations along 300 miles of Lake Michigan coast line as well as part of the Illinois River and tributaries as commanding officer of Marine Safety Unit Chicago.
Neubauer served as chief of the Office of Investigations and Analysis (CG-INV) at Coast Guard Headquarters for eight years prior to retiring from the service. He continues to serve as deputy chief of the CG-INV as a civilian. He has chaired three Commandant-level Marine Boards of Investigation.
In the News…
Deputy Chief Jason Neubauer, chair of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation for the Titan, announced that the implosion of submersible Titan in June 2023 was “preventable.“ Inadequate design and toxic workplace culture were identified as causes of the implosion, which killed all five people aboard.
Neubauer said, “The two-year investigation has identified multiple contributing factors that led to this tragedy, providing valuable lessons learned to prevent a future occurrence.”
He continued, “There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework. I am optimistic the [Report of Investigation’s] findings and recommendations will help improve awareness of the risks and the importance of proper oversight while still providing a pathway for innovation.”
“The board determined the primary contributing factors were OceanGate’s inadequate design, certification, maintenance, and inspection process for the Titan,” Chair Neubauer stated in announcing the report. “Other factors cited in the report include a toxic workplace culture at OceanGate, an inadequate domestic and international regulatory framework for submersible operations and vessels of novel design, and an ineffective whistleblower process under the Seaman’s Protection Act.“
