According to a recent announcement from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Eric Stolzenberg has been named the new director of its Office of Marine Safety, starting July 27, 2025. This office plays a crucial role in probing significant marine accidents across the U.S. and involving American-flagged vessels globally.NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy praised Stolzenberg’s extensive experience and leadership skills, noting his contributions to high-profile investigations such as the El Faro disaster and various vessel collisions in urban areas like Baltimore and Manhattan, as well as the Titan submersible incident. Having stepped into the acting director role in March 2024,Stolzenberg is no stranger to maritime challenges.
His journey with NTSB began back in 2008 when he took on responsibilities as an engineering investigator.Over time, he has led several notable marine investigations and chaired technical groups focused on naval architecture and marine engineering mishaps—most notably during the El Faro sinking inquiry.
Before his tenure at NTSB, Stolzenberg accumulated eight years of experience in the Merchant Marine followed by over ten years working with vessel design firms where he rose to become assistant chief naval architect. He earned his degree in Naval Architecture from New York State Maritime College along with an engineering officer license.
This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for NTSB as it tackles several major maritime incidents currently under investigation. These include notable events like the collision between containership Dali and Francis Scott Key bridge that led to its collapse, along with other significant encounters involving military vessels such as USS Harry S. Truman.
“Eric’s guidance will ensure that our Office of Marine Safety continues its tradition of excellence while advancing our mission to save lives,” added Homendy enthusiastically.
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