Carnival Cruise Lines has appointed Rear Adm. Roy A. Nash, who recently retired from the U.S. Coast Guard, to the company’s Safety & Reliability Review Board. The line announced the development of the board in April 2013 and Nash becomes the fifth external member of the board, joining experts with extensive leadership, operational and maintenance experience within the U.S. Navy and airline industry.

A part of Carnival’s comprehensive fleetwide technical enhancement program, the review board was created to provide independent third-party perspective and to drive continuous improvement across the line’s fleet. The core objectives of the board are to review Carnival Cruise Lines’ current policies, practices and performance, and to guide the company in incorporating best practices from other relevant fields and industries.

Rear Admiral Roy Nash recently completed his career as Commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District in New Orleans.  He was responsible for port safety and security, commercial vessel safety, and response operations across the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. His duties included 10,300 miles of the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio rivers. RADM Nash was previously assigned as Deputy Federal On Scene Coordinator for the nation’s response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, impacting five Gulf Coast states.  

 He commanded field units, serving as Captain of the Port, advancing maritime safety, security and environmental protection. He commanded the Marine Safety Center, the Coast Guard’s technical center reviewing design, engineering, and fire safety plans of commercial ships, tank barges and mobile offshore drilling units. Nash initially served in engineering positions afloat, on staff, and as marine inspector, investigator and environmental responder.  

Rear Admiral Nash holds a master of science degree in Fire Protection Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.  He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Meritorious Service Medals, among other awards during his 34-year career.  

“Rear Admiral Nash brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board and will work together with other members to position Carnival Cruise Lines as an industry leader in operational best practices,” said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines. “Our new technical, safety and reliability initiative is designed to ensure we’re going above and beyond in all areas of technical operations.”