Derek Moss is the Assistant Commissioner for the Canadian Coast Guard Western Region, headquartered in Victoria, BC. In this capacity, he is privileged to lead a highly effective and motivated team that oversees the Coast Guard’s operations, engagements and reconciliation, personnel, and finances in Canada’s western waters.

Before joining Western region, Derek was the Senior Director Fleet in Central region, where he managed the Coast Guard’s vessel and aircraft fleets in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, northern gulf of St. Lawrence, Hudson Bay, and Arctic waters.

Derek served in National Headquarters in Ottawa as the Senior Director Operational Support, responsible for policy on fleet readiness and requirements, icebreaking program, Aids to Navigation and Waterways, and Marine Communications and Traffic Services. Previously in the Coast Guard, Derek was the Director, Incident Management and subsequently the Director, Maritime Security and Intelligence. In addition to his regular work, Derek involved himself in Arctic and Northern projects as well as Maritime Security issues.

Prior to joining the Coast Guard, Derek served in the Royal Canadian Navy. He was Commanding Officer of the Halifax-class frigate HMCS REGINA, Commandant of the Naval Officer Training Centre (VENTURE) in Esquimalt, Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force North in Yellowknife, and Chief of Staff Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic in Halifax.

Derek is a graduate from the University of Ottawa and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communications). He is also a graduate of the Command and Staff Course at Canadian Forces College Toronto, where he completed a Master of Defence Studies, and the National War College in Washington, DC, where he received a Master of Science in National Security Strategy. Derek attended the National Defense University in Washington for a year as an International Fellow. He holds a Master Mariner certificate issued by Transport Canada.