Drew Ehlers is the Deputy Director of the Office of Marine Safety at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The Office of Marine Safety is responsible for investigating major marine casualties in the United States or on US vessels worldwide. Drew began working at the NTSB in 2016 and was named Deputy Director of the Office of Marine Safety in June 2026.

Before becoming the Deputy Director, Drew was a senior marine accident investigator at the agency. In this role, he served as investigator-in-charge or group chairman on numerous marine casualty investigations, including the diveboat Conception fire and the liftboat SEACOR Power capsizing, as well as the ongoing investigation into the fishing vessel Wind Walker capsizing.

Before joining the NTSB, Drew enjoyed a career in the US Navy. During his 20 years of service, he served on various guided-missile destroyers and frigates and commanded the destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67).

A native of Syracuse, New York, Drew holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University. He also holds a merchant marine credential as a Master of Unlimited Tonnage Vessels (Oceans).