Patrick Gallagher is a seasoned maritime leader and operations strategist with over three decades of experience navigating the complexities of marine safety, port operations, and coastal resilience. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound, a nonprofit organization that operates a 24/7 vessel tracking and information center covering Puget Sound and the outer Washington coast. Under his leadership, the Marine Exchange plays a pivotal role in maritime domain awareness, supporting everything from real-time ship traffic management to federal regulatory compliance and environmental protection.
A retired U.S. Coast Guard officer, Patrick has brought a spirit of service and innovation to civilian maritime operations, leveraging his experience in command, crisis response, and interagency coordination. He is at the forefront of efforts to integrate independent maritime monitoring systems with government operations. Most notably, he is leading the development of the Marine Exchange as a backup center for the Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic Service, ensuring operational continuity for one of the busiest and most geographically complex waterways in the country.
Patrick chairs the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee and the WA State Wildlife Diversity Advisory Council. He is also spearheading a new agreement with NOAA to monitor the IMO-designated Area to be Avoided off the coast of Washington within the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, further aligning commercial operations with environmental stewardship.
An advocate for practical, tech-enabled solutions, Patrick supports workforce development, port efficiency, and cyber-resilience through regional partnerships. His team manages a growing AIS network, supports maritime stakeholders daily, and uses data analytics to improve port throughput and reduce anchorage congestion.
A lifelong learner and strategist, Patrick also contributes to national discussions on maritime data systems through MISNA (Marine Information Systems of North America) as the Vice President, and is an active voice in rethinking how small organizations can drive large-scale innovation in the blue economy. He holds an MBA and blends his operational knowledge with business acumen, policy insight, and a deep respect for maritime tradition.
Outside of work, Patrick is a father, gardener, DJ, and maritime advocate based on Bainbridge Island, WA. He is currently developing a community-focused Maritime Center and exploring entrepreneurial ventures that connect maritime knowledge with digital innovation, education, and resilience.