Captain Robert K. Lansden, USN
Captain Robert K. Lansden was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and graduated from the U.S Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY in 1986 with Majors in Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering. Shortly thereafter, he became a Commissioned Officer in the United States Naval Reserve.
Capt. Lansden graduated from the Tulane Law School in May 1994 specializing in Civil Law/Common Law and Maritime Law. That same year, he became Vice President of Lash Marine Services, the operating company for International Shipholding Corporation. From 1994 to 1997, he served as VP of Lash Marine Services.
With a Law and Maritime background, Capt. Lansden opened a Private Practice Law Firm in 1998, specializing in all admiralty matters, personal injury, corporate formation, and resolving nationwide marine claims.
While serving on active duty, 2004-2005, Capt. Lansden was assigned in N42 working for the Chief of Naval Operations. He acted as the Naval Liaison to Maritime Administration (MARAD) and Military Sealift Command Program Sponsor for the Merchant Marine Reserve (MMR). Concurrently, he led the MMR in supporting Army and Naval Logistic Operations while fighting the war on terrorism in Iraq.
Capt. Lansden commanded the USNS Pollux docked in New Orleans, Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. Under his command, the vessel safely rode through the storm and was used as a rescue/relief platform for emergency personnel and the people of New Orleans.
His additional military duty assignments include conducting Naval Gunfire Exercises on the USS EDSON (DD 946); helicopter operations, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Air Warfare and Underway Replenishments on the USS Samuel E. Morrison (FFG 13); Ship Handling Instructor, Little Creek, VA; Avondale Shipyards Quality Assurance Inspector and Design Engineer for the Bob Hope Project; Military Sealift Command Headquarters, and with the Maritime Administration, both in Washington D.C.
Capt. Lansden’s Merchant Marine professional experience includes U.S. Coast Guard License Master of Steam and Motor Vessels; U.S. Coast Guard License Third Assistant Engineer of Steam and Motor Vessels with the following assignments: USNS Altair, Master; USNS Pollux, Master; USNS Algol, Master; USNS Bellatrix, Master; USNS Regulus, Ro/Ro and Container; S.S. Pioneer Contractor, General Cargo; and the Port Captain, Officer-In-Charge of Ship’s Activation for Desert Storm. His Maritime Operational experience is comprised of tours on the C/S Charlie Brown, Cable Ship; C/S Global Mariner, Cable Ship; M/V Advantage, General Cargo; M/V American Cormorant, Semi-Submersible, Heavy Lift; M/V Sea Trader, General Cargo; M/V Sugar Islander, Bulk-Sugar; SS James Lykes, Break-bulk; SS Exxon Gettysberg, Product-oil-tanker; SS Del Sol, Bulk-grain; and SS Genevieve Lykes, Break-bulk.
Captain Lansden is a distinguished member of the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association, the American Maritime Officers Association, the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, the Military Order of Foreign Wars, and the Naval Order of the United States.
His awards and decorations include the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal, Desert Storm War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement during Hurricane Katrina, Silver Service Award-Hurricane Katrina Awarded by General Colin Powell, Letter of Commendation from Vice Admiral David L. Brewer III, USN, and various other awards.
Continuing active duty service, he was mobilized in January 2008 and attached to the Army’s 304’s Civil Affairs Brigade. He lead the Multi-National Division Southeast as Chief Civil Military Operations Center/J9 in Basra, Iraq with responsibility for the reconstruction of Basra and Southern Iraq during Operation Iraq Freedom. This included opening and rebuilding ports and infrastructure to restore Iraq’s natural transportation routes. In addition, Captain Lansden personally lead 150 missions to restore the support of the local populace and Marsh Arabs. In Bagdad in February 2009, he was decorated with the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq.
On July of 2009, he was released from active duty and returned to running his Maritime Law Practice and serving as a Captain in the United States Naval Reserve and sailing in the Merchant Marine.
