Born on September 28th 1972 in Coteana, Olt county, Romania, he graduated “A. I. Cuza” Navy Highschool in Constanța in 1991 and in 1996 “Mircea cel Batran” Naval Academy as an engineer in Navigation Equipment’s and Hydrography as lieutenant junior grade.

He was promoted to lieutenant in 2001, to lieutenant commander in 2005, to commander in 2010 and to captain in 2015.

Upon completion of the Naval Academy courses, he was assigned to the first position as a Second Officer and Chief of a combat service, navigation and transmission to one of the Corvettes of the Submarine Hunting Squadron. Between 1998-2004 he worked onboard of "Grozavul" Marine Salvage and Intervention Tug, where he held positions in the field of navigation and communications. During this period he obtained a diver diploma and he participated in various missions aboard the ship or as a diver in multinational exercises in which the Naval Forces also took part in humanitarian actions (the earthquake in Turkey - 1999, the fire extinction on board the Mesta).

In 2004 he was appointed Chief of Communications and Informatics at the Diving Squadron, a job he held until 2006, when he was admitted to "Carol I" National Defense University as a master officer, in the specialization of the Leadership in Naval Forces. During this period, various training courses were completed, such as: GMDSS course, naval communication instructor course, crisis management course, and intensive English courses.

After the graduation in 2008, he was assigned to the position of Chief of Staff at the Naval Racket Division, and from October 2009 to September 2016 he served as Chief of Staff at the Maritime Hydrographic Directorate.

During 2008-2011, he has perfected his academic training at UNAp's doctoral courses in the field of "Military Sciences and Information".

He taught the science of navigation as associate professor at the Naval Academy "Mircea cel Batran" in Constanta for both military and civilian students from 2009 to 2016.

From September 2016 to August 2017, he was empowered as Deputy of the Maritime Hydrographic Directorate.

Starting August 2017, he is honored to lead the Maritime Hydrographic Directorate focusing on fulfilling the tasks of the institution from the status of national authority in the hydrography field and maintaining a close connection with specialized national and international institutions in order to promote the image of Romanian Hydrography on an international scale.

As a mark of appreciation, for the proven professionalism and outstanding achievements throughout his career, he was awarded the following orders and distinctions: The Honorary Sign "In the Service of the Romanian Armed Forces" cls. III, Honorary Sign "Service in the Armed Forces" for 15 years of activity, Honorary Sign "Service in the Armed Forces" for 20 years of activity, Honorary Sign "Service in the Armed Forces" for 25 years of activity, Emblem of Honour” from Naval Forces, Emblem of Honour from General Staff, Emblem of Honour from Armed Forces.

Captain Nicolae Vatu is married to Steluta and has a daughter, Stefania-Bianca.

He speaks English fluently.

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