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CGC Blue Shark was the 60th cutter built in the Coast Guard's line of Marine Protector Class cutters. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amy Nuckolls. |
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Food service specialists from Henry Blake, a Coast Guard Auxiliarist, and the food service specialist aboard Blue Shark worked together to prepared a variety of food for Blue Shark's change of command ceremony. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amy Nuckolls. |
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Crew members from Blue Shark and Henry Blake prepared for and attended Blue Shark's change of command ceremony. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amy Nuckolls. |
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During the ceremony, Kates relieved Wojcik as Blue Shark's commanding officer. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amy Nuckolls. |
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After the ceremony, Wojcik will be attending the Haas School of Business at the University of California-Berkeley under the Coast Guard Financial Management program. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amy Nuckolls. |
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The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition among all Coast Guard units. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amy Nuckolls. |
EVERETT, Wash. – Lt. j.g. Elizabeth Kates assumed the duties and responsibilities as commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Blue Shark from Lt. Nathan Wojcik, the Blue Shark’s previous commanding officer, during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Station Everett, July 17, 2013.
The change-of-command ceremony was presided over by Capt. Scott Ferguson, commander of Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound.
Kates was previously assigned as first lieutenant aboard Coast Guard Cutter Resolute, a 210-foot Reliance class cutter homeported in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Wojcik will attend the Haas School of Business at the University of California-Berkeley under the Coast Guard Financial Management program.
Blue Shark is an 87-foot patrol boat homeported here. The crew of Blue Shark are involved in a multitude of missions including homeland security, search and rescue, recreational boating safety, port safety and security, and law enforcement including: alien migrant interdiction, pollution prevention, marine sanctuary protection, drug interdiction and fisheries enforcement.
In preparation for Blue Shark’s change-of-command ceremony, crewmembers set up chairs, tents, tables and podiums. Food service specialists from Blue Shark and its neighboring vessel Coast Guard Cutter Henry Blake, a 175-foot buoy tender based out of Naval Station Everett, prepared a large assortment of food for the reception following the ceremony.
The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored tradition which formally restates to the officers and crew of the command the continuity of the authority vested in the commanding officer. This unique military ritual represents a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one leader to the next.
For more information contact the 13th District Public Affairs Office at 206-220-7237.