MARCH 17, 2017--On March 10, Rear Adm. Mark Butt, command, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) District 13, presided over a change of command ceremony for Sector Puget Sound at Base Seattle. Capt. Linda Sturgis relieved Capt. Joe Raymond and now has command of the Sector.

During Capt. Raymond’s three-year command, he oversaw the potential USCG response to spillage of 3.9 million gallons of oil into Puget Sound and participated in several exercises and drills mitigating potential discharges and preparing to respond as Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC).

Capt. Sturgis now takes command of the Sector (which shares a 125-mile maritime border with Canada), Air Station Port Angeles, eight Coast Guard Cutters, five small boat stations, and Aids to Navigation Team, Puget Sound. Her past assignments include Deck Watch Officer on Coast Guard Cutter MELLON, homeported in Seattle, WA, and Chief Port State Control/foreign vessel inspections at Marine Safety Officer Puget Sound. She also earned a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Washington while stationed in Seattle.

OR&R works closely with USCG sectors in drill planning and emergency response to releases of oil and chemicals into the marine environment. OR&R was represented by Mark Dix, Gary Shigenaka, and Jesse Stark.

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and deeply rooted in Coast Guard and Naval history. The event signifies a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability for the command. The ceremony is attended by all members of the unit so they all witness the transfer of leadership.

For further information, contact Jesse.Stark@noaa.gov.

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