Coast Guard Holds Change of Command in Oregon

The Coast Guard Cutter Alert will hold will hold a change of command ceremony, at the 17th Street Pier, Astoria, Ore., today at 10 a.m. Commander Matthew D. Bliven will relieve Commander Kelly L. Hatfield. CDR Bliven will command operations of the 210-ft. medium endurance cutter which include, but are not limited to, homeland security, search-and-rescue, fishery patrols and maritime law enforcement. CDR Bliven’s most recent assignment was as Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Naval Engineering Support Unit, Alameda, Ca. CDR Hatfield will continue his Coast Guard career as Commander, 11th Coast Guard District, Office of Law Enforcement, located in Alameda. During CDR Hatfield’s command, CGC Alert’s efforts resulted in five major fisheries cases, and hundreds of fisheries/safety violations during 126 boardings. CGC ALERT also participated in 16 Search-and-Rescue cases, including 3 cases within 2 weeks that resulted in 5 lives saved. CGC ALERT conducted nearly 100 High Interest Vessel and 415 Sea Marshal boardings, while protecting major shipping ports on the West Coast. The Change of Command ceremony is a time-honored tradition, which formally restates to the ship’s company the continuity of the authority of command. It is a formal ritual conducted before the assembled company to ensure all hands know of the shift in authority. It is a transfer of total responsibility, authority, and accountability from one individual to another.