ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg’s crew held a change of command ceremony, Friday, at Port Tampa Bay.
Capt. Courtney A. Sergent relieved Capt. Michael P. Kahle as commanding officer of Sector St. Petersburg.
Rear Adm. Douglas Schofield, commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District, presided over the ceremony.
“As I conclude my tenure as Commander of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, I extend my deepest gratitude to the exceptional federal, state and local partners who work tirelessly with our Coast Guard to safeguard our citizens, protect our environment and ensure the safety and security of our nations marine transportation system,” Kahle said. “It has been an extraordinary honor to serve our communities alongside the dedicated women and men of the United States Coast Guard. For over a century, Florida-based Coast Guard crews have ensured the safety, security and prosperity of the western Florida region. I am certain that proud legacy will continue under Captain Courtney Sergent’s strong leadership.”
Kahle is retiring from service after 25 years.
“I am honored and grateful for the amazing opportunity to serve the communities of St. Petersburg and western Florida as Sector Commander and Captain of the Port,” Sergent said. "I hope to continue the exceptional work Captain Kahle and the crew of Sector St. Petersburg have done, and I look forward to working with our outstanding partners as we preserve the safety and security of our ports and waterways.”
Sergent previously served as Coast Guard Sector North Carolina’s deputy commander.
The change of command ceremony marks the transfer of total responsibility and authority from one individual to another. It is a time-honored tradition conducted before the assembled crew, as well as honored guests and dignitaries, to formally demonstrate the continuity of authority within a command.
Sector St. Petersburg is one of the Coast Guard's largest commands, with an area of responsibility encompassing over 400 nautical miles of coastline along Florida's west coast and the third largest U.S. port for domestic trade. In terms of total trade volume, including both domestic and foreign, the Port of Tampa ranks 12th nationally.
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