SEATTLE — Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound held a change of command ceremony on Friday, July 10, at Coast Guard Base Seattle.
Rear Adm. Arex Avanni, commander Coast Guard Northwest District, presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Michael Hunt relieved Capt. Mark McDonnell as the commander of Sector Puget Sound..
“It is an absolute privilege to step into this role and lead the crew at Sector Puget Sound,” said Hunt. “I look forward to working closely with our maritime, local, and Tribal partners to ensure the safety, security, and environmental protection of the Pacific Northwest.”
Sector Puget Sound’s area of responsibility encompasses the northern coast of Washington State, Straight of Juan De Fuca, Puget Sound, as well as northern Idaho and the entire state of Montana, including a 125-mile maritime boundary with Canada.
Sector Puget Sound directly oversees the operations of five Coast Guard small boat stations, six patrol boats, an aids to navigation team, and the largest vessel traffic service in the United States. These operations ensure the safety and security of multiple port complexes, the third largest cruise ship gateway in the United States, as well as the nation's largest domestic ferry system, which safely transports 24 million passengers and 11 million vehicles annually.
The event also marked the conclusion of McDonnell’s distinguished 26 year military career. Following the change of command, a retirement ceremony was held to honor his faithful service to the nation.
“Leading the men and women of Sector Puget Sound has been the defining honor of my time in the Coast Guard,” said McDonnell. "This was the perfect final tour to close out my career. I will deeply miss this crew and the incredible network of Federal, State, local, Tribal, and industry partners who work tirelessly to protect the mariners and pristine waters of this region.”
The change of command ceremony is a time-honored military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding officer to another. The passing of colors, standards, or ensigns from an outgoing commander to an incoming one ensures that the unit and its members are never without official leadership, formally demonstrating the continuity of authority and a continuation of trust.
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