PORT ANGELES, Wash. – Lt. j.g. Ben Romano assumed the duties and responsibilities as commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Wahoo from Master Chief Petty Officer Dale Steinmetz, the cutter’s previous officer in charge, during a ceremony at Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles, July 12, 2013.
The ceremony was presided over by Capt. Scott Ferguson, commander of Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound.
Romano was previously assigned as patrol boat relief executive officer for Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia in Manama, Bahrain.
Steinmetz will report to the 1st Coast Guard District in Boston as the 1st District command master chief.
CGC Wahoo is an 87-foot Patrol boat homeported here. The crew’s missions include missions include homeland security, search and rescue, marine environmental response, recreational boating safety, port safety and security, and law enforcement including: alien migrant interdiction, pollution prevention, marine sanctuary protection, drug interdiction, and fisheries enforcement.
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.