PORTSMOUTH, Va. – The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence held a change of command ceremony Thursday aboard the cutter in Wilmington, N.C.
During the ceremony, Cmdr. Jeffrey K. Randall relieved Cmdr. Douglas D. Goodwin, who served as the commanding officer of the Diligence during the past two years.
The Diligence served as the front-line cutter for seven multi-mission patrols in support of the Coast Guard's 5th and 7th Districts. During one patrol, Diligence located, boarded and searched two suspect vessels, resulting in the seizure of nearly one-and-a-half tons of cocaine, worth more than $40 million.
While on patrol in the Bahamas in late 2012, the Diligence was diverted to help the crew of a disabled and adrift fishing vessel. The Diligence crew towed the stricken vessel 650 nautical miles to safety in Cape Canaveral, Fla. More recently, the Diligence used its embarked helicopter to transport an ill mariner ashore to receive life-saving medical treatment in French St. Martin.
During Goodwin’s tenure, the Diligence crew earned the Coast Guard’s Operational Readiness Award for operational excellence and readiness in damage control, engineering, gunnery, operations and seamanship.
When not out to sea, the Diligence maintains ties with the Coast Guard City of Wilmington.
From its North Water Street moorings, the Diligence hosts an annual 5k road race through downtown Wilmington, as well as an annual golf tournament, raising more than $3,500 for local charities each year. The Diligence is open daily for public tours, giving nearly 10,000 tours annually.
Upon departing, Goodwin will report to Quantico, Va., where he will attend the Marine Corps War College.
Randall reported from assignment as the Coast Guard liaison officer to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington.