Boston-based Coast Guard cutter holds time-honored change of command ceremony

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/10/2017 03:54 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

July 10, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast
Contact: 1st District Public Affairs
Office: (617) 223-8515
After Hours: (617) 717-9609

Boston-based Coast Guard cutter holds time-honored change of command ceremony

 Ensign Jamie Brady sings the national anthem during a presentation of colors to begin the Coast Guard Cutter Spencer’s change of command ceremony in Boston, Monday, July 10, 2017. During the ceremony, Cmdr. John McTamney took command of the 270-foot cutter from Cmdr. Peter Niles. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cynthia Oldham.  Cmdr. Peter Niles, the commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Spencer, and Cmdr. John McTamney conduct a pass-in-review during the Spencer’s time-honored change of command ceremony in Boston, Monday, July 10, 2017. During the ceremony, command of the 270-foot cutter transferred from from Niles to McTamney. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cynthia Oldham.
 Vice Adm. Karl L. Schultz, commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, presents Cmdr. Peter Niles, the commanding officer of the Boston-based Coast Guard Cutter Spencer, the Meritorious Service Medal during the Spencer’s change of command ceremony in Boston, Monday, July 10, 2017. During the ceremony, command of the Spencer was transferred from Niles to Cmdr. John McTamney. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cynthia Oldham.  Vice Adm. Karl L. Schultz, commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, presides over the Boston-based Coast Guard Cutter Spencer’s transfer of command during a time-honored ceremony held in Boston, Monday, July 10, 2017. During the ceremony, command of the Spencer was transferred from Cmdr. Peter Niles to Cmdr. John McTamney. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cynthia Oldham.

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BOSTON — Coast Guard Cmdr. John McTamney relieved Cmdr. Peter Niles as the commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Spencer Monday during a change of command ceremony at Coast Guard Base Boston.

 

Vice Adm. Karl L. Schultz, commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area, presided over the ceremony.

 

Niles will report for duty to Force Readiness Command as the chief of the afloat readiness and training branch.

 

McTamney was previously assigned to the Office of Defense Operations, in Washington, D.C.

 

"I am extremely impressed with where Commander Niles has taken this ship, and I will do everything in my power to keep his legacy moving forward," said McTamney, new commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Spencer. "I pledge to have the crew's best interest at heart for the next two years, and to ensure Spencer continues its fine tradition of mission excellence."

 

The change of command ceremony is a formal ritual conducted before the assembled company of the command. It conveys to officers and enlisted personnel of the cutter that although the authority of command is relinquished by one person and assumed by another, it is still maintained without interruption.

 

The Coast Guard Cutter Spencer is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter, with a crew complement of approximately 100 (88 enlisted and 14 officers).

 

-USCG-