Coast Guard Sector New York welcomes new commander

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/08/2018 10:29 PM EDT

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U.S. Coast Guard 1st District PA Detachment New York
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Coast Guard Sector New York welcomes new commander

Rear Adm. Andrew Tiongson, commander First Coast Guard District, recognizes Capt. Michael Day with a 'Legion of Merit' award for his service as the Sector New York commander during a change-of-command ceremony on Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, New York on June 8, 2018. The ceremony is a formal, time-honored tradition of the maritime service. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve Strohmaier) Capt. Michael Day (left) salutes Capt. Jason Tama (right) during a change-of-command ceremony held at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, New York on June 8, 2018. During the ceremony, Capt. Jason Tama assumed responsibilities as commander of Sector New York, the largest Coast Guard operational field command on the East Coast. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve Strohmaier) Capt. Michael Day (left) and Capt. Jason Tama (right) prepare to cut the cake during their change-of-command ceremony on Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, New York on June 8, 2018. Capt. Jason Tama relieved Capt. Day as the Sector New York commander. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve Strohmaier)
NEW YORK – Capt. Michael H. Day, outgoing commander Sector New York and Capt. Jason P. Tama, incoming commander Sector New York, inspect members of the unit during a change of command ceremony, in Staten Island, N.Y., June 8, 2018. Tama relieved Day of his duties and responsibilities of the sector as well as Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Hunter Medley) NEW YORK – Capt. Jason P. Tama, commander Coast Guard Sector New York, is pinned a command ashore device by his wife, Sarah Tama during the Coast Guard Sector New York change of command ceremony in Staten Island, N.Y., June 8, 2018. The change of command is a time-honored ceremony that signifies the absolute transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from one person to another. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Hunter Medley) NEW YORK – Capt. Michael H. Day outgoing commander Sector New York and his wife Kristina Day, stand surrounded by the New York City Fire Department bagpipe band during the Coast Guard Sector New York change of command ceremony in Staten Island, N.Y., June 8, 2018. The change of command is a time-honored ceremony that signifies the absolute transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from one person to another. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Hunter Medley)

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NEW YORK – U.S. Coast Guard First District commander, Rear Adm. Andrew Tiongson presided over a change-of-command ceremony for Coast Guard Sector New York, Friday at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island.

During the ceremony, Capt. Jason Tama assumed responsibilities as commander of Sector New York, the largest Coast Guard operational field command on the East Coast.

Capt. Tama relieved Capt. Michael Day, who had been the Sector New York commander since 2015. Following the change of command, Capt. Day will report to Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C.

“Consistent with our new commandant's direction, we will always be ready, relevant, and responsive,” said Capt. Tama, commander Sector New York. “We are ready at all times to protect this port and this great city; relevant in that demand for Coast Guard services has never been higher and responsive. We will own the mission, we will lean forward, and we will act.”

Tama will now be responsible for an area spanning from northern New Jersey, northwards up the Hudson River to just south of Lake Champlain and to locations bridging the New York and Connecticut borders.

“I will always think fondly of my time spent here as commander of Sector New York and as Captain of the Port,” said Capt. Day. “I will always hold dear the friendships and professional relationships I have developed here. I cannot thank you enough.”

Sector New York personnel are committed to ensuring the safety and security of one of the nation's busiest port complexes. Vessels calling on these ports and waterways transport over $479 billion in cargo to support our nation's economy. The region is also home to the nation's largest and fastest growing passenger ferry system, carrying tens of millions of passengers annually, and is one of the nation's busiest ports for cruise ship arrivals. 

The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored military tradition that marks a transfer of responsibility and authority from one individual to another. The ceremony is conducted before the assembled crew, as well as honored guests and dignitaries, in order to formally demonstrate the continuity of authority within a command.

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