Photo Release: Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet crew holds change of command ceremony in Hatteras, NC

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/29/2018 02:13 PM EDT

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Photo Release  

June 29, 2018
U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
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Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet crew holds change of command ceremony in Hatteras, NC

Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer Christopher Wright, officer in charge of Station Hatteras Inlet in Hatteras, North Carolina, salutes Senior Chief Petty Officer James Pond, his successor, during the station’s change-of-command ceremony, June 29, 2018. Capt. Bion Stewart, commander, Sector North Carolina, presided over the ceremony. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Habel/Released)

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HATTERAS, N.C. — Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer James Pond relieved Master Chief Petty Officer Christopher Wright as officer in charge of Station Hatteras Inlet during a change of command ceremony in Hatteras Friday morning.

Capt. Bion Stewart, commander of Sector North Carolina, presided over the ceremony.

Wright is retiring after a 25-year career encompassing tours at several surf stations including Station Morro Bay, California, Station Depoe Bay, Oregon, Station Barnegat Light, New Jersey, and Station Noyo River in Fort Bragg, California. His final tour marked his second time serving as Station Hatteras Inlet’s officer in charge.

Pond most recently served as the officer in charge of Station Indian River Inlet in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. In addition to serving at multiple surf stations for 13 of his 22 years in the Coast Guard, he has served aboard Cutter Boutwell in Alameda, California, and at Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor in Silverdale, Washington.

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and formal ritual that marks the transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from one individual to another.

Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer Christopher Wright, officer in charge of Station Hatteras Inlet in Hatteras, North Carolina, delivers departing remarks during the station’s change-of-command ceremony, June 29, 2018. Senior Chief Petty Officer James Pond relieved Wright, who is retiring after 25 years of Coast Guard service. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Habel/Released)
Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Jamison Smith, crew member at Station Hatteras Inlet in Hatteras, North Carolina, salutes on behalf of the crew during the station’s change-of-command ceremony, June 29, 2018. Senior Chief Petty Officer James Pond relieved Master Chief Petty Officer Christopher Wright as the station’s officer in charge. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Habel/Released)

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