KEY WEST, Fla. — Coast Guard Sector Key West conducted a change of command ceremony Thursday at 9:30 a.m. for the Coast Guard Cutter Knight Island, homeported in Key West.
Chief Warrant Officer John Huard relieved Chief Warrant Officer William Weaver during a time-honored, traditional change of command ceremony.
In his opening remarks, Capt. Pat DeQuattro, Commander, Coast Guard Sector Key West, said of Weaver, “It has been my pleasure to observe Chief Warrant Officer Weaver’s engagement in often complicated international and always highly visible maritime law enforcement and search and rescue cases. In every instance, the cutter Knight Island under Chief Warrant Officer Weaver’s command has excelled.”
Receiving the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Weaver was honored for his service and the performance of his duty as Knight Island’s commanding officer.
Weaver, a native of La Grange, Ga., enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1994 and has spent nearly a decade of his career underway. He received his commission in 2006.
Under Weaver’s exceptional seamanship and leadership, the Knight Island conducted many law enforcement and search and rescue cases, including interdicting, caring for, and processing more than 150 migrants attempting to illegally enter the U.S.
Huard is reporting from the Coast Guard Cutter Aspen, a 225-foot seagoing buoy tender, homeported in San Francisco, Ca. Huard served as the First Lieutenant in charge of the deck department. The cutter Aspen is responsible for servicing over 180 aids to navigation in the Pacific Northwest.
Huard, a native of Lowell, Mass., enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1986 and has been assigned to five land units and four cutters. He earned his commission in 2005.
