Cmdr. Erin E. Williams shakes hands with Cmdr. Alan H. Moore Jr. while Capt. Marko Broz looks on during a change-of-command ceremony in Duluth, Minn., July 22, 2016. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
DULUTH, Minn. — The crew of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Duluth held a change-of-command ceremony Friday at the Depot – Great Hall in Duluth.
During the ceremony, Cmdr. Erin E. Williams relieved Cmdr. Alan H. Moore Jr. as the commanding officer and assumed the positions of captain of the port and officer in charge, marine inspections.
Capt. Marko R. Broz, the commander of Sector Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, presided over the ceremony.
Moore served as commanding officer since June 2013. He has been reassigned to serve in the Office of Vessel Activities at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington. On hand for the ceremony was Moore’s father, retired Capt. Alan Moore, Sr., who had previously served as the commanding officer of MSU Duluth from 1996 through 1999.
Williams arrived from Coast Guard Activities Europe, in Schinnen, Netherlands. Acting as the executive officer, she assisted the commanding officer with ensuring compliance of U.S. and foreign vessels with relevant regulations and international conventions throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
The change of command ceremony is a time-honored event preserved by the rich heritage of naval tradition. It is a custom that is formal and follows military protocol and is designed to strengthen the respect for the continuity of command that is vital to military organization. The culmination of the ceremony is reached when both officers read their orders, face one another, salute and transfer responsibility for the command. This provides the entire command with the knowledge that the officer, directed by proper authority, is taking command and provides an opportunity to witness this transfer of responsibility.
