SEATTLE — Capt. Mark McDonnell assumed command of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound on June 15.
McDonnell relieved Capt. Patrick Hilbert at a ceremony presided over by Rear Adm. Mel Bouboulis, commander of the Seattle-based 13th Coast Guard District.
McDonnell previously served as the chief of response at the 13th District.
Hilbert will retire, ending a 32-year career with the Coast Guard.
Sector Puget Sound’s area of responsibility extends from the Pacific Coast of Washington to the eastern boundary of Montana and includes the 125-mile maritime international boundary with Canada.
The sector includes CG Station Seattle, CG Air Station Port Angeles, CG Station Quillayute River, CG Station Bellingham, CG Station Neah Bay, the Maritime Force Protection Unit at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, the Puget Sound Vessel Traffic Service and ten 87-foot Marine Protector-class cutters.
