PORT ANGELES — As wind whipped across the deck of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Active on Friday afternoon, the ship’s 75 crew members bid goodbye to one skipper and welcomed a new one for the next two years.
During the formal, time-honored Change of Command ceremony, incoming Commanding Officer Cmdr. Douglas J. Smith brought his hand to his hat in salute and addressed the outgoing commanding officer, Cmdr. John F. Prince: “I relieve you, sir.”
Smith, 42, reports for duty on the cutter Monday morning while Prince, 39, who took command of the ship two years ago, becomes commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area in Alameda, Calif.
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