Multimedia Release

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine –U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England’s crew will receive a new commander during a change of command ceremony at 11:00 a.m., June 24, 2011 at the Portland Head Light in Fort Williams Park.

Rear Adm. Daniel Neptun, commander of the 1st Coast Guard District, will preside over the ceremony.

Sector Northern New England's current commander, Capt. James McPherson of Bradley Beach, N.J., will be assigned as chief of staff for the First Coast Guard District in Boston.

Capt. Christopher Roberge will assume command of Sector Northern New England. Roberge previously served as chief of prevention for Coast Guard Atlantic Area in Portsmouth, Va.

Sector Northern New England is the regional operational command overseeing all Coast Guard activities across Maine, New Hampshire, and the whole of Lake Champlain, an area that includes more than 5,000 total miles of coastline.  The sector includes 19 field units and more than 1,100 personnel.  The sector annually prosecutes more than 700 search and rescue cases, completes 2,000 recreational and commercial vessel safety and law enforcement boardings, conducts 750 U.S. and foreign vessel inspections, monitors more than 1,300 deep draft and cruise ship arrivals, and maintains 1,000 aids to navigation.  Sector units also oversee and conduct annual ice breaking operations along critical northeast waterways to facilitate commerce and to prevent dangerous and costly river flooding.

The change of command is a time-honored tradition that ensures the continuity of command.  It is a formal ceremony conducted before the entire crew.  The ceremony marks the transfer of total responsibility, authority, and accountability for the unit and the accomplishment of its assigned mission.  It is conducted according to a formally prescribed ritual, to honor and maintain traditions of the service.

Media representatives are invited to attend the change of command ceremony.  Please RSVP with Lt. Nick Barrow at (207) 767-0318 by Thursday June 23, 2011.

Technical Media Details:   A pre-fader audio feed will be provided for all media via passive XLR audio distribution press box.  Microphones will not be allowed to be mounted on podiums or speakers.

Media will be required to be set up no later than 10:30 a.m. on June 24th.  

Throw (from audio feed to camera platform): 100 ft.

Cable run (from media truck, if necessary): 400 ft.

Live truck parking available only in the vicinity of Portland Head Light Parking. Live truck operators must bring cable ramps.

Media Vehicles: Parking will be located approximately 500 yards from location of ceremony.  Drop off location within 100 yards is available.

For more information about this release contact 1^st Coast Guard District Public Affairs at (617) 223-8515.