BOSTON — The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Seneca held a change of command ceremony Friday at Coast Guard Base Boston.
During the ceremony, Cmdr. Alan McCabe assumed the duties and responsibilities of commanding officer of Seneca from Cmdr. Jason Brennell.
As commanding officer for two years, Brennell safely and effectively led Seneca's crew through six patrols spanning from the Gulf of Maine to the Eastern Pacific. A recent Seneca patrol resulted in the apprehension of 30 suspected narcotic traffickers and the seizure of seven tons of cocaine, valued at $242 million. Brennell will continue his Coast Guard career in Washington D.C. as the Maritime Security Anti-Terrorism Division Chief.
McCabe reports to Seneca after completing a tour as the Coast Guard Liaison Officer to the Commanders of both Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and U.S. 6th Fleet. McCabe was previously responsible for coordinating Coast Guard forces in the European and African theaters in support of the Combatant Commanders and the Naval Component Commander, while also providing subject matter expertise to the command for maritime security, search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement operations.
"Through Seneca's hard work, determination, and positive attitude, we will continue to build on Seneca's record of excellence," said McCabe. "This will require all members of Seneca's leadership team to remain committed to empowerment of junior personnel and on-scene initiative; the hallmarks of Coast Guard doctrine of mission success at sea."
The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition which formally restates to the officers and crew of the command the continuity of authority vested in the Commanding Officer. The change of command is a unique ritual representing a total transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from one individual to the next.
Coast Guard Cutter Seneca is a 270-foot Famous Class Cutter with a crew of approximately 100 Coast Guard members. Seneca was commissioned in 1987 and is nearing its 30th year of service. Seneca and the other medium endurance cutters are slated for replacement by the new Offshore Patrol Cutter.