b'MEMBER NEWSU.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center Change of CommandO n June 11, 2024, Captain andauthorityfromoneindividualto The MSC supports the people andDan Cost relived Captain another.Itisatime-honoredmilitary objectivesoftheMarineSafety,Secu-RobertCompherasthecom- traditionconductedbeforetheassem- rity, and Environmental Protectionmanding Officer of the U.S. Coast bledcrew,aswellashonoredguests programsthroughtheverificationofGuardMarineSafetyCenter(MSC) and dignitaries, to formally demon- compliancewithtechnicalstandardsinWashington,D.C. stratethecontinuityoftheauthority forthedesign,construction,alterationwithinacommand. andrepairofcommercialvessels.TheThe MSCs primary mission is the MSCisanindependentheadquartersreviewandapprovalofplansforthe As commanding officer, Captain commandthatwasestablishedin1986design, construction, alteration, and CostservesastheCoastGuardslead by consolidating the Coast GuardrepairofU.S.andforeignflagcom- technical authority for commercial Merchant Marine Technical officesmercial vessels subject to the U.S. vessel regulation and promotes ma- located in New York, New Orleans,laws, regulations and international rine safety and environmental pro- Cleveland,andSanFrancisco.standards. The MSC has a current tection through engineering reviewcomplement of 32 officers, 31 civil- andapprovalofnearly20,000plans UponhisreliefastheCommandingians,andfivecontractemployees. annuallyforthedesign,construction Officer of MSC, Captain Com-and alteration of U.S. and foreign pherreportedinasthechiefoftheThe change-of-command ceremony vessels,equipment,andoffshoreen- Traveling Inspection Staff at Coast marksatransferoftotalresponsibility ergyfacilities. GuardHeadquarters.PHOTO: U.S. COAST GUARD39 JULY 2024'