The US Coast Guard on Tuesday temporarily relieved the officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Ashtabula in Ashtabula, Ohio due to what it termed as “loss of confidence”.
Chief Petty Officer Bryan Pate was temporarily removed from command by Rear Adm. Joanna Nunan, commander, Ninth Coast Guard District in Cleveland.
Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Jones, executive petty officer of Station Ashtabula, is assuming temporary command of the station.
The US Coast Guard noted the change would not impact Station Ashtabula’s search and rescue response, maritime security or other vital mission operations.
The Coast Guard did not say whether the change of command was related to this week’s suspended search and rescue operation in which a 25-foot response boat and a helicopter launched from station Ashtabula failed to locate two people reportedly seen struggling in Lake Erie.