SEATTLE — Capt. Patrick Hilbert relieved Capt. Linda Sturgis as commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound on Aug. 6.
Sturgis will retire from the Coast Guard after 27 years of service.
Hilbert’s previous assignment was chief of prevention for the 17th Coast Guard District in Alaska.
Rear Adm. Jack Vogt, commander of the 13th Coast Guard District, presided over the ceremony at Coast Guard Base Seattle.
According to a press release, Hilbert is taking command of eight Coast Guard cutters, five small boat stations, one aid to navigation team, Air Station/Sector Field Office – Port Angeles and the largest Vessel Traffic Service in the United States.
Sector Puget Sound’s area of responsibility extends from the Pacific coast of Washington to the eastern border of Montana and includes the 125-mile maritime border with Canada.