Posted on: Thursday, June 27, 2002

Coast Guard office changes command

Associated Press

The commanding officer of the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Office who oversaw the relocation and recovery of the Ehime Maru and the rescue operation of a dog from a disabled Indonesian tanker stepped aside in a change of command ceremony Tuesday.

Capt. Gilbert Kanazawa, the office's commanding officer since 1999, retired after 26 years of service, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Kanazawa also oversaw the Coast Guard's maritime homeland security in Hawai'i.

He was succeeded by Capt. Timothy Skuby, a 23-year Coast Guard veteran, who has served as the chief of the Budget and Resources Division of the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection.

Also Tuesday, the Coast Guard conducted a change of command ceremony for the cutter Rush.

Capt. Paul F. Zukunft, who is transferring to the 14th Coast Guard District in Honolulu to be the chief of operations, was succeeded by Capt. Patrick H. Stadt. Stadt has served aboard the cutters Midgett, Sherman and Gallatin.

The Rush is a 378-foot high endurance cutter based out of Honolulu.