Coast Guard relieves commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Spar

CLEVELAND, OHIO, UNITED STATES

11.01.2024

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Omar Faba 

U.S. Coast Guard District 9

Nov.1, 2024
PAC David Micallef
216-778-9763/[e-mail]

Coast Guard relieves commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Spar

CLEVELAND — The U.S. Coast Guard temporarily relieved Lt. Cmdr. Joel Wright, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Spar (WLB 206), Thursday.

Rear Adm. Jon Hickey, commander of the Coast Guard’s Ninth District, relieved Wright due to a loss of confidence in his ability to execute the responsibilities of a commanding officer.

“The responsibility of a commanding officer is absolute, and they are accountable for the operations, safety, administration, stewardship, efficiency and well-being of the cutter and crew,” said Hickey. “There was a loss in confidence of the command’s ability to ensure accountability and a failure to act consistently with our Core Values.”

Lt. Cmdr. Kent Hunt has temporarily assumed command of Spar.

Spar remains fully operational and there is no degradation to mission success or cutter capabilities.

An investigation is ongoing.

Spar is a 225’ multi-mission buoy tender homeported in Duluth, Minnesota. Its primary missions include aids to navigation, ice breaking, law enforcement and search and rescue. Spar also performs marine environmental protection and port security and safety missions. It is primarily responsible for Lake Superior and upper Lake Michigan but operates throughout the Great Lakes.

Media inquiries should be directed to PAC David Micallef, District 9 APAO, at 216-778-9763 or [e-mail].

-USCG-

• Date Taken: 11.01.2024
• Date Posted: 11.01.2024 11:39
• Story ID: 484443
• Location: CLEVELAND, OHIO, US