BARBOURSVILLE, W. Va. - Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Huntington is scheduled to welcome its new commanding officer on Wednesday, July 19, during a change-of-command ceremony at the Coast Guard unit located in Barboursville at 10 a.m..

Capt. Timothy M. Close, Chief of Western Rivers Division at Coast Guard Eighth District, will preside over the ceremony in which Cmdr. Kevin C. Kiefer will assume command of the Marine Safety Unit from Cmdr. James M. Michalowski.

Michalowski has served as commanding officer of the unit since July 2003. The missions of MSU Huntington include port security, marine inspections, environmental response, marine casualty investigations, and waterways management.

Michalowski is departing the unit to become the director of Coast Guard Auxiliary, eastern region, in Louisville, Ky.

Kiefer is reporting from Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi where he served as chief of the prevention department.

Media representatives interested in attending the ceremony should arrive at the unit, at 95 Peyton Street, Barboursville by 9:30 a.m.

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