Date:July 15, 2008 

Contact: Lt. j.g. Jeff Barnum
(216) 937-0160, phone
(216) 701-8391, mobile

USCGC NEAH BAY TRANSFERS COMMAND 

CLEVELAND - Lt. William Woityra will relieve Lt. Eric Peace of command of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Neah Bay in a change-of-command ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, 10 a.m. at the Coast Guard's Cleveland Moorings, 1055 East Ninth Street, across the street from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Under Peace's command, the Neah Bay has been a critical component of the Ninth District's ice-breaking operation throughout the Great Lakes region, facilitating movement of more than 200 vessels through ice-covered lakes and waterways.

Woityra comes to the Neah Bay from the International Ice Patrol in Groton, Conn., where he served as the operations officer.  Woityra also served as the executive officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Thunder Bay, based in Rockland, Maine; and as the marine science officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, based in Seattle.

Woityra is a native of Rochester, N.Y., and was commissioned in 1999 at the Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn.  While there he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and later earned a Masters of Science in Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island.

Capt. David Callahan, Chief of Staff of the Ninth Coast Guard District, is scheduled to preside over the ceremony.

The change of command is a time-honored tradition, deeply rooted in Coast Guard and Naval history. The event signifies a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability for the command. The ceremony is witnessed by all members so that they all know exactly when the transfer of leadership takes place.

Media representatives interested in attending the change of command ceremony are requested to call Lt. j.g. Barnum at (216) 701-8391.

###