ROCKLAND — The July 15 Coast Guard Change of Command held in Rockland at the Elks Club was both festive and ceremonial, with musical marches of John Philip Sousa playing  in the background of this honored tradition. Coast Guard officers and crew, family, friends and local politicians all welcomed Michael Bollinger as the new commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Abbie Burgess and said farewell to retiring commanding officer John Huard.

The Coast Guard Cutter Burgess services 358 floating aids to navigation along the Maine coast from from Boothbay Harbor to the Canadian border. She was named after the assistant keeper at the Matinicus Rock Light, who kept the lights from 1854-1875.

Huard first enlisted in the Coast Guard in March 1986. He has served as the commanding officer of the Burgess since 2012.

During the ceremony, he reflected on some of the more challenging operations during his command including cutting through a foot of ice in Boston, assisting after Hurricane Sandy and helping a transporter vessel ferry two large trucks to North Haven after the vehicles rolled over during tempestuous weather conditions.

He highlighted the Coast Guard’s strong relationship with the city of Rockland and how they have become a part of the community. Every year, the crew volunteers with building the lobster Christmas trap tree, annual lobster festival and Habitat for Humanity.

Huard emphasized that the duties of the crew are not usually in optimal weather conditions. They often work in 30-degree weather conditions, while cold and wet, scrapping ice off buoys and also placing 12,000-pounds of them on deck.

Huard praised the commitment of the crew and how well they do their work.

The new commander, Michael Bollinger, is a native of Louisiana who enlisted in the Coast Guard in 2002 after serving four years in the Marine Corps. His wife, Amber, daughter and five sons were all present at the ceremony.

Bollinger’s most recent post was in 2012 where he advanced to Chief Petty Officer, completed his tour and received orders as the Officer in Charge of Aids to Navigation team in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He received his commission as a Chief Warrant Officer in June 2016.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com