LAKE CHARLES, La. — Coast Guard Cmdr. Monica L. Rochester transferred command of Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles to Cmdr. Dan Cost during a change-of-command ceremony Wednesday, at the Lake Charles Civic Center.
Cost assumed command of MSU Lake Charles and will be leading its operations along the unit’s 8,000-square-mile area of responsibility. The MSU supports the nation’s 4th largest supply of goods transferred by ship and is located approximately 25 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico along the Calcasieu River.
"It has been a distinct privilege and honor to serve with a fine crew of professionals. They never ceased to amaze me with their talent and dedication. Our unity of effort with federal, state and local partners as well as maritime industry made it possible to deliver the safety, security, and environmental stewardship to the greater Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes," said Rochester.
Rochester will transfer to Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, where she will serve as the deputy sector commander.
"What an honor and privilege to assume the duties and responsibilities of command at MSU Lake Charles. I'm excited to be back in Louisiana and I'm thrilled to be in an area with a good [operational tempo], a great unit, and a hard working maritime community," said Cost.
Cmdr. Cost earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the Coast Guard Academy. He has two master's degrees from the University of Michigan in naval architecture, marine engineering, and mechanical engineering. Additionally, he is a registered professional engineer in the state of Virginia. Cost previously served at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans, as the chief of domestic vessel inspections.
The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored naval tradition, formally acknowledging the exchange of responsibility, authority and accountability from one person to another.