USCG Commander Relieved of Duty

Posted by Michelle Howard January 12, 2016

The U.S. Coast Guard temporarily relieved the commander of Sector North Carolina in Wilmington Monday, due to loss of confidence in his abilities to command.

Capt. Sean Murtagh was temporarily removed from command of Sector North Carolina by Rear Adm. Stephen Metruck, Coast Guard 5th District commander, in Portsmouth, Va.

Metruck appointed Capt. Joseph Dufresne, deputy commander of Sector North Carolina, to assume temporary command of the sector. Murtagh was temporarily reassigned to the 5th District in Portsmouth, until further notice.

The change will not impact Sector North Carolina’s search and rescue response, maritime security or other vital mission operations.

“What’s important for the public to know is that while command of the sector has changed, the Coast Guard’s ability to respond within Sector North Carolina’s area of responsibility has not,” said Rear Adm. Stephen Metruck, 5th District commander. “We’re always ready to respond.”