USCG Cutter Commanding Officer Relieved Following Onboard Mishap

The commanding officer of USCGC James (WMSL 754), has been temporarily relieved of duties following an onboard mishap, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Friday.

Vice Adm. Kevin Lunday, commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, effected the relief due to a loss of confidence in Capt. Marc Brandt’s ability to command the cutter in wake of the mishap, in which no personnel were injured. Brandt has been temporarily assigned to Coast Guard Atlantic Area.

Lunday appointed Capt. John Driscoll to assume temporary command of the cutter pending the results of an investigation into the incident.

James is a Legend-class national security cutter (NSC) homeported in Charleston, S.C., with a crew of 148 officers and enlisted personnel. NSCs are the Coast Guard’s most technologically-advanced cutters in the fleet.