PASCAGOULA - According to WLOX TV 13, a change of command was held this morning at the Coast Guard station on Singing River Island.

Pascagoula Coast Guard Cutter Changing Hands

WLOX TV 13/Thursday, June 07, 2012

The cutter Decisive's command was turned over from Cmdr. Mark Walsh to Cmdr. Teri Jordan. The Decisive, a 210-foot-long vessel, has been in service since 1968 and stationed in Pascagoula since 1998, according to reporter Doug Walker.

The vessel has been involved in the seizure of more than 125 tons of cocaine during the ship's travels of the Gulf Coast, the report at wlox.com said.

First Lady Christens Stratton (WMSL 752)

First Lady Michelle Obama breaks a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow of the Coast Guard's newest national security cutter, officially christening the ship Stratton (WMSL 752). More than 3,000 guests attended the ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding facilities in Pascagoula, Miss. Mrs. Obama was supported by (l-r) Mike Petters, president, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Bruce Baffer, prospective commanding officer, Stratton (WMSL 752) and Adm. Robert Papp Jr., commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

(Globe Wire)

PASCAGOULA -- First Lady Michelle Obama christened the Northrop Grumman-built (NYSE:NOC) U.S. National Security Cutter Stratton(WMSL 752) in front of 3,000 guests today calling the ship "truly magnificent." Stratton is the third of eight planned National Security Cutters being built at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Pascagoula for the U.S. Coast Guard. With its 418-foot length and 4,700 ton full load displacement and state-of-the-art command and control systems, the NSC is the largest and most technologically advanced of the new multi-mission cutters. "Here in Pascagoula, you've been building ships for centuries," said Mrs. Obama. "It's in your blood—a proud tradition passed from generation to generation. Your hands have given us some of the greatest ships in the United States Navy and Coast Guard. So whether you're a welder or a fitter or a burner—whatever your craft—today is also a tribute to you and your families, and America thanks you." Stratton is named in honor of Captain Dorothy C. Stratton (1899-2006), the U.S. Coast Guard's first female commissioned officer and director of the SPARS ("Semper Paratus - Always Ready"), the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve during World War II. SPARS mainly replaced men in shore stations during most of the war; however as the war progressed SPARS were placed in charge of greater areas of previously male-only control—including as parachute riggers, aviation machinists' mates and air control tower operators. Several former SPARS attended the ceremony. In his ceremony remarks, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding president Mike Petters recognized all of the shipbuilders who are building Stratton and added, "Captain Stratton was truly a trailblazer – and I know that her passion and energy will be embodied in this great ship named for her, built by the best shipbuilders in the world." U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Bruce Baffer is the ship's prospective commanding officer and will lead a crew of 120 U.S. Coast Guard sailors. "Christening of Stratton is an important step in advancing our Coast Guard mission," said Admiral Robert Papp, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. The Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC) is capable of meeting all maritime security mission needs. Powered by a twin propeller combined diesel and gas turbine power propulsion plant, the NSC is designed to travel at 28 knots maximum speed. The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats, and a flight deck to accommodate a range of manned and unmanned rotary wing aircrafts. It is the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter in the U.S. Coast Guard, with robust capabilities for maritime homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions. This class of cutters plays an important role enhancing the Coast Guard's operational readiness, capacity, and effectiveness at a time when the demand for their services has never been greater. "Cutter Stratton...embodies our drive to constantly innovate and evolve our maritime capabilities and leverage technology to our greatest advantage. It also reflects our desire to create a more modern, agile and forward-leaning Coast Guard capable of handling a new era of national security threats," said Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding is responsible for the construction and testing of the NSC's hull, mechanical, and electrical systems, while Lockheed Martin is building and integrating the command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities onboard the cutters. Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

Coast Guard Rescues Officers, Companions

Ocean Springs Officer Missing After Week in Mississippi Sound 

OCEAN SPRINGS -- Law enforcement, family members and residents across South Mississippi went through a tremendous scare this past week when three police officers and their companions went missing May 17.

That scare continues today for the family of Officer Stephen Bond and the Ocean Springs Police Department. Nearly a week after the co-workers and friends failed to return from a Sunday afternoon boat trip to Horn Island, the whereabouts of Bond still are unknown. 

While Bond's wife, Susan, and mother, Susan Vallette, are holding onto hope that the 32-year-old man may be found on one of the islands stretching across the Mississippi Sound, the U.S. Coast Guard has called off its rescue mission, according to local news reports. 

Hope is fading and the likelihood of Bond being found alive lessens each day. Some officials have even speculated that the Sound's currents already may have taken Bond out to sea, probably toward Louisiana. 

Another storm that rolled through South Mississippi this weekend further hampered continued search efforts by the Jackson County Sheriff's Department and Ocean Springs police. 

Media reports said Bond was one of five people aboard a 21-foot boat when 5-foot waves flipped its passengers into churning waters caused by high winds from an approaching storm. They were on a sailing trip that included time at the annual Horn Island Blowout.

Reportedly, the Coast Guard rescued about nine more people from the Gulf Coast waters.  

The four boaters with Bond included reserve officer Jonathan Navas, 23, and his wife Whitney, patrol officer Michael Green, 31, and his girlfriend Becky Welch, 37. They spent Sunday night floating in the Sound before the Coast Guard rescued them Monday afternoon, May 18, near Horn Island. They were taken to Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, where all were treated and released by Thursday, May 21. 

While at Memorial they recounted their ordeal to media outlets:

(videos are subject to time limit)

Mike Green tells how boat capsized. (sunherald video)

Whitney Navas talks about time in water/rescue. (sunherald video)

Whitney Navas says they are blessed to be alive. (wlox-tv video)

Mike Green says they should have waited. (wlox-tv video)