PORT ANGELES — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Active received her 20th commander in almost 30 years of service at a change of command ceremony Friday at Group Port Angeles.
Cmdr. Robert J. Klapproth Jr., 40, officially took command of the 210-foot vessel and its crew of 73 from Cmdr. Douglas J. Smith
Smith, 44, has been at the helm of the Active for two years. He has been assigned to the District 13 headquarters in Seattle and will assume the duties of chief of the information division.
Smith said that two years before he couldn’t say, “I’ve served aboard this fine ship with this stellar crew behind me.”
He also noted that his new assignment in Seattle will not require that he move from his home in Silverdale.
He had one piece of advice for the boat’s new skipper, “Enjoy every moment.”
Moving from San Diego
Klapproth, formerly the executive officer aboard the Coast Guard cutter Chase in San Diego, complimented Smith for the boat and the crew he inherited.
“You’re passing on a fine ship with a well-trained crew,” Klapproth said.
The largest of the cutters stationed in Port Angeles, the Active is under the command of the Coast Guard Pacific Area based in Alameda, Calif.
