The U.S. Coast Guard has removed the commander of the cutter USCGC Winslow Griesser following a collision with fishing vessel last August off Puerto Rico.
Coast Guard Rear Adm. Brendan McPherson removed Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin Williamsz from his command of the ship, citing loss of confidence in his ability to command the 154-foot Sentinel-class cutter, the service said in a news release. The removal took effect in mid-February.
Winslow Griesser and the 23-foot commercial fishing vessel Desakata collided on Aug. 8, 2022, roughly four miles off Dorado, Puerto Rico. Two people were on the fishing vessel at the time. Carlos Rosario died following the collision, while his brother Samuel Rosario Beltran was hurt.
Crew from the cutter recovered the two men following the collision, which sank Desakata, and brought them to shore. Rosario Beltran was taken to a hospital for treatement.
The Coast Guard reassigned Williamsz to shore duty immediately after the collision. Lt. Cmdr. Catherine Gillen is commanding the cutter until a permanent commanding officer is assigned, according to the Coast Guard.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, and the Coast Guard said it is fully cooperating with the effort.
The fast response cutter Winslow Griesser was delivered in 2015 from Bollinger Shipyards. It is homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where it performs search a rescue, drug and immigration interdiction, and fisheries enforcement.