Edisto welcomes new commanding officer

SAN DIEGO – The Coast Guard Cutter Edisto welcomed a new commanding officer in a change of command ceremony June 27, 2011 aboard the Naval Submarine Base, Point Loma, Calif.

During the ceremony, which was presided by Capt. Thomas Farris, the commanding officer of Sector San Diego, Lt. Philip Baxa assumed command responsibilities from Lt. Ari Fitzwater as commanding officer.

Fitzwater will be reporting to the University of California, Hastings, in San Francisco where he will attend law school.

During his tenure, Edisto crew saved 56 lives, rescued 78 Mexican migrants, prevented 5,200 pounds of marijuana from entering the United States and was the initial on-scene commander for cruise ship Carnival Splendor as it was towed into port after suffering a debilitating engine fire 150 miles south of San Diego.

Baxa reported to Edisto from Manama, Bahrain where he was assigned as the commanding officer of the110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Aquidneck.

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition, which formally restates that the continuity of command will be maintained. It is a formal ritual, conducted before the assembled company of the command. It conveys to the officers, enlisted personnel, civilian employees, and auxiliary members of the Coast Guard that although the authority of command is relinquished by one person and is assumed by another, it is still maintained without interruption.

Coast Guard Cutter Edisto is the 13th Island Class Patrol cutter, and is homeported at Naval Submarine Base Point Loma. It was commissioned in 1986 and the current crew joins a proud history of distinguished service to the United States. For more information please contact Lt. Kenji Awamura at kenji.r.awamura@uscg.mil.

SAN DIEGO -- The Coast Guard Cutter Edisto displays full dress colors during the change of command ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego June 27, 2011. Command of the Edisto was transferred from Lt. Ari Fitzwater to Lt. Philip Baxa. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

SAN DIEGO Ð Lt. Philip Baxa, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Edisto, speaks during the EdistoÕs change of command ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego June 27, 2011. Command of the Edisto, a 110-foot patrol boat whose missions include maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, migrant interdiction and coastal defense, was transferred from Lt. Ari Fitzwater to Baxa. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

SAN DIEGO -- Lt. Philip Baxa and Lt. Ari Fitzwater salute each other during the Coast Guard Cutter Edisto's change of command ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego June 27, 2011. Command of the Edisto, a 110-foot patrol boat whose missions include maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, migrant interdiction and coastal defense, was transferred from Fitzwater to Baxa. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

SAN DIEGO -- Lt. Ari Fitzwater, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Edisto, speaks during the Edisto's change of command ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego July 27, 2011. Command of the Edisto, a 110-foot patrol boat whose missions include maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, migrant interdiction and coastal defense, was transferred from Fitzwater to Lt. Philip Baxa. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

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