On Friday morning, a change of command ceremony for the U.S. Coast Guard Anthony Petit was held at Coast Guard Base Ketchikan.
Chief Warrant Officer Christopher A. Boss was relieved of his command by Chief Warrant Officer Daniel T. Delaet. Boss assumed command of the Keeper class buoy tender in 2018 and has overseen the maintenance of 278 floating and fixed Aids to Navigation during his service onboard the vessel.
Boss enlisted in the Coast Guard in September of 1992 and attended recruit training in Cape May, New Jersey. He is a decorated Master Cutterman with nearly 24 years of sea time, and has received several distinct honors for his service such as the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal and the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation. Boss also sports the permanent Cutterman and Coxswain insignias.
Executive Petty Officer BMCS Kay Jones presided over the ceremony, and presented Boss with the U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, “culminating 30 years of outstanding service to the nation, demonstrating superior leadership, stewardship and operational excellence.”
Jones also mentioned Boss’ near-perfect 99.8% availability while maintaining Anthony Petit’s 278 aids.
After an official change of command ceremony in which Delaet relieved Boss of his command, Boss was presented with a ceremonial shadow box, which signified his final departure from a life at sea. He also received a certification of retirement, and his wife Donna was presented with a certificate of appreciation.
As Dalaet assumed command of Andy Petite from Boss for what will be his third tour onboard the buoy tender, he gave a speech of his own. During which, he thanked Boss for his service and said, “To say I have big shoes to fill is a huge understatement.”
Delaet thanked Boss for his 30 years of service and thanked his family for “allowing me to follow my goals and passion and get my dream done.”
Delaet enlisted in the Coast Guard in March of 2000, achieving the rank of Petty Officer in 2014 and Chief Warrant Officer in 2017. He has spent extensive time in both Ketchikan and Cordova.
Boss used his speech to thank his wife for continuing to support him throughout his career. Boss told stories of his time in the Coast Guard, and detailed how he went from growing up in California to retiring in Alaska. He finished his speech by expressing his admiration for the Coast Guard, and gave advice to the next generation of sea men.
“As I close up my career, I want to thank you all for joining and indulging me,” Boss said. “As I recount these last 30 years, I can honestly say I love my job. I love my Coast Guard and I'll dearly miss all my Coast Guard shipmates. To our new generations of Coast Guard sailors, I hope during my tenure I was able to inspire some of you to keep our service's proud 232 years of maritime tradition and professionalism alive and well. You are the future of our service, leave it better than you found it. And so until we meet again shipmates, Semper Paratus.”
Boss plans to spend his retirement in Ketchikan and take some time for himself.
*This article was originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News*
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