POULSBO — Chief Warrant Officer John Rice assumed the duties and responsibilities as commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sea Devil from Lt. William Birch during a ceremony at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park, July 26.

The ceremony was presided over by Cmdr. Thomas P. Sullivan, commanding officer of Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor.

Rice was previously first lieutenant aboard ­­­­­­­­­­­USCGC Boutwell, homeported in San Diego.

Birch will report to Civil Engineering Unit Providence, R.I.

USCGC Sea Devil is an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in Bangor. The crew works with various other Coast Guard and Navy units assigned to Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor. Sea Devil operates in a joint-operation environment to enforce naval vessel protection zones and protect special high-value units in local transit areas.

The change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored tradition which formally restates to the officers and crew of the command the continuity of the authority vested in the commanding officer. This unique military ritual represents a total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one leader to the next.