Coast Guard temporarily relieves Sector North Carolina commander

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - The Coast Guard announced Tuesday that the commander of Sector North Carolina has been temporarily relieved due to loss of confidence in his abilities to command.

Rear Adm. Stephen Metruck, Coast Guard 5th District commander, removed Capt. Sean Murtagh from command of Sector North Carolina.

Metruck has appointed Capt. Joseph Dufresne, deputy commander of Sector North Carolina, to assume temporary command of the sector.

Murtagh has been temporarily reassigned to the 5th District in Portsmouth, VA, until further notice.

According to the Coast Guard, the change will not impact the sector's search and rescue response, maritime security and other missions.

"What's important for the public to know is that while command of the sector has changed, the Coast Guard's ability to respond within Sector North Carolina's area of responsibility has not," Rear Adm. Metruck said. "We're always ready to respond."

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