The Coast Guard just announced that the commander of a 154-foot cutter that collided with a small fishing boat off San Juan, Puerto Rico, last summer, killing one of the two brothers on board, has been relieved of his command.
Rear Adm. Brendan C. McPherson, commandant of the Seventh Coast Guard District, relieved Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin Williamsz of his duties, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to effectively command the cutter. He had been reassigned to shore duty in San Juan immediately after the collision last August 8.
The Winslow Griesser (pictured) is a Sentinel Class fast response cutter based in San Juan. It was on a routine patrol when it collided with a 23-foot fishing boat named Desakata off the coast of Dorado. The cutter’s crew recovered the two men on board. One, Carlos Rosario, was fatally injured. The other, his brother Samuel Rosario Beltrán, was injured but survived.
The National Safety Transportation Board is investigating the accident.
Lt. Cmdr. Catherine Gillen is now in command of the cutter until a permanent commanding officer is assigned. Read more:
