New Chief Takes Command At Coast Guard Station Brant Point

Coast Guard officials from around the region and island leaders gathered Monday morning for a change of command ceremony at Station Brant Point, as outgoing master chief Lance Wiser passed the torch to incoming master chief John Lowell.

Wiser, who has been at the helm of Station Brant Point for the past two years, gave a tearful goodbye to his crew and his island partners, including Nantucket Harbormaster Sheila Lucey. Wiser is headed to a new assignment in Jacksonville, Florida.

"Here I am today with an amazing crew, a bunch of new friends, some great memories, and the ability to say we summered on Nantucket," said Wiser, who has served in the Coast Guard for more than 23 years. "We also wintered on Nantucket, right through the month of June...I will miss the people the most. We will be back to visit, and visiting Nantucket sounds pretty good."

For Lowell, who is originally from Dennis, Mass, the assignment to lead Station Brant Point is something of a homecoming. He will be moving to the island with his wife and two young daughters from his previous assignment in San Diego, California. Lowell’s family, including his father, who still lives on Cape Cod, was also in attendance at Monday’s ceremony and was celebrating the proximity of Nantucket to his hometown.

"I'm proud to serve with you, and I look forward to all that we'll accomplish together," Lowell said at the ceremony.

After Wiser and Lowell conducted a formal inspection of the crew, the command of Station Brant Point was formally transferred from Wiser to Lowell with the exchange of pins.

Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England Commander, Captain Youngmee Moon, presided over the ceremony.

All photos below by Charity Grace Mofsen