SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine - The U.S. Coast Guard says the commanding officer of a cutter that's homeported in Maine has been relieved of his duties.The Coast Guard says Rear Admiral Andrew Tiongson, the First Coast Guard District Commander, removed Chief Warrant Officer J.L. Horne on Aug. 7. It says in a statement the decision was made "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command."
A spokeswoman for the Coast Guard says no more information's available about the decision. Horne has been temporarily assigned to Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. The spokeswoman says it wasn't clear Monday if Horne would be available for comment.
The ship is the Coast Guard Cutter Marcus Hanna, which is a 175-foot buoy tender. The cutter has a crew of two dozen.