Crewmembers from the CHEBOYGAN -- Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw are preparing for a busy summer, including participation in upcoming events such as the 103rd Chicago to Mackinac Yacht Race, and the 2011 Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Mich., where the cutter is scheduled to hold its change-of-command ceremony.
As the current commanding officer, Cmdr. Scott J. Smith, approaches the end of his third year on board, he will pass the mantle of command to Cmdr. Michael J. Davanzo during a formal change-of-command ceremony Aug. 3, 2011, at the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place at Escanaba Memorial Park at 1:30 p.m.
Davanzo will be reporting aboard from the Office of Cutter Forces at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Davanzo is no stranger to the Great Lakes; his previous commands include the Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock, based in Port Huron, Mich., and the Coast Guard Cutters Rambler and James Rankin. Davanzo has had an array of other assignments including tours aboard several other cutters, small boat stations, training centers and Coast Guard Headquarters.
Following the change of command, Smith and his family will head to Washington, D.C., where he will assume duties as the Coast Guard’s program manager for visual aids to navigation.
