A linehandler aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Storis prepares to moor at Coast Guard Base Seattle, July 11, 2025. (Courtesy/ Petty Officer 3rd Class Annika Hirschler, U.S. Coast Guard)

A Ketchikan-based U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutter has a temporary commanding officer after an “investigation leading to a loss of confidence” prompted the Coast Guard to “temporarily” relieve the cutter’s regular commanding officer.

The Coast Guard announced on Monday that Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard Arctic District that includes Ketchikan, “temporarily relieved Lt. Edwin Kuster following an investigation leading to a loss of confidence. This temporary relief is not due to misconduct.

“Lt. Bryce Matakas has temporarily assumed the position of commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Denman,” the announcement continued.

The Douglas Denman is one of three Sentinel-class fast response cutters currently based in Ketchikan, which is also home to the buoytender Anthony Petit.

The Douglas Denman is continuing in service, according to Lt. Pam Manns, a public affairs officer with the Coast Guard Arctic District.

“This cutter remains fully operational, and there will be no degradation in our mission success or capabilities,” Mann wrote in an email reply to a Ketchikan Daily News inquiry. “We have full confidence in the crew of the Douglas Denman to continue to execute the mission safely and effectively.

“Until the new commanding officer permanently assumes command, we have assigned a temporary commanding officer who is experienced and ready to lead the cutter through the upcoming operational schedule,” wrote Mann.

Mann wrote that the commander of the Coast Guard Personnel Service Center has the final decision authority for a “permanent relief for cause.”

The circumstance of a temporary relief of command is “initiated by the operational commander with information and circumstances that raise concerns about a service member’s ability to effectively serve in their current position,” write Mann. “Commanding officers are expected to demonstrate the highest levels of leadership, judgment, professionalism, proficiency, and dedication to the Coast Guard’s core values.”

This story was originally published by the Ketchikan Daily News.