Change Of Watch

Alert 11, Spring 2026

Flotilla 11 gathered in the Station Bellingham training room on January 17 for our annual Change of Watch, marking the transition from the 2025 to 2026 year. After dessert and a social hour, outgoing Flotilla Commander Pam Chelgren-Koterba reflected on a strong 2025 — recognizing the year's staff officers, presenting member certificates and awards, and naming this year's Bill Daniels awardee. Leslie Parks was installed as Flotilla Commander for 2026, with Pam Chelgren-Koterba stepping into the Vice Flotilla Commander role, followed by the burgee lowering and raising and the installation of the 2026 staff officer slate.

Keynote remarks came from Lt. Terrell Sisk representing our active-duty partners at Station Bellingham, USCGC Sea Lion, and USCGC Terrapin, alongside Northwest District Commodore Klaas Nijhuis. The afternoon was a fitting close to 2025 and a strong start to the year ahead — and a reminder of how much the flotilla's work depends on the partnerships and friendships we share with our active-duty Coast Guard neighbors.

• Awards & Recognition
• Fellowship & Events
• Leadership

Also in this issue

• Flotilla 13-01-01: 2025 Year in Review

  A data-driven look at Flotilla 11's 2025 activity hours, training completions and awards, drawn from AUXDATA II reporting.

• Member Training

  New qualifications for Bret (Vessel Examiner) and Monica (Program Visitor), plus a list of the 13 training activities members have completed so far this year.

• Navigation Systems

  Flotilla Aid Verifiers have been notified that 2026 PATON and bridge assignments are available, and one member completed AV training.

• A History of Coast Guard Helicopter Aviation

  A tour of every helicopter type the Coast Guard has flown, from the Sikorsky HNS-1 of 1943 to the planned all-MH-60T Jayhawk fleet, with a profile of Air Station Port Angeles.

• Recreational Boating Safety: 2024 in Review

  The Coast Guard's 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics Report recorded the fewest boating deaths on record, but paddle craft made up 26% of fatalities.

• Station Bellingham Honored for Lummi Island Rescue

  A Station Bellingham boat crew received the 2025 Coast Guard Foundation Award for rescuing a family of five whose kayaks capsized near Lummi Island in June 2024.

• New Beacons, New Radios

  What current PLBs and handheld VHF radios can do that older gear cannot, why MMSI and beacon registration matter to rescuers, and what Vessel Examiners and Program Visitors should ask boaters.

• Return to Full Mission Operations and Standard Uniform Wear

  Following the end of the government shutdown, COMO Klaas Nijhuis announced that Coast Guard District Northwest is returning to full mission operations and normal uniform wear.

• Parting Shot

  A Coast Guard response boat crew on patrol in the San Juan Islands.