The commanding officer of a U.S. Coast Guard cutter based in South Portland has been relieved of his duties, the Coast Guard announced Monday.Chief Warrant Officer J. L. Horne was permanently relieved of his duties on the Coast Guard cutter Marcus Hanna on Wednesday, Coast Guard officials wrote in a news release.The district commander relieved Horne of his duties "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command," the Coast Guard wrote in a release. A Coast Guard spokeswoman would not elaborate on what led to Horne's removal. He has been assigned duties at the Coast Guard in South Portland, she said.Horne had served as commanding officer of the Marcus Hanna since the summer of 2017, the spokeswoman said. He has served in the Coast Guard for almost 20 years, she said."A commanding officer is charged with the ultimate responsibility of the safety of the crew and the safe navigation of the cutter," according to the release. The Marcus Hanna "is a 175-foot buoy tender... with a crew complement of 24," according to the release.

The commanding officer of a U.S. Coast Guard cutter based in South Portland has been relieved of his duties, the Coast Guard announced Monday.

Chief Warrant Officer J. L. Horne was permanently relieved of his duties on the Coast Guard cutter Marcus Hanna on Wednesday, Coast Guard officials wrote in a news release.


The district commander relieved Horne of his duties "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command," the Coast Guard wrote in a release.

A Coast Guard spokeswoman would not elaborate on what led to Horne's removal. He has been assigned duties at the Coast Guard in South Portland, she said.

Horne had served as commanding officer of the Marcus Hanna since the summer of 2017, the spokeswoman said. He has served in the Coast Guard for almost 20 years, she said.

"A commanding officer is charged with the ultimate responsibility of the safety of the crew and the safe navigation of the cutter," according to the release.

The Marcus Hanna "is a 175-foot buoy tender... with a crew complement of 24," according to the release.