Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay Under New Command

Capt. Capt. Roberto Rivera (right) relieves Capt. Kate Higgins-Bloom (left) as commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay while Rear Adm. Zeita Merchant (center), commander, Coast Guard East District, presides over a change of command ceremony at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia / Image courtesy Coast Guard Auxiliarist Leon C. DeFulgentis

The Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay is under new command. On Thursday, Captain Roberto Rivera was welcomed as the new sector commander during a change of commend ceremony in Philadelphia. Captain Kate Higgins-Bloom has served as commander of Sector Delaware Bay since 2023 – she now will report to Coast Guard Headquarters to serve as the Force Design Implementation Team Leader.

Sector Delaware Bay is responsible for all Coast Guard missions across much of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and all of Delaware, extending 200 miles offshore.

Additional information from the USCG:

Rivera assumed command after serving as the deputy commander of Sector Delaware Bay. Prior to that assignment, he served as the chief of the Industry Preparedness and Incident Coordination Division at Coast Guard Headquarters, where he oversaw national-level preparedness and incident coordination initiatives. 

Sector Delaware Bay includes more than 815 active-duty, reserve, and civilian personnel, approximately 2,100 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers, and 11 Coast Guard field units. The sector is responsible for all Coast Guard missions across much of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and all of Delaware, extending 200 miles offshore. 

The sector safeguards a marine transportation system that contributes more than $141 billion annually to the regional economy while executing missions including search and rescue, marine safety, maritime security, environmental protection, and law enforcement. Working alongside federal, state, local, tribal, and industry partners, Sector Delaware Bay remains committed to ensuring the safety, security, and resilience of one of the nation’s busiest maritime regions.