The officer in charge of a Maine-based Coast Guard cutter was permanently relieved of his duties Tuesday, according to a Coast Guard release, reaching a final decision on discipline for the OIC three months after the cutter ran aground.

Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate Christopher Bouchard was permanently relieved from command of the cutter Moray following an investigation into the ship's grounding in February, a First Coast Guard District spokeswoman confirmed.

The 87-foot coastal patrol boat, based in Maine, ran aground when it hit shallow water February 20 during a transit off Petit Manan Bar in Maine, Public Affairs Specialist 2nd Class Linola Stone told Navy Times.

Bouchard had been in command of Moray for almost two years, she added.

First Coast Guard District commander Rear Adm. Linda Fagan and Sector Northern New England commander Capt. Brian Gilda temporarily relieved Bouchard on March 7 for loss of confidence.

The decision then went to Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft, who authorized the head of Coast Guard Personnel Command to permanently relieve Bouchard.

"A new officer-in-charge selection is pending while Moray is undergoing repairs at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland," the release said. "Repairs are expected to be complete mid-June and a new officer in charge will be assigned."

No further disciplinary action is expected, the release said. Bouchard is temporarily assigned to the Northern New England field office in Southwestern Harbor, Maine.

Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.

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