Ridge looked on as his former aide, Maine native Capt. James McDonald, relieved outgoing commander Capt. Brian Salerno, who oversaw the tightening of port security here in the anxious weeks after Sept. 11, 2001.

"We've always operated under the notion that, when you have a country as large and diverse and open as the United States, it's really not a question of if there's another terrorist attack but when," Ridge said after the ceremony.

Ridge called McDonald "unflappable" and said he was "hand-picked" for the strategically important Boston post.

Salerno was awarded the prestigious Legion of Merit award for his period of service here.

The ceremony included the merger of the Marine Safety Office Boston and Group Boston into the Coast Guard Sector Boston.

"It will make it a much more effective organization," Ridge said.

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