Peter Raiswell of Sequim recently was named Auxiliary Commodore. Submitted photo


Peter Raiswell, a Sequim resident, has been named Auxiliary commodore for the 13th Coast Guard District.

He assumed the new duties on Jan. 1.

This is the first time a flag rank (a one-star officer) has been selected from the Olympic Peninsula.

Raiswell will direct all 1,900 Auxiliarists in Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho. His appointment is for a two-year term.

Raiswell has been in the Auxiliary for about 10 years. He lived in England, Bermuda and California before moving to the Olympic Peninsula in 2000. He is married to the Rev. Margaret Bourne-Raiswell and has two children. A coxswain and avid boater, he and his wife are accomplished sailors who choose sailing as their primary way to relax and get away from their busy schedules.

A member of Flotilla 42 of the Sequim/Port Angeles area, he has served as flotilla and division commander, district captain north and chief of staff before assuming his present office.

Raiswell said he is building his term in office around a new strategic plan that will incorporate his emphasis on “credibility, accountability and responsibility.”

Nationally there are about 32,000 Auxiliarists.