As the summer recreational boating season begins, the local branches of the U.S. Coast Guard are gearing up in a big way, with a new officer in charge of the Woods Hole station and a new 47-foot motor lifeboat at the Menemsha station.

Chief boatswain’s mate Justin M. Longval was installed as chief of Woods Hole on Tuesday. The Woods Hole station oversees the waters that include Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven.

And the Coast Guard’s Menemsha Station, which oversees the waters west and south of the Island, is up and running with two 47-foot motor lifeboats instead of one.

At the change of command ceremonies, Chief Longval was surrounded by officers of the station and other dignitaries, which included the state environmental police, local Coast Guard Auxiliary, family and friends. He replaces senior chief Brian P. Guarino.

Soon after the ceremony, Chief Longval told the Gazette that he and his station crew plan to have a greater presence on the waterfront and in the local harbors. For the next six to eight months, he said, “We plan on public outreach, getting to know all the stakeholders.”

Still, he emphasized that the primary mission remains safety. “What drives a lot of our missions is boating safety, making sure the recreational boater has all the tools they need,” Chief Longval said.

For Chief Longval, this is a return to familiar ground. He comes from serving as second-in-command at a station in Wisconsin, but served in Woods Hole from 2002 to 2006.

The Woods Hole station’s jurisdiction includes a number of ferries, fishing boats, charter boats and other working boats, in addition to the seasonal arrival of the recreational boater.

The Woods Hole station has two 41-foot utility boats, good for fast response in enclosed waters. They also have two 25-foot Defender-class boats.

Menemsha has the two 47-foot motor lifeboats, including the new one, and one 25-foot Defender-class boat. The 47-footers are suitable for deep sea rescues. The station’s jurisdiction extends 50 miles south of the Vineyard. It includes the waters of Vineyard Sound, Buzzards Bay, New Bedford and Fairhaven harbors, west to Westport.

The Menemsha station crews oversee one of the biggest fishing ports on the East Coast, New Bedford. They also cover a large area between the islands and the mainland; and offshore waters that run from Muskeget Channel all the way west to the Rhode Island border.

Chief Jason Olsen, who oversees Menemsha station, and who also attended the Woods Hole change of command ceremony, told the Gazette he sees the station crew having greater presence on the water with the addition of the 47-footer, which also provides greater opportunities for improved training, especially in heavy weather. There will also be additional on-the-water safety boardings and that will include law enforcement. Also, having two 47-footers increases the opportunity for expanded search and rescue.

The station is manned by 25 people, including seven new people in the last three months.

The Menemsha station has conducted 13 search and rescue cases since last Oct. 1.

Chiefs Olsen and Longval said their stations will continue to cultivate relationships with other organizations that have similar roles, such as harbor masters and fire departments. “This is about strengthening our partnerships,” Chief Longval said.

At Tuesday’s change of command ceremony, outgoing senior chief Guarino got high praise from his superior, Captain Verne Gifford, sector commander for Southeastern New England. The captain praised Guarino for handling a wide range of cases in his three years of being in charge of the station, which included providing service and security to three presidential visits to the Vineyard. He also mentioned the actions of the station crew in handling the serious fishing boat accident off Lambert’s Cove beach last July 27, where a fisherman was pulled underwater for two minutes, brought back on deck and given CPR. Through the quick actions of many, including state environmental police and others, the man made a full recovery, the captain said.

Chief Guarino thanked his crew for their efforts. In particular, he praised them for their response in July 2010 when they preserved the safety of a fishing boat that recovered a military shell in its net that contained mustard gas. He said: “Celebrate and be proud of your victories.”

He turned and looked at his replacement, Chief Longval, and added: “Trust this crew and you’ll be fine.”