Objective: To ensure that Coast Guard does not interfere with private enterprise (e.g., commercial salvage) in non-distress situations.
Conditions:
If a commercial provider is available and can arrive on-scene within a reasonable time.
If a good Samaritan or responder (private/state/local organizations) offers assistance.
Actions: No further action is required by the Coast Guard beyond monitoring the incident.
General Salvage Policy (Other than Towing)
Directive for Coast Guard Units: Engage in salvage operations only if limited actions can prevent a worsening situation (e.g., ungrounding, pumping).
Decision-Making: Any salvage operations shall be at the discretion of the unit CO/OIC (Commanding Officer/Officer in Charge).
Firefighting Activities Policy
Independent Firefighting: Coast Guard personnel shall not engage in independent firefighting unless:
To save a life.
In the early stages of a fire to avert a significant threat.
Commercial Vessels/Waterfront Facilities: Coast Guard personnel must not actively engage in firefighting except when supporting a regular firefighting agency under a qualified fire officer's supervision.
Emergency Protocols
When to Wake the CDO (Command Duty Officer):
MEDEVACS (medical evacuations).
Intent to grant ACTSUS (Acting Incident Command).
Request for District's assumption of SMC (Search and Maritime Coordination).
Unscheduled US Coast Guard support to US Secret Service/US Capitol Police.
Loss of SAR Capability: Protocols when unscheduled R21 outage exists; Standard Lancha considerations; Discovery of contraband regarding living marine resources or other law enforcement aspects.
Defining Reasonable Search Area:
Search completion within 2 hours on-scene search time by surface vessels, or 1 hour by aircraft indicates reasonableness.
Time limits: 1 hour by air, 2 hours by sea, or less than 50% probability of success (POS).
Loss of SAR Response Reporting
Protocol: A loss of SAR response requires a C20IX message to be sent by the unit, triggering D8 to release a page out.
SAFETYNET vs. UMIB Messages
When to Use SAFETYNET: Inmarsat Enhanced Group Call (EGC) message is used for incidents outside VHF-FM range (greater than 35NM offshore).
Reference: Addendum Section 2.3 (page 2-19).
Transition of SMC to D8
Preconditions for D8 to Take SMC on a Case:
Discussion and passdown between D8 SMC and originating Sector SMC.
Ensure the D8 watch receives full passdown.
All check sheets must be filled out and attached to MISLE.
Transfer of the MISLE case to D8 (HLDR).
Verification of SAROPS drift(s).
Inland Sector SAR Response Posture
Primary SAR Assets: Other Government Agencies (OGAs, e.g., Fire Department, Police Department, Fish & Wildlife) when no Coast Guard assets are available (No B-0).
Incident Reporting for Commercial Fishing Vessel Sinking
Immediate Actions for Each Watch:
Ensure Sector issues a UMIB/SMIB (Urgent Marine Information Broadcast/Safety Marine Information Broadcast).
Ensure Sector secures both aircraft and surface asset(s) launch.
Determine if the fishing vessel is abandoning or attempting to save the vessel.
Marine Safety Integration
Procedures: Ensure the Situation Unit (SU) desk is informed to prosecute the Marine Safety side and assist as necessary.
Agency Assist Requests
Briefing Requirement: Air Station Houston must brief DRM (CAPT Glass) Rockhold for agency assist requests.
Denying Air Asset: Procedures are the same in case of a denial.
Overdue Vessels Crossing Sector Boundaries
SMC Assumption: The Sector into which the overdue vessel crosses assumes SMC.
DAD SAFE Contact
Incident Reporting: Use the hotline 1-800-DAD-SAFE for CIC calls regarding last sightings.
Jurisdictional Protocols in Various Waters
In the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): NOAA (GCES and OLE) has jurisdiction.
In Texas Waters (9NM from shore): Additional agencies include Texas Parks & Wildlife, along with NOAA partners listed earlier (GCES, OLE).
75/25 Rule for Fishing Vessels
Crew Composition: 75% of crew must be U.S. Citizens while the remaining 25% may possess work visas.
Undocumented Aliens: Should be separated and not counted toward crew number and processed by CBP (Customs and Border Protection) for violations.
Wavers and Permits: If exceeding limits of the 25%, a valid waiver is required.
Hot Pursuit Definition
Legal Definition: A continuous and uninterrupted pursuit of a vessel suspected of wrongdoing.
North American Maritime Security Initiative (NAMSI)
Purpose: Facilitates cooperation between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada regarding maritime operational threats and suspicious vessels.
Documentation: Five forms are required and must be sent to designated offices, ensuring to CC emails to D8CC, LEDO, LEGAL, Sector Command Center, and SEMAR (Secretaría de Marina) for South American vessels.
Follow-Up: Follow up the email with a phone call to SEMAR to confirm receipt.