(a) The Coast Guard is authorized to operate and maintain floating ocean stations for the purpose of providing search and rescue, communication, and air navigation facilities, and meteorological services in such ocean areas as are regularly traversed by aircraft of the United States.

(b) The Coast Guard is authorized, subject to approval by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, to operate, on floating ocean stations authorized herein, such air navigation facilities as the Administrator may find necessary or desirable for the safe and efficient protection and control of air traffic. The Coast Guard, in establishing, maintaining, or operating such air navigation facilities shall request the cooperation of the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to the end that the personnel and facilities of the Federal Aviation Administration will be utilized to the fullest possible advantage.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 502; Pub. L. 85–726, title XIV, §1404, Aug. 23, 1958, 72 Stat. 808; Pub. L. 94–546, §1(8), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2519.)

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§50k, 50*l* (June 22, 1948, ch. 600, 62 Stat. 574).

Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

**1976**—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–546 substituted “Federal Aviation Administration” for “Federal Aviation Agency” wherever appearing.

**1958**—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 85–726 substituted “Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency” for “Administrator of Civil Aeronautics” in two places, and “Federal Aviation Agency” for “Civil Aeronautics Administration”.

Section 1505(2) of Pub. L. 85–726, title XV, Aug. 23, 1958, 72 Stat. 810, provided that the amendment made by Pub. L. 85–726 shall be effective on the 60th day following the date on which the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency [now Federal Aviation Administration] first appointed under Pub. L. 85–726 qualifies and takes office. The Administrator was appointed, qualified, and took office on Oct. 31, 1958.