In connection with its maritime police, promoting safety of life and property at sea, and aiding navigation functions, the Coast Guard frequently finds it advisable to utilize the services of other agencies and correlatively, frequently finds its facilities useful to other agencies. This high degree of cooperation, a natural attribute of a producing and servicing agency, is important not only because it greatly promotes the quantity and quality of the services performed, but because the concentration of these functions in one agency results in savings to the Government of man-power, funds, and equipment. In the belief that legislative recognition of and specific power to continue this needed cooperation are desirable, Chapter 7 of this title contains a group of sections on cooperation with designated agencies. This is not meant to be a complete listing of cooperating agencies, but rather the designation of the principal ones. In addition, the first section of the chapter deals with availability of Coast Guard personnel and facilities to other agencies and the availability of other agency personnel and facilities to the Coast Guard. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

**2010**—Pub. L. 111–281, title II, §201(b), title IX, §903(b)(1), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2909, 3011, inserted period at end of item 149 and added item 153.

**2006**—Pub. L. 109–241, title II, §202(b), July 11, 2006, 120 Stat. 520, substituted “Assistance to foreign governments and maritime authorities” for “Detail of members to assist foreign governments.” in item 149.

**2004**—Pub. L. 108–293, title II, §202(b), Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1032, added item 152.

**1996**—Pub. L. 104–324, title IV, §405(b), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3924, substituted “Cooperation with other agencies, States, territories, and political subdivisions” for “General” in item 141.

**1984**—Pub. L. 98–557, §15(a)(4)(A)(ii), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2865, substituted “members” for “officers and men” in item 149.

**1982**—Pub. L. 97–295, §2(6)(B), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1301, added item 147a.

**1976**—Pub. L. 94–546, §1(12), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2519, substituted “United States Postal Service” for “Post Office Department” in item 146.

(a) The Coast Guard may, when so requested by proper authority, utilize its personnel and facilities (including members of the Auxiliary and facilities governed under chapter 23) to assist any Federal agency, State, Territory, possession, or political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia, to perform any activity for which such personnel and facilities are especially qualified. The Commandant may prescribe conditions, including reimbursement, under which personnel and facilities may be provided under this subsection.

(b) The Coast Guard, with the consent of the head of the agency concerned, may avail itself of such officers and employees, advice, information, and facilities of any Federal agency, State, Territory, possession, or political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia as may be helpful in the performance of its duties. In connection with the utilization of personal services of employees of state or local governments, the Coast Guard may make payments for necessary traveling and per diem expenses as prescribed for Federal employees by the standardized Government travel regulations.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 505; Pub. L. 104–324, title IV, §405(a), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3924.)

This section is based in part on title 33, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §756 (Mar. 3, 1915, ch. 81, §6, 38 Stat. 928), and authorizes the Coast Guard to use its personnel and facilities to assist other Government agencies when requested and, correlatively, authorizes the Coast Guard to utilize the personnel and facilities of other agencies. It is believed desirable to have this authority spelled out by statute because in times of emergency, for example floods, it sometimes becomes most advantageous to cooperate in this manner. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

**1996**—Pub. L. 104–324, §405(a)(1), amended section catchline generally, substituting “Cooperation with other agencies, States, territories, and political subdivisions” for “General”.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–324, §405(a)(2), (3), inserted “(including members of the Auxiliary and facilities governed under chapter 23)” after “personnel and facilities” and “The Commandant may prescribe conditions, including reimbursement, under which personnel and facilities may be provided under this subsection.” at end.

Pub. L. 95–61, §8, July 1, 1977, 91 Stat. 260, which authorized Coast Guard to assist Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in providing medical emergency helicopter services to civilians, if assistance was provided in areas of regular Coast Guard unit assignment, did not interfere with Coast Guard mission, or increase required Coast Guard operating funds, and further providing that no individual (or his estate) operating within scope of his duties under this section's program would be civilly liable for damage caused incident thereto, was repealed and reenacted as section 147a of this title by Pub. L. 97–295, §§2(6)(A), 6(b), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1301, 1314.

The Coast Guard, through the Secretary, may exchange information, through the Secretary of State, with foreign governments and suggest to the Secretary of State international collaboration and conferences on all matters dealing with the safety of life and property at sea, other than radio communication.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 505.)

Because of the numerous situations in which it is necessary for the Coast Guard to deal with foreign governments, particularly in the field of safety of life and property at sea, the Coast Guard and the State Department agree that a provision such as this is desirable.

The international character of many Coast Guard functions makes it more and more necessary for the Service to be an initiating or participating agency in international collaboration. Examples of international meetings concerned with matters affecting the Coast Guard include those which dealt with the International Rules of the Road, international load lines, the International Code of Signals, safety at sea, and international telecommunications. It is highly desirable that there be a clear-cut legislative expression of Coast Guard cooperation with the State Department on proposed international conferences dealing with various phases of Coast Guard activities, such as aids to navigation, life-saving equipment, navigation and communication equipment other than radio communication, regulation of dangerous cargoes, international rules of the road, safety requirements and equipment of transoceanic aircraft and vessels, and safe manning standards and efficiency of personnel employed on transoceanic aircraft and vessels. Provisions for similar relationship between the Civil Aeronautical Board and the State Department appear in the act of June 23, 1938, as amended, 52 Stat. 984 (title 49, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§425(c), 602). 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

Commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the Coast Guard are deemed to be officers of the customs and when so acting shall, insofar as performance of the duties relating to customs laws are concerned, be subject to regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury governing officers of the customs.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 506.)

Based on title 19, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§1401(*l*), 1709(b) (Aug. 5, 1935, ch. 435, title II, §201, 49 Stat. 521; Aug. 5, 1935, ch. 438, title IV, §401, 49 Stat. 529).

This section will not repeal the sections cited above, but makes further provision that Coast Guard personnel when acting as officers of the customs shall, insofar as enforcing customs laws are concerned, be subject to regulations governing regular officers of the customs. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

(a) The Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force at the request of the Secretary may, with or without reimbursement for the cost thereof, as agreed, receive members of the Coast Guard for instruction in any school, including any aviation school, maintained by the Army or the Air Force, and such members shall be subject to the regulations governing such schools.

(b) Officers and enlisted men of the Coast Guard shall be permitted to purchase quartermaster supplies from the Army at the same price as is charged the officers and enlisted men of the Army.

(c) Articles of ordnance property may be sold by the Secretary of the Army to officers of the Coast Guard for their use in the public service in the same manner as these articles are sold to officers of the Army.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 506; Pub. L. 94–546, §1(10), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2519; Pub. L. 98–557, §15(a)(3)(D), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2865.)

Subsection (a) is based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §28 (Aug. 29, 1916, ch. 417, 39 Stat. 601). Section has been enlarged to include the Air Force as well as the Army, and to include all schools maintained by the Army or Air Force, rather than aviation schools only. Reimbursement is made optional depending upon agreement of the Secretaries.

Subsection (b) is based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §31 (Mar. 6, 1920, ch. 94, §1, 41 Stat. 506).

Subsection (c) is based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §31a (Mar. 3, 1909, ch. 252, 35 Stat. 751; Apr. 15, 1937, ch. 101, 50 Stat. 65).

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

**1984**—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–557 substituted reference to members for reference to officers and enlisted men in two places.

**1976**—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–546, §1(10)(a), substituted “at the request of the Secretary” for “at the request of the Secretary of the Treasury”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–546, §1(10)(b), substituted “Secretary of the Army” for “Chief of Ordnance”.

(a) The Secretary of the Navy, at the request of the Secretary may, with or without reimbursement for the cost thereof, as agreed:

(1) build any vessel for the Coast Guard at such Navy yards as the Secretary of the Navy may designate;

(2) receive members of the Coast Guard for instruction in any school, including any aviation school maintained by the Navy, and such members shall be subject to the regulations governing such schools;

(3) permit personnel of the Coast Guard and their dependents to occupy any public quarters maintained by the Navy and available for the purpose; and

(4) detail personnel from the Chaplain Corps to provide services, pursuant to section 1789 of title 10, to the Coast Guard.

(b) Officers and enlisted men of the Coast Guard shall be permitted to purchase quartermaster supplies from the Navy and the Marine Corps at the same price as is charged the officers and enlisted men of the Navy and Marine Corps.

(c) When the Coast Guard is operating in the Department of Homeland Security, the Secretary shall provide for such peacetime training and planning of reserve strength and facilities as is necessary to insure an organized, manned, and equipped Coast Guard when it is required for wartime operation in the Navy. To this end, the Secretary of the Navy for the Navy, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, for the Coast Guard, may from time to time exchange such information, make available to each other such personnel, vessels, facilities, and equipment, and agree to undertake such assignments and functions for each other as they may agree are necessary and advisable.

(d)(1) As part of the services provided by the Secretary of the Navy pursuant to subsection (a)(4), the Secretary may provide support services to chaplain-led programs to assist members of the Coast Guard on active duty and their dependents, and members of the reserve component in an active status and their dependents, in building and maintaining a strong family structure.

(2) In this subsection, the term “support services” include transportation, food, lodging, child care, supplies, fees, and training materials for members of the Coast Guard on active duty and their dependents, and members of the reserve component in an active status and their dependents, while participating in programs referred to in paragraph (1), including participation at retreats and conferences.

(3) In this subsection, the term “dependents” has the same meaning as defined in section 1072(2) of title 10.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 506; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §3, 64 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 94–546, §1(11), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2519; Pub. L. 98–557, §15(a)(3)(D), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2865; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, §1704(a), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314; Pub. L. 111–281, title II, §223, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2921.)

Subsection (a) is based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§28, 42, 57 (Aug. 29, 1916, ch. 417, 39 Stat. 601; July 3, 1926, ch. 742, §11, 44 Stat. 817.) Subsection is enlarged to make reimbursement for the building of ships or the training of personnel dependent on agreement of the Secretaries, and to include all schools operated by the Navy, rather than aviation schools only.

Subsection (b) is based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §31 (Mar. 6, 1920, ch. 94, §1, 41 Stat. 506).

Subsection (c) is new. This subsection enacts what has been the practice of the Navy and Coast Guard in keeping the Coast Guard trained to “come on board with some muscle” in time of emergency.

Section 3 of this title deals with the relationship of the Coast Guard to the Navy Department. This section deals with cooperation with the Navy. Whereas the status of the Coast Guard in time of war was treated in chapter 1 of this title, this section has application in time of peace when the Coast Guard is not under the Navy Department.

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

**2010**—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 111–281, §223(1), added par. (4).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–281, §223(2), added subsec. (d).

**2002**—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation” in two places.

**1984**—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 98–557 substituted reference to members for reference to officers and enlisted men in two places.

**1976**—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–546, §1(11)(a), substituted “at the request of the Secretary” for “at the request of the Secretary of the Treasury”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 94–546, §1(11)(b), substituted in first sentence “Department of Transportation” for “Treasury Department” and in second sentence “Secretary of Transportation” for “Secretary of the Treasury”.

**1950**—Subsec. (a)(3). Act Aug. 3, 1950, added par. (3).

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Coast Guard facilities and personnel may be utilized for the transportation and delivery of mail matter during emergency conditions or at isolated locations under such arrangements as may be satisfactory to the Secretary and the United States Postal Service.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 506; Pub. L. 94–546, §1(12), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2519; Pub. L. 99–640, §10(a)(5), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3549.)

This section provides generally for what has been the practice between the Coast Guard and the Post Office Department in Alaska for years. The authorization is limited to emergency conditions or isolated locations. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

**1986**—Pub. L. 99–640 substituted “United States Postal Service” for “Postmaster General”.

**1976**—Pub. L. 94–546 substituted “United States Postal Service” for “Post Office Department” in section catchline.

In order to promote the safety of life and property on and over the high seas and waters over which the United States has jurisdiction, and to facilitate the preparation and dissemination by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the weather reports, forecasts, and warnings essential to the safe and efficient conduct of domestic and international commerce on and over such seas and waters, the Commandant may cooperate with the Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by procuring, maintaining, and making available, facilities and assistance for observing, investigating, and communicating weather phenomena and for disseminating weather data, forecasts and warnings, the mutually satisfactory terms of such cooperation in weather service to be agreed upon and arranged between the Commandant and the Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 507; Pub. L. 94–546, §1(13), Oct. 18, 1976, 90 Stat. 2520; Pub. L. 97–295, §2(5), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1301.)

This section outlines the sphere of cooperation between the Weather Bureau and the Coast Guard. It would not permit any cooperation that has not been carried on in the past.

Although the Coast Guard has always cooperated closely with the Weather Bureau, positive recognition of this has never appeared in the statutes. In its patrol, its aiding navigation, and its life saving activities, the Coast Guard finds it important to make, receive and transmit weather observations and measurements. Furthermore, with the advent of war, weather reporting, particularly mid-Atlantic weather patrol work, assumed increasing importance, and this extensive weather station manning in cooperation with the Weather Bureau must be provided for in the postwar period. This section providing for such close cooperation with the Weather Bureau in weather reporting would crystallize the cooperative practices of the two agencies as they have operated for years. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

**1982**—Pub. L. 97–295 substituted “Administration” for “Admministration” after “Atmospheric”.

**1976**—Pub. L. 94–546 substituted references to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and to the Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for references to the Weather Bureau and to the Chief of the Weather Bureau.

(a) The Commandant may assist the Secretary of Health and Human Services in providing medical emergency helicopter transportation services to civilians. The Commandant may prescribe conditions, including reimbursement, under which resources may be provided under this section. The following specific limitations apply to assistance provided under this section:

(1) Assistance may be provided only in areas where Coast Guard units able to provide the assistance are regularly assigned. Coast Guard units may not be transferred from one area to another to provide the assistance.

(2) Assistance may be provided only to the extent it does not interfere with the performance of the Coast Guard mission.

(3) Providing assistance may not cause an increase in amounts required for the operation of the Coast Guard.

(b) An individual (or the estate of that individual) who is authorized by the Coast Guard to provide a service under a program established under subsection (a) and who is acting within the scope of that individual's duties is not liable for injury to, or loss of, property or personal injury or death that may be caused incident to providing the service.

(Added Pub. L. 97–295, §2(6)(A), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1301.)

Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
---|---|---|

147a | 14:141 (note). | July 1, 1977, Pub. L. 95–61, §8, 91 Stat. 260. |


In subsection (a), the words “Secretary of Health and Human Services” are substituted for “Department of Health, Education, and Welfare” because of 20:3508(b) and because the responsibility is in the head of the Department. The word “may” is substituted for “is authorized to” for clarity. The word “conditions” is substituted for “terms and conditions” because it is inclusive. The words “deems appropriate” are omitted as unnecessary. The words “The following . . . limitations apply” are substituted for “shall be subject to the following . . . limitations” for clarity.

Similar provisions were contained in section 8 of Pub. L. 95–61 which was formerly set out as a note under section 141 of this title.

The Coast Guard may, when so requested by proper authority, detail members for duty in connection with maritime instruction and training by the several States, Territories, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and when requested by the Maritime Administrator, detail persons in the Coast Guard for duty in connection with maritime instruction and training by the United States. The service rendered by any person so detailed shall be considered Coast Guard duty.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 507; Pub. L. 97–31, §12(4), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 154; Pub. L. 98–557, §15(a)(3)(D), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2865.)

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §49 (Aug. 4, 1939, ch. 416, 53 Stat. 1181).

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

**1984**—Pub. L. 98–557 substituted reference to members for reference to officers and enlisted men.

**1981**—Pub. L. 97–31 substituted “Maritime Administrator” for “United States Maritime Commission”.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(1) The Commandant may use funds for—

(A) the activities of traveling contact teams, including any transportation expense, translation services expense, or administrative expense that is related to such activities;

(B) the activities of maritime authority liaison teams of foreign governments making reciprocal visits to Coast Guard units, including any transportation expense, translation services expense, or administrative expense that is related to such activities;

(C) seminars and conferences involving members of maritime authorities of foreign governments;

(D) distribution of publications pertinent to engagement with maritime authorities of foreign governments; and

(E) personnel expenses for Coast Guard civilian and military personnel to the extent that those expenses relate to participation in an activity described in subparagraph (C) or (D).

(2) An activity may not be conducted under this subsection with a foreign country unless the Secretary of State approves the conduct of such activity in that foreign country.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 507; Pub. L. 98–557, §15(a)(3)(D), (E), (4)(A)(i), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2865; Pub. L. 109–241, title II, §202(a), July 11, 2006, 120 Stat. 520; Pub. L. 111–281, title II, §§206, 220, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2911, 2918.)

Derived from title 34, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §441a (May 19, 1926, ch. 334, 44 Stat. 565; May 14, 1935, ch. 109, 49 Stat. 218; Oct. 1, 1942, ch. 571, 56 Stat. 763; 1946 Proc. No. 2695, July 4, 1946, 11 F.R. 7517, 60 Stat. 1352).

Experience has indicated that it will be advantageous for the Government to include the Coast Guard along with the other armed forces for the purpose of detailing personnel for service with foreign governments.

It seems probable that the increased collaboration with foreign governments after the war and the vital nature of the Coast Guard's activities in relation to such collaboration will result in requests from time to time by foreign governments for assistance which the Coast Guard is in the best position to render. This section, which confers broad authority in the President to detail Coast Guard officers and enlisted men to assist foreign governments, is patterned after the act of October 1, 1942, 56 Stat. 763 (title 34, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §441–a), which authorizes the President to detail Army, Navy, and Marine Corps officers and men to certain foreign governments and, in times of war or national emergency, to any foreign government in the interests of national defense. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

**2010**—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–281, §206, added subsec. (c).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–281, §220, added subsec. (d).

**2006**—Pub. L. 109–241 substituted “Assistance to foreign governments and maritime authorities” for “Detail of members to assist foreign governments” in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).

**1984**—Pub. L. 98–557 substituted reference to members for reference to officers and enlisted men in three places in text, and in catchline substituted “members” for “officers and men”.

Authority of President under this section as invoked by section 2 of Ex. Ord. No. 13223, Sept. 14, 2001, 66 F.R. 48201, as amended, delegated to Secretary of Homeland Security by section 5 of Ex. Ord. No. 13223, set out as a note under section 12302 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Commissioned officers may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, be regularly and officially attached to the diplomatic missions of the United States in those nations with which the United States is extensively engaged in maritime commerce. Expenses for the maintenance of such Coast Guard attacheï¿½AE1s abroad, including office rental and pay of employees and allowances for living quarters, including heat, fuel, and light, may be defrayed by the Coast Guard.

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 507.)

Experience since the war has indicated the necessity for making provision for the assignment of Coast Guard officers to diplomatic missions in those foreign countries which are extensively engaged in maritime commerce with the United States. This is largely the result of duties in connection with inspection of merchant vessels.

This section authorizes the designation, with the consent of the State Department, of Coast Guard officers to be officially attached to diplomatic missions of the United States. Although Coast Guard advice on Coast Guard matters is always available to our diplomatic missions, in those locations where such advice and information are frequently sought, it is felt that the most effective utilization of Coast Guard services would be achieved by having Coast Guard officers attached to such missions. Provision for customs officers to be attached to diplomatic missions is contained in the act of March 4, 1923, as amended, 42 Stat. 1453 (title 19, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §6). Before the transfer in 1939 of the Foreign Agriculture Service to the State Department, representatives of the Bureau of Agricultural Economics of the Department of Agriculture stationed abroad were agricultural attacheï¿½AE1s. Act of June 5, 1930, 46 Stat. 498 (title 7, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §542(a)). 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

(a)

(b)

(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 507; Pub. L. 111–281, title II, §202, Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2909.)

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §31c (June 6, 1942, ch. 384, 56 Stat. 328). 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.

**2010**—Pub. L. 111–281 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).

The Coast Guard Exchange System, or a morale, welfare, and recreation system of the Coast Guard, may enter into a contract or other agreement with any element or instrumentality of the Coast Guard or with another Federal department, agency, or instrumentality to provide or obtain goods and services beneficial to the efficient management and operation of the Coast Guard Exchange System or that morale, welfare, and recreation system.

(Added Pub. L. 108–293, title II, §202(a), Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1031.)

The Secretary may appoint civilian employees of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating as appellate military judges, available for assignment to the Coast Guard Court of Criminal Appeals as provided for in section 866(a) of title 10.

(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title II, §201(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2909.)