CHAPTER 39 —COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—
§3901. Administration of the Coast Guard Auxiliary
(a) The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a nonmilitary organization administered by the Commandant under the direction of the Secretary. For command, control, and administrative purposes, the Auxiliary shall include such organizational elements and units as are approved by the Commandant, including but not limited to, a national board and staff (to be known as the "Auxiliary headquarters unit"), districts, regions, divisions, flotillas, and other organizational elements and units. The Auxiliary organization and its officers shall have such rights, privileges, powers, and duties as may be granted to them by the Commandant, consistent with this title and other applicable provisions of law. The Commandant may delegate to officers of the Auxiliary the authority vested in the Commandant by this section, in the manner and to the extent the Commandant considers necessary or appropriate for the functioning, organization, and internal administration of the Auxiliary.
(b) Each organizational element or unit of the Coast Guard Auxiliary organization (but excluding any corporation formed by an organizational element or unit of the Auxiliary under subsection (c) of this section), shall, except when acting outside the scope of section 3902, at all times be deemed to be an instrumentality of the United States, for purposes of the following:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6) Other matters related to noncontractual civil liability.
(c) The national board of the Auxiliary, and any Auxiliary district or region, may form a corporation under State law in accordance with policies established by the Commandant.
(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), personal property of the auxiliary shall not be considered property of the United States.
(2) The Secretary may treat personal property of the auxiliary as property of the United States—
(A) for the purposes of—
(i) the statutes and matters referred to in paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (b); and
(ii)
(B) as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(3) The Secretary may reimburse the Auxiliary, and each organizational element and unit of the Auxiliary, for necessary expenses of operation, maintenance, and repair or replacement of personal property of the Auxiliary.
(4) In this subsection, the term "personal property of the Auxiliary" means motor boats, yachts, aircraft, radio stations, motorized vehicles, trailers, or other equipment that is under the administrative jurisdiction of the Coast Guard Auxiliary or an organizational element or unit of the Auxiliary and that is used solely for the purposes described in this subsection.
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393,
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§260, 263 (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, §§1, 4,
This section continues the Auxiliary, redefining it as a nonmilitary organization, and providing for its administration. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A)(ii).
2016—Subsec. (b)(1).
2006—Subsec. (b)(3) to (5).
"(3) The Act of March 3, 1925 (46 App. U.S.C. 781–790; popularly known as the Public Vessels Act).
"(4) The Act of March 9, 1920 (46 App. U.S.C. 741–752; popularly known as the Suits in Admiralty Act).
"(5) The Act of June 19, 1948 (46 App. U.S.C. 740; popularly known as the Admiralty Extension Act)."
2004—Subsec. (d).
1996—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Use of Coast Guard Auxiliary
§3902. Purpose of the Coast Guard Auxiliary
(a)
(b)
(1) the Commandant has determined such waterway, or portion thereof, is navigable for purposes of the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard; or
(2) a State or other proper authority has requested such patrol pursuant to
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393,
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §261 (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, §2,
Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—
Subsec. (b)(2).
2016—
1996—
"(a) to promote safety and to effect rescues on and over the high seas and on navigable waters;
"(b) to promote efficiency in the operation of motorboats and yachts;
"(c) to foster a wider knowledge of, and better compliance with, the laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of motorboats and yachts; and
"(d) to facilitate other operations of the Coast Guard."
§3903. Eligibility; enrollments
The Auxiliary shall be composed of nationals of the United States, as defined in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (
(1) who—
(A) are owners, sole or part, of motorboats, yachts, aircraft, or radio stations; or
(B) by reason of their special training or experience are deemed by the Commandant to be qualified for duty in the Auxiliary; and
(2) who may be enrolled therein pursuant to applicable regulations.
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393,
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§262, 351 (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, §3, title III, §301,
All reference to the Philippine Islands is eliminated.
Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—
2012—
§3904. Members of the Auxiliary; status
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary shall not be considered to be a Federal employee and shall not be subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal employment, including those relating to hours of work, rates of compensation, leave, unemployment compensation, Federal employee benefits, ethics, conflicts of interest, and other similar criminal or civil statutes and regulations governing the conduct of Federal employees. However, nothing in this subsection shall constrain the Commandant from prescribing standards for the conduct and behavior of members of the Auxiliary.
(b) A member of the Auxiliary while assigned to duty shall be deemed to be a Federal employee only for the purposes of the following:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6) Other matters related to noncontractual civil liability.
(7) Compensation for work injuries under
(8) The resolution of claims relating to damage to or loss of personal property of the member incident to service under the Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claims Act of 1964 (
(9) Section 651 of
(c) A member of the Auxiliary, while assigned to duty, shall be deemed to be a person acting under an officer of the United States or an agency thereof for purposes of
(Added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claims Act of 1964, referred to in subsec. (b)(8), is
Section 651 of
Amendments
2018—
Subsec. (b)(9).
2016—Subsec. (b)(1).
2006—Subsec. (b)(3) to (5).
"(3) The Act of March 3, 1925 (46 App. U.S.C. 781–790; popularly known as the Public Vessels Act).
"(4) The Act of March 9, 1920 (46 App. U.S.C. 741–752; popularly known as the Suits in Admiralty Act).
"(5) The Act of June 19, 1948 (46 App. U.S.C. 740; popularly known as the Admiralty Extension Act)."
2002—Subsec. (b)(9).
1 See References in Text note below.
§3905. Disenrollment
Members of the Auxiliary may be disenrolled pursuant to applicable regulations.
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393,
Historical and Revision Notes
Experience has shown that it is desirable to have a statute definitely providing for separation of Auxiliarists from the organization. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—
§3906. Membership in other organizations
Members of the Auxiliary may be appointed or enlisted in the Reserve, pursuant to applicable regulations, and membership in the Auxiliary shall not be a bar to membership in any other naval or military organization.
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393,
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §264 (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, §5,
Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—
§3907. Use of member's facilities
(a)
(b)
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393,
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §265 (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, §6,
Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—
Subsec. (b).
2006—
1950—Act Aug. 3, 1950, struck out comma after "Secretary" and substituted "any" for "and" after "Secretary".
§3908. Vessel deemed public vessel
While assigned to authorized Coast Guard duty, any motorboat or yacht shall be deemed to be a public vessel of the United States and a vessel of the Coast Guard within the meaning of
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393,
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §266 (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, §7,
Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—
1996—
§3909. Aircraft deemed public aircraft
While assigned to authorized Coast Guard duty, any aircraft shall be deemed to be a Coast Guard aircraft, a public vessel of the United States, and a vessel of the Coast Guard within the meaning of
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393,
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §266a (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, §7A, as added Sept. 30, 1944, ch. 453, §4,
The last clause of said section is eliminated because it might be construed to exempt planes of members from being licensed according to law.
Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—
1996—
§3910. Radio station deemed government station
Any radio station, while assigned to authorized Coast Guard duty shall be deemed to be a radio station of the Coast Guard and a "government station" within the meaning of section 305 of the Communications Act of 1934 (
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393,
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §266b (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, §7B, as added Sept. 30, 1944, ch. 453, §4,
Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—
1986—
1976—
§3911. Availability of appropriations
(a) Appropriations of the Coast Guard shall be available for the payment of actual necessary traveling expense and subsistence, or commutation of ration allowance in lieu of subsistence, of members of the Auxiliary assigned to authorized duties and for actual necessary expenses of operation of any motorboat, yacht, aircraft, radio station, or motorized vehicle utilized under section 3907(b) when assigned to Coast Guard duty, but shall not be available for the payment of compensation for personal services, incident to such operation, other than to personnel of the Coast Guard or the Reserve. The term "actual necessary expenses of operation," as used in this section, shall include payment for fuel, oil, power, water, supplies, provisions, replacement or repair of equipment, repair of any damaged motorboat, yacht, aircraft, radio station, or motorized vehicle utilized under section 3907(b) and for the constructive or actual loss of any motorboat, yacht, aircraft, radio station, or motorized vehicle utilized under section 3907(b) where it is determined, under applicable regulations, that responsibility for the loss or damage necessitating such replacement or repair of equipment, or for the damage or loss, constructive or actual, of such motorboat, yacht, aircraft, radio station, or motorized vehicle utilized under section 3907(b) rests with the Coast Guard.
(b) The Secretary may pay interest on a claim under this section in any case in which a payment authorized under this section is not made within 60 days after the submission of the claim in a manner prescribed by the Secretary. The rate of interest for purposes of this section shall be the annual rate established under section 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393,
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §267 (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, §8,
Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b), is classified to
Amendments
2018—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
2006—Subsec. (a).
1996—Subsec. (a).
1986—
§3912. Assignment and performance of duties
No member of the Auxiliary, solely by reason of such membership, shall be vested with, or exercise, any right, privilege, power, or duty vested in or imposed upon the personnel of the Coast Guard or the Reserve, except that any such member may, under applicable regulations, be assigned duties, which, after appropriate training and examination, he has been found competent to perform, to effectuate the purposes of the Auxiliary. No member of the Auxiliary shall be placed in charge of a motorboat, yacht, aircraft, or radio station assigned to Coast Guard duty unless he has been specifically designated by authority of the Commandant to perform such duty. Members of the Auxiliary, when assigned to duties as herein authorized shall, unless otherwise limited by the Commandant, be vested with the same power and authority, in the execution of such duties, as members of the regular Coast Guard assigned to similar duty. When any member of the Auxiliary is assigned to such duty he may, pursuant to regulations issued by the Secretary, be paid actual necessary traveling expenses, including a per diem allowance in conformity with standardized Government travel regulations in lieu of subsistence, while traveling and while on duty away from his home. No per diem shall be paid for any period during which quarters and subsistence in kind are furnished by the Government, and no per diem shall be paid for any period while such member is performing duty on a vessel.
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393,
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §268 (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, §9,
Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—
1996—
§3913. Injury or death in line of duty
When any member of the Auxiliary is physically injured or dies as a result of physical injury incurred while performing any duty to which he has been assigned by competent Coast Guard authority, such member or his beneficiary shall be entitled to the same benefits provided for temporary members of the Reserve who suffer physical injury or death resulting from physical injury incurred incident to service. Members of the Auxiliary who incur physical injury or contract sickness or disease while performing any duty to which they have been assigned by competent Coast Guard authority shall be entitled to the same hospital treatment afforded members of the Coast Guard. The performance of a duty as the term is used in this section includes time engaged in traveling back and forth between the place of assigned duty and the permanent residence of a member of the Auxiliary.
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393,
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §270 (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, §11, as added Sept. 30, 1944, ch. 453, §7,
Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2018—
1996—
1984—
1974—