Post date: Dec 04, 2009 1:17:40 AM
The statement is as follows:
R 161644Z NOV 09 ALCOAST 657/09 COMDTNOTE 16798 SUBJ: AUXILIARY VESSEL SALVAGE FUNDING PROCEDURES A. AUXILIARY MANUAL, COMDTINST M16790.1 (SERIES) B. AUXILIARY OPERATIONS POLICY MANUAL, COMDTINST M16798.3 (SERIES) C. COAST GUARD CLAIMS AND LITIGATION MANUAL, COMDTINST M5890.9 (SERIES)
1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ALCOAST IS TO SET POLICY AND GUIDELINES FOR THE SALVAGE OF AUXILIARY VESSELS OPERATING ON ORDERS DURING EMERGENT SITUATIONS TO MINIMIZE: A. THE POSSIBILITY FOR LOSS OF LIFE OR SEVERE INJURY TO MEMBERS, B. THE POSSIBILITY FOR TOTAL VESSEL LOSS, C. THE POSSIBILITY FOR A MARINE POLLUTION INCIDENT, D. THE POSSIBILITY FOR HAZARDS TO NAVIGATION, E. THE POSSIBILITY FOR ENDANGERMENT OF MARINE LIFE OR WILDLIFE.
2. AUXILIARY VESSELS OPERATING ON ORDERS ARE, BY LAW, COAST
GUARD VESSELS AND SHALL BE TREATED AS COAST GUARD VESSELS.
3. THE USE OF COAST GUARD FUNDS IS AUTHORIZED FOR AUXILIARY VESSEL SALVAGE OPERATIONS. THIS PROCESS SHALL BE EXECUTED EXACTLY LIKE A RESPONSE TO A GOVERNMENT VESSEL. DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES, AN OPERATIONAL COMMANDER MAY DIRECT LOCAL FUNDS TO BE EXPENDED OR SEEK SUPPORT THROUGH THE NAVAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM.
4. OFFICE OF BOAT FORCES (CG-731) WILL REIMBURSE THE FUNDING UNIT FOR FUNDS EXPENDED IN AUXILIARY SALVAGE OPERATIONS.
5. REFERENCES A AND B ARE BEING UPDATED TO REFLECT THIS POLICY CLARIFICATION.
6. THE EXISTING AUXILIARY DAMAGE CLAIMS PROCESS OUTLINED IN REF C REMAINS UNCHANGED. AUXILIARISTS ARE TO SUBMIT DAMAGE CLAIMS FOR THE REPAIR OF AUXILIARY VESSELS DAMAGED DURING OPERATION ON ORDERS. THE DAMAGE CLAIM PROCESS SHALL BE USED FOR ALL NON EMERGENT CASES AS DETERMINED BY THE COAST GUARD OPERATIONAL COMMANDER. THIS IS MERELY INTENDED TO VALIDATE THAT THE OPERATIONAL COMMANDER MAY COMMIT CG FUNDS IN EMERGENT SITUATIONS.
7. OFFICE OF AUXILIARY AND BOATING SAFETY (CG-542) POC IS LT LORI BARD, (202) 372-1265.
8. RELEASED BY RADM SALLY BRICE-OHARA, DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR OPERATIONS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.