Title 33—Navigation and Navigable Waters--Volume 1
PART 5—COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
§ 5.1   Definitions.
Certain terms used in this part are defined as follows:
Aircraft means any contrivance now known or hereafter invented, used, or designed for navigation of or flight in the air.
Auxiliary means the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary established pursuant to the Auxiliary Act.
Auxiliary Act means the laws governing the Coast Guard Auxiliary, codified in chapters 23 and 25 of Title 14, United States Code (14 U.S.C. 3901-3913 and 4101-4104).
Commandant means the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.
Direct Law Enforcement includes boarding a vessel for law enforcement purposes, carrying firearms or law enforcement equipment (handcuffs, pepper spray, etc.), investigating complaints of negligent operations, serving subpoenas, and covert operations. For more details see Chapter 4.E. of the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual, COMDTINST M16798.3 (series).
Facility means a vessel, aircraft, radio station, motorized vehicle, trailer, or other equipment accepted for use by the Coast Guard.
Member means any person who is a member of the Auxiliary.
Motorboat means any documented or numbered vessel propelled by machinery.
Personal property of the Auxiliary means a vessel, aircraft, radio station, motorized vehicle, trailer, or other equipment owned by, or under the administrative jurisdiction of, the Coast Guard Auxiliary or an Auxiliary unit, and that is used solely for Auxiliary purposes and in accordance with the Auxiliary Act.
Radio station means any equipment (including a building, recreational vehicle, trailer, or other motorized vehicle which houses such equipment) used for radio communication or direction finding.
Secretary means the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
Vessel means any water craft, including non-displacement craft and seaplanes, used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water.
Yacht means either—
(1) Any documented or numbered vessel used exclusively for pleasure; or
(2) Any sailboat used exclusively for pleasure more than 16 feet in length measured end-to-end over the deck, excluding sheer.
§ 5.3   Purpose.
(a) The Auxiliary is a uniformed, volunteer, non-military organization administered by the Commandant under the direction of the Secretary.
(b) The purpose of the Auxiliary is to assist the Coast Guard, as authorized by the Commandant, in performing any Coast Guard function, power, duty, role, mission, or operation authorized by law.
(c) Auxiliary units assist the Coast Guard in maintenance and upkeep, and in conducting tours of Coast Guard and other Federal- or State-owned structures and property.
(d) The Auxiliary assist Federal, State, and municipal agencies, as authorized by the Commandant.
§ 5.5   Organization, officers, and leadership.
(a) The Coast Guard Auxiliary is organized pursuant to the Auxiliary Act and Coast Guard regulations. Organizational elements include a national board and staff, national leadership, areas, districts, regions, divisions, and flotillas. A flotilla is the basic organizational unit of the Auxiliary.
(b) The Auxiliary has elected and appointed officers.
(1) Elected officers are in charge of Auxiliary units and elements at both the national and local levels of the Auxiliary organization. The Unit Leader is the senior elected officer at each level of the Auxiliary organization: Flotilla Commanders, Division Commanders, District Commodores, and the National Commodore are unit leaders.
(2) Appointed officers are appointed by elected officers and hold staff positions in Auxiliary units at both the national and local levels of the Auxiliary organization.
(c) For all Auxiliary units, the Unit Leader is the person authorized to exercise the authority set forth in § 5.7 on behalf of his or her unit, and may delegate that authority.
(d) For all Auxiliary units, the Finance Officer is the person authorized to handle, transfer and disburse bank accounts, monies, stocks, bonds, and other items of intangible personal property on behalf of his or her Auxiliary Unit.
§ 5.7   Administration, specific authorizations.
(a) The Commandant may delegate any authority vested in him or her by the Auxiliary Act or by this part to personnel of the Coast Guard and members of the Auxiliary in the manner and to the extent as the Commandant deems necessary or appropriate for the functioning, organization, and internal administration of the Auxiliary.
(b) The Commandant has authorized Auxiliary Unit Leaders to take the following actions in furtherance of the authorized missions of the Auxiliary. This is not an exclusive list—
(1) Acquire, own, hold, use, and dispose of vessels, aircraft, motorized vehicles, trailers, radio stations, electronic equipment and other items of tangible, personal property;
(2) Accept ownership, custody, or use of vessels, boats, aircraft, radio stations, motorized vehicles, trailers, electronic equipment, and other tangible property from the Coast Guard, from other Federal, State, or municipal agencies, or from private or non-profit groups;
(3) Create and manage bank accounts, monies, stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments;
(4) Accept and use gifts, grants, legacies, and bequests;
(5) Accept funds, materials, services, and the use of facilities from public and private entities and Federal, State, or municipal agencies;
(6) Enter into licenses, leases, contracts, memoranda of agreement, or understanding, and other agreements; and
(7) Enter into cooperative agreements and grant agreements with the Coast Guard and other Federal, State, or municipal agencies.
(c) The national board of the Auxiliary may form a corporation under State law and Coast Guard policy to manage the Auxiliary's fiscal affairs. The national corporation may—
(1) Hold copyrights, trademarks, and titles to Auxiliary property;
(2) Contract with the Coast Guard and other Federal, State, and municipal agencies to procure such goods and services;
(3) Receive grants, gifts, and other items on behalf of the Auxiliary; and
(4) Conduct other activities as may be authorized by the Commandant.
(d) An Auxiliary district or region may form a corporation under State law and Coast Guard policy.
§ 5.9   References.
Further guidance on Auxiliary missions and activities may be found in Coast Guard directives and publications, including the Auxiliary Manual (Commandant Instruction M16790.1(series)) and the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual (Commandant Instruction M16798.3(series)). Those directives and publications can be found online at https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/directives .
§ 5.10   Eligibility for membership.
(a) To be eligible for membership in the Auxiliary, a person must—
(1) Be a United States citizen, a national of the United States or of its Territories and possessions, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence; and
(2) Meet the standards for enrollment, retention, and conduct established by the Commandant.
(b) An applicant who is accepted for membership will be enrolled in the Auxiliary and will be issued a membership certificate and identification card. Possession of a membership certificate or identification card does not entitle a person to any rights or privileges of the Coast Guard or the Coast Guard Reserve except as authorized by the Commandant.
§ 5.11   Honorary members.
The Commandant may grant any person honorary membership in the Auxiliary. An honorary member of the Auxiliary, solely by reason of such honorary membership, is not entitled to any of the rights, benefits, privileges, duties, or obligations of Auxiliary membership.
§ 5.12   Offices, titles, designations, qualifications, and recognition.
Members of the Auxiliary will have such offices, titles, designations, qualifications, and recognition for achievements as prescribed by the Commandant.
§ 5.13   Advancement.
The Commandant will prescribe the circumstances and qualifications under which members of the Auxiliary may be advanced in offices and programs.
§ 5.14   Uniforms and insignia.
(a) Members of the Auxiliary are authorized to wear uniforms, uniform insignia, and awards as prescribed by the Commandant. Auxiliary uniform insignia indicate, and are solely associated with, Auxiliary offices, titles, designations, qualifications, and achievements. Auxiliary uniform insignia do not indicate rank in any military service or government agency.
(b) Members of the Auxiliary may purchase from the Coast Guard such uniforms, insignia, and awards as may be authorized by the Commandant.
§ 5.15   [Reserved]
§ 5.16   Compensation and travel expenses.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no member of the Auxiliary will receive any compensation for services as a member of the Auxiliary.
(b) A member of the Auxiliary may be paid actual necessary travelling expenses, including a per diem allowance.
§ 5.17   Status of members as Federal employees.
Members of the Auxiliary are not considered Federal employees except as provided by 14 U.S.C. 3904 or other provisions of law.
§ 5.18   Injury or death in the line of duty.
(a) The performance of duty, as the term is used in this part, includes time spent in the performance of duty, travel between duty locations, and travel between a place of assigned duty and either the Auxiliarist's permanent residence or other appropriate non-duty destination.
(b) A member of the Auxiliary who incurs physical injury or contracts sickness or disease in the performance of duty is entitled to medical and dental care until the resulting impairment cannot be materially improved by further hospitalization or treatment. A member of the Auxiliary who incurs physical injury or contracts sickness or disease in the performance of duty is entitled to obtain medical care from the Coast Guard, including through Coast Guard arrangements with a contract provider, the Public Health Service, the Department of Defense, or a Veterans' Administration facility.
(c) If a member of the Auxiliary is physically injured or dies as a result of physical injury, and the injury is incurred in the performance of duty, the member or the member's beneficiaries are authorized to receive compensation in accordance with 14 U.S.C. 3707, 5 U.S.C. 8133 and 8134 and section 651 of Public Law 104-208 (5 U.S.C. 8133 Note).
§ 5.19   Disenrollment.
A member of the Auxiliary will be disenrolled on the member's request, upon ceasing to possess the qualifications for membership, for cause, or upon direction of the Commandant.
§ 5.20   Authority.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, or otherwise limited by the Commandant, members of the Auxiliary assigned to duty will have the same authority in that duty's execution as a member of the Coast Guard who is assigned to a similar duty.
(b) Members of the Auxiliary are not authorized to engage in direct law enforcement or military missions.
(c) Members of the Auxiliary are not authorized to enforce limited access areas, regulated navigation areas, or special local regulations. Members of the Auxiliary assigned to patrol limited access areas, regulated navigation areas, or areas regulated under special local regulations may advise the public regarding compliance with the limited access area, regulated navigation area, or areas regulated by special local regulations.
§ 5.22   Assignment to duties.
Members of the Auxiliary will not be assigned duties until they have been found to be competent to perform such duties and have been designated by authority of the Commandant to perform such duties.
§ 5.24   Procedure for assignment to duty.
Members and facilities may be assigned to duty by any of the following procedures:
(a) Verbal or written orders issued by competent Coast Guard authority;
(b) The actual performance of an authorized activity or mission by a qualified member of the Auxiliary; or
(c) Other procedures as designated by the Commandant.
§ 5.26   Training, examination, and assignment.
(a) The Commandant will prescribe, through the Coast Guard Auxiliary directives referenced in § 5.9, the type of training, qualifications, and examinations required before a member of the Auxiliary will be deemed qualified to perform certain duties, and will prescribe the circumstances and manner in which members of the Auxiliary will be authorized to perform regular and emergency duties.
(b) The Commandant may authorize members of the Auxiliary to pursue correspondence courses and distance-learning courses conducted by the Coast Guard Education and Training Quota Management Command or other authorized Coast Guard providers and to attend other courses and training available to members of the Coast Guard or Coast Guard Reserve.
§ 5.30   Facilities and other equipment.
(a) This subpart contains regulations related to the facilities and other equipment used by the Auxiliary or loaned by the Auxiliary to the Coast Guard.
(b) Status —(1) Duty. Personal property of the Auxiliary, except when used for other than Auxiliary purposes in accordance with 14 U.S.C. 3902, will be considered assigned to authorized Coast Guard duty at all times.
(2) Liability. Personal property of the Auxiliary, except when used for other than Auxiliary purposes in accordance with 14 U.S.C. 3902, will be treated as property of the United States for the purposes of the Federal Tort Claims Act, the Military Claims Act, the Public Vessels Act, the Suits in Admiralty Act, the Admiralty Extension Act, and other matters related to non-contractual civil liability. Personal property of the Auxiliary is not normally covered for damage to the property itself.
(3) Federal status of facilities and other equipment. A vessel, aircraft, or radio station owned by, in the custody of, or under the administrative jurisdiction of the Auxiliary will be considered a public vessel of the United States, public vessel of the Coast Guard, public aircraft, Coast Guard Aircraft, and/or government station, in accordance with federal law.
(c) Expenses. (1) The Coast Guard may reimburse expenses related to the use, operation, or maintenance of a facility.
(2) The Coast Guard may reimburse expenses for damage or loss to or by a facility, including remediation, restoration, repair, replacement, or salvage costs.
(3) The Coast Guard may provide an allowance for the maintenance of a facility.
§ 5.32   Offers of member-owned vessels, aircraft, radio stations, motorized vehicles, trailers, and other equipment for use as a facility.
(a) Members of the Auxiliary wishing to offer vessels, aircraft, radio stations, motorized vehicles, trailers, or other equipment for use as a facility must follow the procedures set forth in the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual referenced in § 5.9.
(b) Upon acceptance of the vessels, aircraft, radio stations, motorized vehicles, trailers, or other equipment as a facility, the Coast Guard will issue to the member the appropriate numbers and decals identifying the facility as a Coast Guard Auxiliary facility.
(c) In an emergency, vessels, aircraft, radio stations, motorized vehicles, trailers, or other equipment may be accepted by the Coast Guard without an inventory or the use of the prescribed forms.
§ 5.34   Offers of personal property of the Auxiliary for use as a facility.
(a) Auxiliary units wishing to offer personal property of the Auxiliary (usually unit-owned property) for use as a facility must follow the procedures set forth in the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual referenced in § 5.9.
(b) Upon acceptance of the personal property of the Auxiliary as a facility, the Coast Guard will issue to the Auxiliary unit the appropriate numbers and decals identifying the facility as a Coast Guard Auxiliary facility.
(c) In an emergency, personal property of the Auxiliary may be accepted by the Coast Guard without an inventory or the use of prescribed forms.
§ 5.36   Loan of vessels, aircraft, radio stations, motorized vehicles, trailers, or other equipment to the Coast Guard.
(a) A vessel, aircraft, radio station, motorized vehicle, trailer, or other equipment may be loaned to the Coast Guard for a specific period, and must be returned at the expiration of that period, unless circumstances or an emergency make the return impracticable at that time. The Commandant will determine the method, time, and documents to be exchanged upon the return to the owner of any facility. The property will be re-inventoried as of the time, date, and place of re-delivery, and mutually settled by the owner and the Coast Guard representative. If the vessel, aircraft, radio station, motorized vehicle, trailer, or other equipment was accepted during an emergency, any claim for lost equipment or stores must be supported by invoices showing the date of purchase and the cost thereof by the person submitting the claim. The Coast Guard representative will take all proper precautions to protect the owner's interest, as well as that of the United States.
(b) Except as permitted in paragraph (c) of this section, no vessel, aircraft, radio station, motorized vehicle, trailer, or other equipment will be deemed loaned to the Coast Guard until an acceptance, on the prescribed form, has been signed on behalf of the Coast Guard by a person authorized by the Commandant to sign such an acceptance and a complete inventory of consumable and expendable stores and equipment has been made and mutually settled by the owner and the Coast Guard representative.
(c) In an emergency, a vessel, aircraft, radio station, motorized vehicle, trailer, or other equipment may be loaned to Coast Guard without an inventory or the use of the prescribed form.
§ 5.40   Distinctive markings for vessels, aircraft, motorized vehicles, trailers, radio stations, and other equipment.
(a) This subpart describes the design and display of distinctive markings used by Auxiliary vessels, aircraft, motorized vehicles, trailers, radio stations, and other equipment. These markings are established in the directives referenced in § 5.9 and the U.S. Coast Guard Heraldry Manual (COMDTINST M5200.14(series)).
(b) Auxiliary markings on vessels, aircraft, motorized vehicles, trailers, radio stations and other equipment. (1) Vessels, aircraft, motorized vehicles, trailers, radio stations, and other equipment which are owned by Auxiliary members, or are personal property of the Auxiliary, or are otherwise affiliated with the Auxiliary may display the Auxiliary emblem (§ 5.41), the Auxiliary ensign (§ 5.42), and/or the Auxiliary mark (§ 5.43).
(2) Vessels, aircraft, motorized vehicles, trailers, radio stations, and other equipment which are personal property of the Auxiliary may be marked “U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY”, “U.S. COAST GUARD AUX”, or “USCGAUX” in accordance with Coast Guard policy.
(3) Vessels, aircraft, motorized vehicles, trailers, radio stations, and other equipment which have been accepted as facilities shall display the Auxiliary facility decal (§ 5.44).
(4) Vessels that have been accepted as facilities and are on patrol, whether or not they are underway, shall display the National Ensign, the patrol sign (§ 5.45) and either the patrol ensign (§ 5.46) or the Coast Guard ensign (§ 5.47) as appropriate and able.
(5) Vessels that have been accepted as facilities and are on patrol, whether or not they are underway, and have a Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or non-commissioned officer onboard shall display the Coast Guard ensign in place of the patrol ensign.
(c)(1) Any person who desires to reproduce Coast Guard Auxiliary markings for non-Coast Guard Auxiliary use must obtain approval from Commandant (CG-BSX-11), Attn: Auxiliary Division, U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7501, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE., Washington, DC 20593-7501.
(2) Unauthorized use of Auxiliary markings is subject to the penalties of 14 U.S.C. 933, 934, 4102.
§ 5.41   Auxiliary emblem.
(a) Description. The Auxiliary emblem consists of a disk with the shield of the Coat of Arms of the United States circumscribed by an annulet edged and inscribed “U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY”, all in front of two crossed anchors.
(b) Display. The Auxiliary emblem is used as identification on Auxiliary ensigns, flags, pennants, decals, and patrol signs. The emblem is used on Auxiliary insignia, such as the member collar device, cap device, and Auxiliary aviator, coxswain, and Auxiliary Operator (AUXOP) devices, and on publications, stationery, clothing, and jewelry.
§ 5.42   Auxiliary ensign.
(a) Description. The field of the Auxiliary ensign is medium blue (Coast Guard blue) with a broad diagonal white slash upon which a matching blue Coast Guard Auxiliary emblem is centered. The white slash must be at a 70 degree angle, rising away from the hoist.
(b) Display. The Auxiliary ensign may be displayed by any member of the Auxiliary on a vessel, aircraft, radio station, building, or other location at any time, under such conditions as the Commandant may direct.
§ 5.43   Auxiliary mark.
(a) Description. The Auxiliary mark consists of a broad diagonal blue stripe followed (to the left or aft) by two narrow stripes—first a white stripe, and then a red stripe. The Auxiliary emblem, as described in § 5.41, is centered in the diagonal blue stripe.
(b) Display. The Auxiliary mark is used to identify personal property of the Auxiliary and on Coast Guard Auxiliary authorized publications, stationery, jewelry, and similar items.
§ 5.44   Auxiliary facility decal.
(a) Description. The Auxiliary facility decal is composed of two parts. The upper part is a conventional white shield with a medium blue (Coast Guard blue) Coast Guard Auxiliary emblem centered on a broad diagonal red (Coast Guard red) slash which is at a 70 degree angle, rising toward the viewer's right. The red (Coast Guard red) slash is followed, on the viewer's left, by two narrow, parallel stripes—first a white stripe, and then a medium blue (Coast Guard blue) stripe. The entire design is centered on the shield. The lower part displays two laterally radiating wreath branches centered immediately beneath the shield. A broad diagonal red (Coast Guard red) slash, which is at a 70 degree angle, rising toward the viewer's right and followed, on the viewer's left, by two narrow, parallel stripes, first a white stripe and then a medium blue (Coast Guard blue) stripe, is displayed on the wreath's right-hand branch.
(b) Display. Vessels, aircraft, motorized vehicles, trailers, radio stations and other equipment accepted for use by the Coast Guard must display the Auxiliary facility decal as authorized in the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual referenced in § 5.9.
(1) On vessels, the decal must be displayed on the port side of the vessel so as to be visible by another vessel when meeting such vessel in a port-to-port situation.
(2) On aircraft, the decal must be displayed on the pilot's side of the forward half of the aircraft.
(3) On radio facilities, the miniature decal must be displayed on the radio, and the full-size decal must be displayed on the exterior or interior of the building or trailer in which the radio is housed, or, in the case of mobile radios, on any legal place on the motor vehicle in which the radio is contained.
(4) On motorized vehicles, trailers and other equipment, the decal must be displayed on a clearly visible exterior location.
§ 5.45   Patrol sign.
(a) Description. The Auxiliary facility patrol sign has the words “Coast Guard Auxiliary Patrol” in black or dark blue lettering and must contain the Auxiliary emblem, as described in this subpart, centered within the confines of a broad diagonal red (Coast Guard red) stripe which is at a 70 degree angle rising toward the bow of the vessel. The red (Coast Guard red) stripe is followed, away from the bow, by two narrow, parallel stripes—first a white stripe, and then a medium blue (Coast Guard blue) stripe. The background of the sign must be white.
(b) Display. (1) The patrol sign must be displayed by vessels while on patrol, whether or not the vessel is underway.
(2) The patrol sign must be displayed on the forward half of each side and may be displayed on the stern of the vessel.
(3) The patrol sign may be displayed on each side of a motorized vehicle or trailer containing a mobile radio or radio direction finding unit while assigned to Coast Guard duty. Normally, they will be placed in any legal position on the upper half of both sides of the vehicle.
§ 5.46   Auxiliary patrol ensign.
(a) Description. The field of the Auxiliary patrol ensign is white. A medium blue (Coast Guard blue) Coast Guard Auxiliary emblem is centered on a broad diagonal red (Coast Guard red) slash which is at a 70 degree angle, rising toward the hoist. The red (Coast Guard red) slash is followed, away from the hoist, by two narrow, parallel stripes—first a white stripe, and then a medium blue (Coast Guard blue) stripe. The entire design is centered on the ensign.
(b) Display. Vessels that have been accepted as facilities shall display the Auxiliary patrol ensign when on patrol, whether or not the vessel is underway. The Auxiliary patrol ensign must be displayed at the mast head or from the most conspicuous hoist.
§ 5.47   Coast Guard ensign.
(a) Description. The Coast Guard ensign is described in 33 CFR 23.15.
(b) Display. Vessels that have been accepted as facilities and that have a Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or non-commissioned officer onboard shall display the Coast Guard ensign in place of the Auxiliary patrol ensign while on patrol, whether or not the vessel is underway. The Coast Guard ensign must be displayed at the mast head or from the most conspicuous hoist.
§ 5.48   Marking of aircraft.
(a) Aircraft owned by members of the Auxiliary or that are personal property of the Auxiliary may also display the Auxiliary emblem on both sides of the vertical stabilizer (outside of the stabilizer for twin tail aircraft) or on both sides of the fuselage aft of the wing.
(b) Aircraft which are accepted as facilities may be marked with the Auxiliary mark (§ 5.43) and/or the word “RESCUE” on the underside of the wing or fuselage for easier identification from the ground.