comdtinst m16114.32c - U.S. Coast Guard

Part 2 – Operations and Missions
Chapter 2 – Mission Planning
A.5. Search and
Rescue (SAR)
and Law
Enforcement
(LE)
For SAR missions, potential risks to the boat and crew shall be weighed
against risks to the personnel and/or property in distress if the mission is
not undertaken. Probable loss of the boat crew is not an acceptable risk.
Additionally, the individuals making the decision shall consider the
effects of exposing people in distress to the additional risks associated
with rescue operations, especially if the physical condition of those
persons in distress is already impaired.
In the case of LE, potential risks to the boat shall be weighed with the
risk of bodily harm to LE personnel, hostages, and innocent parties.
Safety of life at sea takes precedence over LE responses. Significant
unsafe conditions must be alleviated before moving to a LE phase. This
may involve documenting a violation on scene for later LE action.
A.5.a. Saving
Lives
The probability of saving human life warrants a maximum effort. When
no suitable alternative exists and the mission has a reasonable chance of
success, the risk of damage to or abuse of the boat is acceptable, even
though such damage or abuse may render the boat unrecoverable.
The possibility of saving human life or the probability of preventing or
relieving intense pain or suffering warrants the risk of damage to or
abuse of the boat if recovering the boat can reasonably be expected.
A.5.b. Saving
Property
A.5.c. Federal
Law Violations
The probability of saving property of the United States or its citizens
warrants the risk of damage to the boat if the value of the property to be
saved is unquestionably greater than the cost of boat damage and the boat
is fully expected to be recoverable.
The possibility of recovering evidence and interdicting or apprehending
alleged violators of Federal law does not warrant probable damage to or
abuse of the boat.
A.6. Logistics and Logistics and other missions having little or no urgency shall not be
Other Missions prosecuted if they expose the boat to hazards greater than those
encountered during the course of routine missions.
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