Title 14Coast GuardRelease 119-73

§3902 Purpose of the Coast Guard Auxiliary

Title 14 › Subtitle SUBTITLE III— - COAST GUARD RESERVE AND AUXILIARY › Chapter CHAPTER 39— - COAST GUARD AUXILIARY › § 3902

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Coast Guard Auxiliary may assist with any Coast Guard duty if the Commandant allows, and may patrol waterways only when the Commandant finds them navigable or a State or other authority requests it under section 701 or section 13109 of title 46.

Full Legal Text

Title 14, §3902

Coast Guard — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)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.
(b)The Auxiliary may conduct a patrol of a waterway, or a portion thereof, only if—
(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 section 701 of this title or section 13109 of title 46.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., § 261 (Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, title I, § 2, 55 Stat. 9; Sept. 30, 1944, ch. 453, § 1, 58 Stat. 759). Changes were made in phraseology. 81st Congress,

House Report No. 557

.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282, § 119(b), renumbered section 822 of this title as this section. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–282, § 123(b)(2), substituted “section 701” for “section 141”. 2016—Pub. L. 114–120 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b). 1996—Pub. L. 104–324 inserted “of the Coast Guard Auxiliary” after “Purpose” in section catchline and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The purpose of the Auxiliary is to assist the Coast Guard: “(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.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

14 U.S.C. § 3902

Title 14Coast Guard

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73