§339. Prevention and response workforces

(a) Career Paths.-The Secretary, acting through the Commandant, shall ensure that appropriate career paths for civilian and military Coast Guard personnel who wish to pursue career paths in prevention or response positions are identified in terms of the education, training, experience, and assignments necessary for career progression of civilians and members of the Armed Forces to the most senior prevention or response positions, as appropriate. The Secretary shall make available published information on such career paths.

(b) Qualifications for Certain Assignments.-An officer, member, or civilian employee of the Coast Guard assigned as a-

(1) marine inspector shall have the training, experience, and qualifications equivalent to that required for a similar position at a classification society recognized by the Secretary under section 3316 of title 46 for the type of vessel, system, or equipment that is inspected;

(2) marine casualty investigator shall have the training, experience, and qualifications in investigation, marine casualty reconstruction, evidence collection and preservation, human factors, and documentation using best investigation practices by Federal and non-Federal entities;

(3) marine safety engineer shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience in-

(A) the construction and operation of commercial vessels;

(B) judging the character, strength, stability, and safety qualities of such vessels and their equipment; or

(C) the qualifications and training of vessel personnel;

(4) waterways operations manager shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience with respect to maritime transportation system management; or

(5) port and facility safety and security specialist shall have knowledge, skill, and practical experience with respect to the safety, security, and environmental protection responsibilities associated with maritime ports and facilities.

(c) Apprenticeship Requirement To Qualify for Certain Careers.-The Commandant may require an officer, member, or employee of the Coast Guard in training for a specialized prevention or response career path to serve an apprenticeship under the guidance of a qualified individual. However, an individual in training to become a marine inspector, marine casualty investigator, marine safety engineer, waterways operations manager, or port and facility safety and security specialist shall serve a minimum of one-year as an apprentice unless the Commandant authorizes a shorter period for certain qualifications.

(d) Management Information System.-The Secretary, acting through the Commandant, shall establish a management information system for the prevention and response workforces that shall provide, at a minimum, the following standardized information on individuals serving in those workforces:

(1) Qualifications, assignment history, and tenure in assignments.

(2) Promotion rates for military and civilian personnel.

(e) Sector Chief of Prevention.-There shall be in each Coast Guard sector a Chief of Prevention who shall be at least a Lieutenant Commander or civilian employee within the grade GS–13 of the General Schedule, and who shall be a-

(1) marine inspector, qualified to inspect vessels, vessel systems, and equipment commonly found in the sector; and

(2) qualified marine casualty investigator, marine safety engineer, waterways operations manager, or port and facility safety and security specialist.

(f) Signatories of Letter of Qualification for Certain Prevention Personnel.-Each individual signing a letter of qualification for marine safety personnel must hold a letter of qualification for the type being certified.

(g) Sector Chief of Response.-There shall be in each Coast Guard sector a Chief of Response who shall be at least a Lieutenant Commander or civilian employee within the grade GS–13 of the General Schedule in each Coast Guard sector.

(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title V, §521(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2953 , §57; amended Pub. L. 113–281, title II, §§203, 221(b)(1)(B), Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 3024 , 3038; renumbered §312, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, §104(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4196 ; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §§8504(a), 8505(a)(1), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4747 ; renumbered §339, Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXII, §7201(b), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1675 .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

For redesignation of prior sections 350 to 500 not listed below as having been previously repealed or renumbered, see Table Showing Redesignations Made by Title I of Pub. L. 115–282 preceding section 101 of this title.

A prior section 356, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 521 , related to retirement for disabilities incident to service, prior to repeal by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408 . See sections 1204 and 1376 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

A prior section 358, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, §1, 63 Stat. 522 , limited number of retirements in a calendar year of enlisted men who had completed 20 years of service, to not more than the whole number nearest 1 percent of the total enlisted force on the active list, and any men so authorized to be retired annually who were not so retired, could be retired during any subsequent year providing the total retired in that year did not exceed 3 percent of the total enlisted force, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 88–114, §1(2), Sept. 6, 1963, 77 Stat. 144 .

Prior sections 363 and 364 were repealed by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408 .

Section 363, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 523 , related to retiring or dropping for disabilities not incident to service. See section 1207 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Section 364, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 523 , related to dropping for disabilities due to vicious habits. See section 1207 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

A prior section 368, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 524 , related to discharge in case of under-age enlistment, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–322, title I, §115(b)(1), Oct. 15, 1982, 96 Stat. 1585 .

A prior section 425, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 525 , related to retiring boards, prior to repeal by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408 . See section 1216 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Prior sections 431, 433, and 434 were repealed by Pub. L. 99–640, §10(a)(6)(A), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3549 , which provided in part that such repeal did not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun under those sections before Nov. 10, 1986.

Section 431, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 526 ; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §24, 64 Stat. 407 , related to personnel of former Life Saving Service.

Section 433, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 528 ; Sept. 27, 1949, ch. 586, 63 Stat. 698 ; Sept. 24, 1963, Pub. L. 88–130, §1(11), 77 Stat. 190 ; Oct. 12, 1982, Pub. L. 97–295, §2(11), (14), 96 Stat. 1302 , related to personnel of former Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation and Bureau of Customs.

Section 434, added act Sept. 23, 1950, ch. 996, 64 Stat. 978 ; amended Oct. 12, 1982, Pub. L. 97–295, §2(14), 96 Stat. 1302 , related to personnel appointed as constructors.

Prior sections 435 to 437 were repealed by Pub. L. 88–130, §4(a), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 192 .

Section 435, added act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §9(a), 70A Stat. 620 , related to temporary appointments in time of war or national emergency.

Section 436, added act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §9(a), 70A Stat. 621 , related to temporary promotions in time of war or national emergency.

Section 437, acts Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §9(a), 70A Stat. 622 ; June 28, 1962, Pub. L. 87–509, §4(b), 76 Stat. 121 , related to discharge during war or emergency of officers having less than 20 years of service for unsatisfactory performance of duty.

A prior section 438, added act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §9(a), 70A Stat. 623 ; amended June 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–444, §1(21), 80 Stat. 197 ; Dec. 12, 1980, Pub. L. 96–513, title V, §505(b), 94 Stat. 2918 , related to laws not applicable to warrant officers of former Life Saving Service, Lighthouse Service, Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation, and Bureau of Customs, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–640, §10(a)(6)(A), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3549 , which provided in part that such repeal did not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun under that section before Nov. 10, 1986.

Prior sections 439 and 440 were repealed by Pub. L. 88–130, §4(a), Sept. 24, 1963, 77 Stat. 192 .

Section 439, added act July 20, 1956, ch. 647, §3(a), 70 Stat. 588 , related to oath of office.

Section 440, added Pub. L. 85–861, §33(b)(1), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1567 , related to temporary promotion of warrant officers.

A prior section 462, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 530 ; May 14, 1960, Pub. L. 86–474, §1(19), 74 Stat. 146 , related to pay and allowances of rear admirals, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 87–649, §§14d(1), 15, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 502 , effective Nov. 1, 1962. See section 202 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services.

A prior section 462a, added act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §10(a), 70A Stat. 623 ; amended Sept. 7, 1962, Pub. L. 87–649, §7(b), 76 Stat. 495 , related to retired pay after two years of active duty for retired rear admirals, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–417, §2(11), Jan. 4, 1983, 96 Stat. 2086 .

A prior section 463, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 530 , related to continuation of additional pay, prior to repeal by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408 .

Prior sections 464 and 465 were repealed by Pub. L. 87–649, §§14d(2), (3), 15, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 502 , effective Nov. 1, 1962.

Section 464, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 531 , related to allotments of pay. See section 703 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services.

Section 465, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 531 , related to advances to officers ordered to and from sea or shore duty beyond the seas. See section 1006 of Title 37, Pay and Allowances of the Uniformed Services.

A prior section 466, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 531 , provided for settlement of accounts of deceased officers and men, prior to repeal by act July 12, 1955, ch. 328, §5(3), 69 Stat. 296 . See section 2771 of Title 10, Armed Forces, and section 714 of Title 32, National Guard.

A prior section 471a, added act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, §11(a), 70A Stat. 624 , authorized transportation of motor vehicles on permanent change of station, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 87–651, title III, §307B, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 526 .

A prior section 472, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 532 , related to travel allowance to enlisted men on discharge, prior to repeal by act Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §36, 64 Stat. 408 .

A prior section 473, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 532 , authorized Secretary to discharge underage Coast Guard enlisted personnel with appropriate pay and allowances, such persons to be given subsistence and transportation in kind to their homes, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–295, §2(15)(A), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1302 .

A prior section 474, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 532 , related to compensation for travel tolls and fares, prior to repeal by act Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1211, §5, 68 Stat. 1130 .

A prior section 489, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 534 , provided for payment of a death gratuity to survivors of officers and enlisted men of Regular Coast Guard, prior to repeal by act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 837, title V, §502(8)(A), 70 Stat. 886 . See sections 1475 to 1480 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

A prior section 490, acts Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, §1, 63 Stat. 534 ; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 536, §26, 64 Stat. 407 ; Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–738, §1, 72 Stat. 832 ; Sept. 15, 1965, Pub. L. 89–185, §2, 79 Stat. 789 , provided for settlement of claims of military and civilian personnel, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 88–558, §7, Aug. 31, 1964, 78 Stat. 768 , effective two years from Aug. 31, 1964. See section 3721 of Title 31, Money and Finance. Pub. L. 89–185 and Pub. L. 88–558 were repealed by Pub. L. 97–258, §5(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1068 .

A prior section 492a was renumbered section 492b of this title and subsequently renumbered section 2738 of this title.

A prior section 495, act Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 535 , related to additional pay for holders of medals, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 87–526, §1(3), July 10, 1962, 76 Stat. 141 , and by Pub. L. 87–649, §§14d(5), 15, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 502 , effective Nov. 1, 1962.

Amendments

2025-Pub. L. 119–60 renumbered section 312 of this title as this section.

2021-Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 116–283, §8504(a), substituted "maritime transportation system" for "marine transportation system".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–283, §8505(a)(1), substituted "individuals" for "persons" in introductory provisions.

2018-Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 57 of this title as this section.

2014-Subsec. (b)(4), (5). Pub. L. 113–281, §203(1), added pars. (4) and (5).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 113–281, §203(2), substituted "marine safety engineer, waterways operations manager, or port and facility safety and security specialist" for "or marine safety engineer".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 113–281, §221(b)(1)(B), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e) and struck out former subsec. (e) which related to assessment of adequacy of marine safety workforce.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 113–281, §221(b)(1)(B)(ii), redesignated subsec. (g) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 113–281, §203(3), substituted "investigator, marine safety engineer, waterways operations manager, or port and facility safety and security specialist" for "investigator or marine safety engineer".

Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 113–281, §221(b)(1)(B)(ii), redesignated subsec. (h) as (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (f).