Title 14 — Coast Guard
Chapter 1 — Establishment and Duties
§ 102. Primary duties
Statutory text
Definitions.—
In this section:
Non-homeland security missions.—
The term “non-homeland security missions” means the following missions of the Coast Guard:
Marine safety.
Search and rescue.
Aids to navigation.
Living marine resources (fisheries law enforcement).
Marine environmental protection.
Ice operations.
Homeland security missions.—
The term “homeland security missions” means the following missions of the Coast Guard:
Ports, waterways and coastal security.
Drug interdiction.
Migrant interdiction.
Defense readiness.
Other law enforcement.
Primary Duties.—
The Coast Guard shall—
enforce or assist in the enforcement of all applicable Federal laws on, under, and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States;
engage in maritime air surveillance or interdiction to enforce or assist in the enforcement of the laws of the United States;
administer laws and promulgate and enforce regulations for the promotion of safety of life and property on and under the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, covering all matters not specifically delegated by law to some other executive department;
develop, establish, maintain, and operate, with due regard to the requirements of national defense, aids to maritime navigation, icebreaking facilities, and rescue facilities for the promotion of safety on, under, and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States;
pursuant to international agreements, develop, establish, maintain, and operate icebreaking facilities on, under, and over waters other than the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States;
engage in oceanographic research of the high seas and in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; and
maintain a state of readiness to assist in the defense of the United States, including when functioning as a specialized service in the Navy pursuant to section 103.
Legislative history
Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.
Title 14, United States Code, section —
Pub. L. 81–393 · 63 Stat. 495
Enacted · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 496, § 2
Source evidence
Code source credit
Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 496, § 2Pub. L. 87–396 § 1 · 75 Stat. 827
Changed · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 87–396 required Coast Guard to engage in oceanographic research on high seas and in waters subject to jurisdiction of the United States
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 87–396 required Coast Guard to engage in oceanographic research on high seas and in waters subject to jurisdiction of the United States.Pub. L. 91–278 § 1(1) · 84 Stat. 304
Substituted · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 91–278 improved and clarified text, substituting “on and under” for “upon” in clause preceding first semicolon; inserting “and under” after “life and property on”
Struck · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 91–278 improved and clarified text, striking out “on” after “the high seas and” in clause preceding second semicolon;
Substituted · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 91–278 improved and clarified text, substituting “icebreaking” for “ice-breaking”
Inserted · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 91–278 improved and clarified text, inserting “, under,” after “promotion of safety on” in clause preceding third semicolon, respectively
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 91–278 improved and clarified text, substituting “on and under” for “upon” in clause preceding first semicolon; inserting “and under” after “life and property on” and striking out “on” after “the high seas and” in clause preceding second semicolon; and substituting “icebreaking” for “ice-breaking” and inserting “, under,” after “promotion of safety on” in clause preceding third semicolon, respectively.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) Section 2 is amended— (A) by deleting the word “upon” and substituting therefor the words “on and under”, in the clause preceding the first semicolon; (B) by inserting “and under” after the phrase “life and property on” and deleting the word “on” after the phrase “the high seas and” in the clause preceding the second semicolon; and (C) by correctly spelling icebreaking as an unhyphenated word and inserting “, under,” after the phrase “promotion of safety on” in the clause preceding the third semicolon.Pub. L. 93–519 · 88 Stat. 1659
Inserted · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 93–519 inserted provision requiring Coast Guard to develop, establish, maintain and operate, pursuant to international agreements, icebreaking facilities in waters other than those subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 93–519 inserted provision requiring Coast Guard to develop, establish, maintain and operate, pursuant to international agreements, icebreaking facilities in waters other than those subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1986
Pub. L. 99–640 § 6 · 100 Stat. 3545
Inserted · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 99–640 inserted “, including the fulfillment of Maritime Defense Zone command responsibilities.”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 99–640 inserted “, including the fulfillment of Maritime Defense Zone command responsibilities.”Enacted provision · exact public law section
Sec. 6. maritime defense zone Section 2 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting immediately before the period at the end thereof the following: “, including the fulfillment of Maritime Defense Zone command responsibilities.”Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1988
Pub. L. 100–448 § 17 · 102 Stat. 1836
Substituted · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 100–448 substituted “Federal laws on, under, and over” for “Federal laws on and under”
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 100–448 substituted “Federal laws on, under, and over” for “Federal laws on and under”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
SEC. 17. CLARIFYING AMENDMENT TO TITLE 14. Section 2 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “on and under ” the first place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof “on, under, and over ”.National Commission on Measured Responses to Achieve a Drug-Free America by 1995 Authorization Act
Pub. L. 100–690 title VII § 7403 · 102 Stat. 4181
Substituted · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 100–690 substituted “United States; shall engage in maritime air surveillance or interdiction to enforce or assist in the enforcement of the laws of the United States; shall administer” for first reference to “United States;”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 100–690 substituted “United States; shall engage in maritime air surveillance or interdiction to enforce or assist in the enforcement of the laws of the United States; shall administer” for first reference to “United States;”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
SEC. 7403. COAST GUARD LAW ENFORCEMENT DUTIES. Section 2 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “United States;” the first place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof “United States; shall engage in maritime air surveillance or interdiction to enforce or assist in the enforcement of the laws of the United States;”.Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012
Pub. L. 112–213 title II § 217(1) · 126 Stat. 1540
Amended · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 112–213 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to primary duties of the Coast Guard
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 112–213 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to primary duties of the Coast Guard.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) by amending chapter 1 to read as follows: “CHAPTER 1— ESTABLISHMENT AND DUTIES “Sec. “1. Establishment of Coast Guard. “2. Primary duties. “3. Department in which the Coast Guard operates. “4. Secretary defined. “§ 1. Establishment of Coast Guard “The Coast Guard, established January 28, 1915, shall be a military service and a branch of the armed forces of the United States at all times. “§ 2. Primary duties “The Coast Guard shall— “(1) enforce or assist in the enforcement of all applicable Federal laws on, under, and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; “(2) engage in maritime air surveillance or interdiction to enforce or assist in the enforcement of the laws of the United States; “(3) administer laws and promulgate and enforce regulations for the promotion of safety of life and property on and under the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, covering all matters not specifically delegated by law to some other executive department; “(4) develop, establish, maintain, and operate, with due regard to the requirements of national defense, aids to maritime navigation, icebreaking facilities, and rescue facilities for the promotion of safety on, under, and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; “(5) pursuant to international agreements, develop, establish, maintain, and operate icebreaking facilities on, under, and over waters other than the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; “(6) engage in oceanographic research of the high seas and in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; and “(7) maintain a state of readiness to function as a specialized service in the Navy in time of war, including the fulfillment of Maritime Defense Zone command responsibilities. “§ 3. Department in which the Coast Guard operates “(a) In General.— The Coast Guard shall be a service in the Department of Homeland Security, except when operating as a service in the Navy. “(b) Transfers.— Upon President. the declaration of war if Congress so directs in the declaration or when the President directs, the Coast Guard shall operate as a service in the Navy, and shall so continue until the President, by Executive order, transfers the Coast Guard back to the Department of Homeland Security. While operating as a service in the Navy, the Coast Guard shall be subject to the orders of the Secretary of the Navy, who may order changes in Coast Guard operations to render them uniform, to the extent such Secretary deems advisable, with Navy operations. “(c) Operation as a Service in the Navy.— Whenever the Coast Guard operates as a service in the Navy— “(1) applicable appropriations of the Navy Department shall be available for the expense of the Coast Guard; “(2) applicable appropriations of the Coast Guard shall be available for transfer to the Navy Department; “(3) precedence between commissioned officers of corresponding grades in the Coast Guard and the Navy shall be determined by the date of rank stated by their commissions in those grades; “(4) personnel of the Coast Guard shall be eligible to receive gratuities, medals, and other insignia of honor on the same basis as personnel in the naval service or serving in any capacity with the Navy; and “(5) the Secretary may place on furlough any officer of the Coast Guard and officers on furlough shall receive one half of the pay to which they would be entitled if on leave of absence, but officers of the Coast Guard Reserve shall not be so placed on furlough. “§ 4. Secretary defined “In this title, the term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the respective department in which the Coast Guard is operating.” ;Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018
Pub. L. 115–282 § 103(b) · 132 Stat. 4192
Changed · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 115–282, § 103(b), renumbered section 2 of this title as this section
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 115–282, § 103(b), renumbered section 2 of this title as this section.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(b) Redesignations and Transfers.— (1) Requirement.— The sections of title 14, United States Code, identified in the table provided in paragraph (2) are amended— (A) by redesignating the sections as described in the table; and (B) by transferring the sections, as necessary, so that the sections appear after the table of sections for chapter 1 of such title (as added by subsection (a)), in the order in which the sections are presented in the table. (2) Table.— The table referred to in paragraph (1) is the following: Title 14 section number before redesignationSection heading (provided for identification purposes only-not amended)Title 14 section number after redesignation 1Establishment of Coast Guard101 2Primary duties102 3Department in which the Coast Guard operates103 652Removing restrictions104 4Secretary defined105 5Commandant defined106Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018
Pub. L. 115–282 § 302 · 132 Stat. 4192
Amended · 14 U.S.C. § 102(7)
Pub. L. 115–282, § 302, amended par. (7) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (7) read as follows: “maintain a state of readiness to function as a specialized service in the Navy in time of war, including the fulfillment of Maritime Defense Zone command responsibilities.”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Par. (7). Pub. L. 115–282, § 302, amended par. (7) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (7) read as follows: “maintain a state of readiness to function as a specialized service in the Navy in time of war, including the fulfillment of Maritime Defense Zone command responsibilities.”Enacted provision · exact public law section
SEC. 302. PRIMARY DUTIES. Section 102(7) of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(7) maintain a state of readiness to assist in the defense of the United States, including when functioning as a specialized service in the Navy pursuant to section 103.” .Pub. L. 119–60 div. G title LXXII § 7201(j) · 139 Stat. 1686
Amended · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 119–60 designated existing provisions as subsec. (b)
Inserted · 14 U.S.C. § 102
Pub. L. 119–60 inserted heading, and transferred section 888(a) of Pub. L. 107–296 to this section to appear before subsec. (b). See Codification note above
Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–60 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 119–60 designated existing provisions as subsec. (b), inserted heading, and transferred section 888(a) of Pub. L. 107–296 to this section to appear before subsec. (b). See Codification note above.
10 of 15 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 3 partial · 2 unresolved
Notes
Historical and Revision Notes
This section defines in general terms, for the first time in any statute, all the primary duties of the Coast Guard. It is derived from title 14, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§ 45, 50k–50o, 51, 52, 53, 55, 60, 61, 62, 63, 98a, 104, 261, 301, title 33, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§ 720, 720a, 740, 740a, 740b, title 46, U.S.C., 1946 ed., §§ 1 (footnote), 2 (R.S. 1536, 2747, 2758, 2759, 4249; June 23, 1874, ch. 455, § 1, 18 Stat. 220; June 18, 1878, ch. 265, § 4, 20 Stat. 163; July 5, 1884, ch. 221, § 2, 23 Stat. 118; Feb. 14, 1903, ch. 552, § 10, 32 Stat. 829; Apr. 19, 1906, ch. 1640, §§ 1–3, 34 Stat. 123; May 12, 1906, ch. 2454, 34 Stat. 190; June 17, 1910, ch. 301, §§ 6, 7, 36 Stat. 538; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, § 1, 37 Stat. 736; June 24, 1914, ch. 124, 38 Stat. 387; Mar. 3, 1915, ch. 81, § 5, 38 Stat. 927; Aug. 29, 1916, ch. 417, 39 Stat. 1820; May 22, 1926, ch. 371, § 6, 44 Stat. 626; June 30, 1932, ch. 314, § 501, 47 Stat. 415; May 27, 1936, ch. 463, § 1, 49 Stat. 1380; Aug. 16, 1937, ch. 665, § 3, 50 Stat. 667; Feb. 19, 1941, ch. 8, §§ 2, 201, 55 Stat. 9, 11; July 11, 1941, ch. 290, § 7, 55 Stat. 585; Nov. 23, 1942, ch. 639, § 2(2), 56 Stat. 102; Sept. 30, 1944, ch. 453, § 1, 58 Stat. 759; June 22, 1948, ch. 600, 62 Stat. 574; June 26, 1948, ch. 672, 62 Stat. 1050).
This section contains a codification of functions. It sets forth in general language the primary responsibilities of the Coast Guard: enforcement of all Federal laws on waters to which they have application, safety of life and property at sea, aiding navigation, and readiness to function with the Navy. Having been created in 1915 by the consolidation of the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life Saving Service, the Coast Guard has gradually been given additional duties and responsibilities, such as the assignment of law enforcement powers on the high seas and navigable waters in 1936, the transfer of the Lighthouse Service in 1939, and the transfer of the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation in 1942. Existing along with these other duties has been that of maintaining a state of readiness as a specialized service prepared for active participation with the Navy in time of war. These various interdependent functions of the Service have not been expressed collectively in any statute heretofore, but it is believed desirable to do so in this revision in order to have outlined in general terms in one section the broad scope of the functions of the Coast Guard. 81st Congress, House Report No. 557.
Editorial Notes
Codification
The text of section 468(a) of Title 6, Domestic Security, which was transferred to subsec. (a) of this section by Pub. L. 119–60, § 7201(j)(2), is based on Pub. L. 107–296, title VIII, § 888(a), , 116 Stat. 2249.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 102 was renumbered section 717 of this title.
Amendments1961–2025 · 8 rounds
2025
Pub. L. 119–60 designated existing provisions as subsec. (b), inserted heading, and transferred section 888(a) of Pub. L. 107–296 to this section to appear before subsec. (b). See Codification note above.
2018
Pub. L. 115–282, § 103(b), renumbered section 2 of this title as this section.
Par. (7). Pub. L. 115–282, § 302, amended par. (7) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (7) read as follows: “maintain a state of readiness to function as a specialized service in the Navy in time of war, including the fulfillment of Maritime Defense Zone command responsibilities.”
2012
Pub. L. 112–213 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to primary duties of the Coast Guard.
1988
Pub. L. 100–690 substituted “United States; shall engage in maritime air surveillance or interdiction to enforce or assist in the enforcement of the laws of the United States; shall administer” for first reference to “United States;”.
Pub. L. 100–448 substituted “Federal laws on, under, and over” for “Federal laws on and under”.
1986
Pub. L. 99–640 inserted “, including the fulfillment of Maritime Defense Zone command responsibilities.”
1974
Pub. L. 93–519 inserted provision requiring Coast Guard to develop, establish, maintain and operate, pursuant to international agreements, icebreaking facilities in waters other than those subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
1970
Pub. L. 91–278 improved and clarified text, substituting “on and under” for “upon” in clause preceding first semicolon; inserting “and under” after “life and property on” and striking out “on” after “the high seas and” in clause preceding second semicolon; and substituting “icebreaking” for “ice-breaking” and inserting “, under,” after “promotion of safety on” in clause preceding third semicolon, respectively.
1961
Pub. L. 87–396 required Coast Guard to engage in oceanographic research on high seas and in waters subject to jurisdiction of the United States.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of , as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
Credits
1949–2025 · 10 acts
- 1949Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 496, § 2
- 1961Pub. L. 87–396, § 1, , 75 Stat. 827
- 1970Pub. L. 91–278, § 1(1), , 84 Stat. 304
- 1974Pub. L. 93–519, , 88 Stat. 1659
- 1986Pub. L. 99–640, § 6, , 100 Stat. 3547
- 1988Pub. L. 100–448, § 17, , 102 Stat. 1845
- 1988Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7403, , 102 Stat. 4484
- 2012Pub. L. 112–213, title II, § 217(1), , 126 Stat. 1556
- 2018renumbered § 102 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 103(b), title III, § 302, , 132 Stat. 4195, 4243
- 2025Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXII, § 7201(j), , 139 Stat. 1686.
Show as published
(Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 496, § 2; Pub. L. 87–396, § 1, , 75 Stat. 827; Pub. L. 91–278, § 1(1), , 84 Stat. 304; Pub. L. 93–519, , 88 Stat. 1659; Pub. L. 99–640, § 6, , 100 Stat. 3547; Pub. L. 100–448, § 17, , 102 Stat. 1845; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7403, , 102 Stat. 4484; Pub. L. 112–213, title II, § 217(1), , 126 Stat. 1556; renumbered § 102 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 103(b), title III, § 302, , 132 Stat. 4195, 4243; Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXII, § 7201(j), , 139 Stat. 1686.)