Commandant
United States Coast Guard
2100 Second Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Staff Symbol: G-MOC-2
Phone: (202) 267-1406
Fax: (202) 267-0506
COMDTINST 16711.1
31 JANUARY 2003
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 16711.1
Subj:
COAST GUARD PASSENGER VESSEL SAFETY, PREVENTION AND MASS RESCUE
OPERATIONS PROGRAM
1. PURPOSE. This Instruction describes the objectives and scope of the Passenger Vessel Safety,
Prevention, and Mass Rescue Operation Program and the functional descriptions and responsibilities of
Marine Safety and Operations program elements of the Coast Guard organization.
2. ACTION. Headquarters Program Managers, Area and District Commanders, Commanding Officers of
Marine Safety Offices and Activities/Group Commanders will adhere to the contents of this Instruction.
Internet release authorized.
3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None.
4. POLLUTION PREVENTION (P2) CONSIDERATIONS. Pollution prevention considerations were
examined in the development of this directive and have been determined not to be applicable.
5. DISCUSSION. Congress authorized twenty-two permanent billets starting FY02 for the Coast Guard's
Passenger Vessel Safety Program. The billets are assigned according to Enclosure (1). The objective
of the program is to enable the response community (Coast Guard, other Federal, State, and local
agencies, as well as industry and other stake holders) to have processes and procedures to prevent, or if
necessary, to respond to and mitigate a passenger vessel emergency, taking into account all available
resources. A Mass Rescue Operation (MRO) is a civil search and rescue activity characterized by the
need for immediate assistance to a large number of persons in distress, such that the capabilities
normally available to search and rescue authorities are inadequate. A passenger vessel incident could
lead to a MRO. MRO scenarios include responses to both man-made and natural incidents such as
hurricanes, heavy flooding and earthquakes. Detailed program objectives are discussed in Enclosure (2).
DISTRIBUTION SDL No. 140
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