§ 911. Search and rescue center standards

• (a) The Secretary shall establish, implement, and maintain the minimum standards necessary for the safe operation of all Coast Guard search and rescue center facilities, including with respect to the following:
  • (1) The lighting, acoustics, and temperature in the facilities.
  • (2) The number of individuals on a shift in the facility assigned search and rescue responsibilities (including communications), which may be adjusted based on seasonal workload.
  • (3) The length of time an individual may serve on watch to minimize fatigue, based on the best scientific information available.
  • (4) The scheduling of individuals having search and rescue responsibilities to minimize fatigue of the individual when on duty in the facility.
  • (5) The workload of each individual engaged in search and rescue responsibilities in the facility.
  • (6) Stress management for the individuals assigned search and rescue responsibilities in the facilities.
  • (7) The design of equipment and facilities to minimize fatigue and enhance search and rescue operations.
  • (8) The acquisition and maintenance of interim search and rescue command center communications equipment.
  • (9) Any other requirements that the Secretary believes will increase the safe operation of the search and rescue centers.
• (b) It is the sense of the Congress that the Secretary should establish, implement, and maintain minimum standards necessary to ensure that an individual on duty or watch in a Coast Guard search and rescue command center facility does not work more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period, except in an emergency or unforeseen circumstances.
• (c) For the purposes of this section, the term “search and rescue center facility” means a Coast Guard shore facility that maintains a search and rescue mission coordination and communications watch.