General Salvage Policy

It is important for Auxiliarists to know where the Towing Policy ends and the General Salvage Policy begins. It is important for a number of reasons including marking the point of finding yourself outside the ‘scope of employment’ with all of the possible ramifications if things go wrong.

**Remember – just because a vessel is aground does not make it a SAR case. While it can be inconvenient and costly to the owner/operator it is often not life threatening to anyone onboard. That would make your assistance salvage rather than rescue. It isn’t that the Auxiliary can’t conduct these types of assistance, but it must be done within strict guidelines and the clear approval of the responsible OIA.

All of our surface forces should be familiar with the U.S.C.G. SAR Addendum (CIM16130.2). Chapter 4 covers the Coast Guards General SAR Policies. It spells out what we can all do for towing, salvage, and even providing navigational assistance for mariners.

“When no commercial salvage facilities are on scene, Coast Guard units should only engage in salvage other than towing when limited salvage operations (e.g., ungrounding, pumping, damage control measures, etc.) can prevent a worsening situation or complete loss of the vessel. Any salvage operations shall be performed at the discretion of the unit CO/OINC.”

There are things you can do to help as soon as you arrive on scene and assess the situation that are considered prudent actions. Allowing the next tide to refloat the vessel, helping the mariner set anchors, evacuating the passengers, and helping the mariner determine the vessel’s seaworthiness.

The CO/OINC and the District Commander do have the authority to modify certain policies as a situation and degree of danger (the ‘Ten Factor’) dictates but they can’t modify or otherwise permit something they know nothing about. Prompt communication with the local station or OIA before engaging in what the Coast Guard defines as ‘General Salvage’ can’t be stressed enough.