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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 676. 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) Sense of Congress. - 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) Definition. - 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.
(d) Report to Congress. - The Secretary shall provide a quarterly
written report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, describing the status of
implementation of the standards described in subsection (b),
including a list of the facilities at which such standards have or
have not been implemented.
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