14 U.S.C. § 102 — Primary duties

This section defines the Coast Guard's mission categories and lists its primary duties. (a) Definitions. (1) "Non-homeland security missions" means: (A) marine safety; (B) search and rescue; (C) aids to navigation; (D) living marine resources, meaning fisheries law enforcement; (E) marine environmental protection; and (F) ice operations. (2) "Homeland security missions" means: (A) ports, waterways, and coastal security; (B) drug interdiction; (C) migrant interdiction; (D) defense readiness; and (E) other law enforcement. (b) Primary Duties. The Coast Guard must: (1) enforce, or help enforce, all applicable federal laws on, under, and over the high seas and waters under U.S. jurisdiction; (2) carry out maritime air surveillance or interdiction to enforce U.S. laws; (3) run laws and make and enforce regulations to promote safety of life and property on and under the high seas and U.S. waters, in any area not specifically assigned by law to another agency; (4) develop, set up, maintain, and run — with due regard for national defense needs — aids to maritime navigation, icebreaking facilities, and rescue facilities to promote safety on, under, and over the high seas and U.S. waters; (5) under international agreements, develop, set up, maintain, and run icebreaking facilities in other waters, not just the high seas and U.S. waters; (6) conduct oceanographic research of the high seas and U.S. waters; and (7) stay ready to help defend the United States, including by acting as a specialized service within the Navy under section 103.