ALCOAST 037/26 - FEB 2026 S+ PUBLICATION - COMDTINST 16130.2I & PROMULGATION OF SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR) TRAINING AND COMPETENCY MANAGEMENT

R 032016Z FEB 26 MID320018515482U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 037/26
SSIC 16101
SUBJ: S+ PUBLICATION - COMDTINST 16130.2I & PROMULGATION OF SEARCH
AND RESCUE (SAR) TRAINING AND COMPETENCY MANAGEMENT
A. The U.S. Coast Guard Addendum to the United States National
Search and Rescue Supplement (NSS) to the International
Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR),
COMDTINST 16130.2I
B. Search and Rescue (SAR) Training and Competency Management,
COMDTINST 16101.2
C. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 101818Z DEC 24/ALCOAST 459/24
1. This ALCOAST announces an S+ publication update to REF (A) and
promulgates REF (B) to enhance Coast Guard search and rescue
operations.
2. REF (A) Updates: As part of a broader SAR Policy modernization
effort anticipated to conclude in July 2026, REF (A) is an interim
revision of the CG Addendum that eliminates outdated policy and
removes policy that is now published in REF (B). Crucially, in
alignment with Force Design 28 intent to delegate operational
authority down to appropriate levels to enhance mission
effectiveness, this update empowers Operational Commanders and their
SAR Mission Coordinators (SMC) to make key SAR determinations based
on their critical assessment of the totality of the circumstances
of a situation. Under REF (A), and informed by decades of
experience, Coast Guard service-level SAR policy will no longer
automatically couple the emergency phase classification to the form
of notification, alert, or request for assistance. A detailed
summary of changes is included in REF (A) and below is an overview
of these changes.
    a. The phrase "distress notification and/or broadcast" is changed
to "emergency notification and/or broadcast," where appropriate to
avoid presupposing distress based exclusively upon the form of
notification.
    b. Directing that all emergency notifications be promptly
evaluated and assigned the appropriate emergency phase
classification based on the totality of the circumstances for each
situation.
    c. All statements presuming a distress classification to the
effect of, "..shall assume distress," are revised to "..shall
evaluate and determine the appropriate emergency phase."
    d. Outdated foundational and instructional content has been
deleted.
    e. Current foundational and instructional content has been
relocated to the COMDT (CG-SAR) Portal link located in paragraph 5
of this message.
3. REF (B) Promulgation: REF (B) replaces the training and
competency policy, standards, and professional requirements in
REF (A), introduces the SAR Mission Manager (SMM) competency, and
aligns SAR training and competency management with Office of Shore
Forces framework. Key policy includes:
    a. REF (B) applies to all Coast Guard personnel assigned to
Areas, Districts, and Sectors that plan and coordinate SAR responses
including Officials with Active Search Suspension (ACTSUS), SMCs,
SMMs, and CG SAR Units.
    b. The SMM competency may be applied uniquely (i.e. as a
standalone watch position) or may be applied as a component of other
Command Center watch qualifications (Operations Unit Controller
(OUC) and/or Command Duty Officer (CDO)). The SMM Personal
Qualification Standard (PQS) can be found on the COMDT (CG-SAR)
Portal site link located in paragraph 4 of this message.
    c. All military members and civilian personnel who hold a current
designation as OU or CDO will be considered legacy SAR Watchstanders
and automatically assigned the SMM competency based on their current
qualification: OU-SMM or CDO-SMM.
    d. All legacy SAR Watchstanders assigned to SMM competency per
paragraph 3.C above must complete all requirements in REF (B) upon
transfer to a new unit or within three years of this ALCOAST to
retain the SMM competency.
    e. All military members and civilian personnel not currently
qualified upon release of this message will be required to complete
all requirements contained in REF (B) to obtain the SMM competency.
    f. Currency requirements previously waived by REF (C) are
reinstated. All SMMs and SMCs must comply with the Proficiency
Currency requirements outlined in REF (B) by 30SEP2026.
4. COMDT (CG-SAR) Portal Link:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cgsar/SitePages/CG-SAR-
Policy.aspx

5. Labor obligations are to be satisfied prior to implementing any
associated changes for bargaining unit employees.
6. POC: LCDR Michael Thompson, COMDT (CG-SAR);
HQS-DG-lst-CG-SAR-1@uscg.mil.
7. RADM M. M. Dean, Assistant Commandant for Operations Integration
and Response Policy (CG-3/5R), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.