(a) The structure of the Coast Guard's general organization for the performance of its assigned functions and duties consists of the Commandant, assisted by the Headquarters staff, two Area Offices to act as intermediate echelons of operational command, and District Offices to provide regional direction and coordination. The District Offices operate within defined geographical areas of the United States, its territories, and possessions, including portions of the high seas adjacent thereto. The description of the districts is established by the Commandant under the authority delegated by 49 CFR 1.45 and 1.46.

(b) The two Coast Guard Areas are the Atlantic Area (see § 3.04-1) and the Pacific Area (see § 3.04-3). The Coast Guard Area Commander is in command of a Coast Guard Area; the offices are referred to as a Coast Guard Area Office. The office of the Commander, Atlantic Area, is located in the Fifth Coast Guard District and the Commander, Atlantic Area, also serves as the Fifth District Commander. The office of the Commander, Pacific Area, is located in the Eleventh Coast Guard District and the Commander, Pacific Area, also serves as the Eleventh District Commander. Area Commanders have the responsibility of determining when operational matters require the coordination of forces and facilities of more than one district.

(c) The Coast Guard District Commander is in command of a Coast Guard District and his office may be referred to as a Coast Guard District Office. (See § 1.01-1 of this subchapter.)

(d) An Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, is in command of a Marine Inspection Zone and his office may be referred to as a Coast Guard Marine Inspection Office. (See § 1.01-20 of this subchapter.)

(e) The Captain of the Port is in command of a Captain of the Port Area and his office may be referred to as a Captain of the Port Office. (See § 1.01-30 of this subchapter.)

(f) Each Captain of the Port Area and each Marine Inspection Zone described in this part also includes the United States territorial seas adjacent to the described Area or Zone for the purpose of enforcing or acting pursuant to a statute effective in the United States territorial seas. Each Captain of the Port Area and each Marine Inspection Zone described in this part also includes the Contiguous Zone adjacent to the Area or Zone for the purpose of enforcing or acting pursuant to a statute effective in the Contiguous Zone. (See Secs. 2.05-5 and 2.05-15.) Each Captain of the Port Zone and each Marine Inspection Zone described in this part also includes the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to the area for the purpose of enforcing or acting pursuant to a statute effective in the EEZ.

(g) Geographic coordinates expressed in terms of latitude or longitude, or both, are not intended for plotting on maps or charts whose referenced horizontal datum is the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83), unless such geographic coordinates are expressly labeled NAD 83. Geographic coordinates without the NAD 83 reference may be plotted on maps or charts referenced to NAD 83 only after application of the appropriate corrections that are published on the particular map or chart being used.

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§ 3.01-5 Assignment of functions.

Sections 1.45 and 1.46 of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, authorize the Commandant of the Coast Guard to exercise certain functions, powers, and duties vested in the Secretary of Transportation by law. The general statements of policy in the rules describing Coast Guard organization are prescribed pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552 (80 Stat. 383, as amended) and 14 U.S.C. 633 (63 Stat. 545).

Subpart 3.04--Coast Guard Areas

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§ 3.04-1 Atlantic Area.

(a) The Area Office is in Portsmouth, VA.

(b) The Atlantic Area is comprised of the land areas and U.S. navigable waters of the First, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Coast Guard Districts and the ocean areas lying east of a line extending from the North Pole south along 95° W. longitude to the North American land mass; thence along the east coast of the North, Central, and South American land mass to the intersection with 70° W. longitude; thence due south to the South Pole. These waters extend east to the Eastern Hemisphere dividing line between the Atlantic and Pacific Areas which lies along a line extending from the North Pole south along 100° E. longitude to the Asian land mass and along a line extending from the South Pole north along 17° E. longitude to the African land mass.

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§ 3.04-3 Pacific Area.

(a) The Area Office is in Alameda, CA.

(b) The Pacific Area is comprised of the land areas and the U.S. navigable waters of the Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Seventeenth Coast Guard Districts and the ocean areas lying west of a line extending from the North Pole south along 95° W. longitude to the North American land mass; thence along the west coast of the North, Central, and South American land mass to the intersection with 70° W. longitude; thence due south to the South Pole. These waters extend west to the Eastern Hemisphere dividing line between the Atlantic and Pacific Areas which lies along a line extending from the North Pole south along 100° E. longitude to the Asian land mass and along a line extending from the South Pole north along 17° E. longitude to the African land mass.

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