JP 3-50 National Search and Rescue Manual Vol I - US Navy

Their sustained operational capability, especially when they
are paired with a SAR helicopter, makes them ideal SRUs.
Patrol boats, 80 to 110 feet in length, are capable of
sustained operations for 4 days, and usually have surface
search radar and DF.
3. Boats ranging up to 65 feet in length. The 30- and 41-foot
utility boats and 30- and 44-foot motor lifeboats are
especially designed for short-range SAR operations. They are
excellent for water rescue and can be used for search. The
44-foot motor lifeboats have surface search radar, DF, and
LORAN C and are self-righting and self-bailing in severe
weather or surf. The 52-foot motor lifeboat has the same
capability.
4. Stations, located along the coastlines of the United States,
on the shores of the Great Lakes, and on some of the major
river systems. They are equipped with various types of SAR
boats, four-wheel-drive vehicles, direct communications links
with an RCC, and, in some cases, amphibious vehicles or
helicopters. A primary purpose of these stations is to obtain
early information of life and property in danger within the
operational range of station SRUs and take immediate action to
assist. These stations also supervise SAR land parties,
usually limited to shoreline or beach areas.
5. Groups, consisting of two or more SAR stations and sometimes
including WPBs and a Coast Guard Air Station (CGAS). Group
commands are an operational level, designed to coordinate SRU
efforts, between the Coast Guard District Commanders and Coast
Guard stations.
6. Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGAUX), a volunteer civilian
organization formed to assist the Coast Guard in preventive
and direct SAR activities, consisting of smallboat, yacht,
aircraft, or amateur radio station owners, or persons with
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