How long will a mariner have to wait before the CCG will respond?
The Coast Guard will send out a Maritime Assistance Request Broadcast asking for assistance for the vessel. If there is no response to the broadcast, the Coast Guard will task a vessel to respond. However, if a CCG vessel is tasked to assist a disabled vessel in a non-emergency situation, this vessel will normally complete any other critical mission in which it is currently engaged, such as a fisheries law enforcement operation, before proceeding to the disabled vessel assistance. Mariners may have to wait many hours if there is no immediate danger.
