(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, or otherwise limited by the Commandant, members of the Auxiliary assigned to duty will have the same authority in that duty's execution as a member of the Coast Guard who is assigned to a similar duty.

(b) Members of the Auxiliary are not authorized to engage in direct law enforcement or military missions.

(c) Members of the Auxiliary are not authorized to enforce limited access areas, regulated navigation areas, or special local regulations. Members of the Auxiliary assigned to patrol limited access areas, regulated navigation areas, or areas regulated under special local regulations may advise the public regarding compliance with the limited access area, regulated navigation area, or areas regulated by special local regulations.

Members of the Auxiliary will not be assigned duties until they have been found to be competent to perform such duties and have been designated by authority of the Commandant to perform such duties.

Members and facilities may be assigned to duty by any of the following procedures:

(a) Verbal or written orders issued by competent Coast Guard authority;

(b) The actual performance of an authorized activity or mission by a qualified member of the Auxiliary; or

(c) Other procedures as designated by the Commandant.

(a) The Commandant will prescribe, through the Coast Guard Auxiliary directives referenced in § 5.9, the type of training, qualifications, and examinations required before a member of the Auxiliary will be deemed qualified to perform certain duties, and will prescribe the circumstances and manner in which members of the Auxiliary will be authorized to perform regular and emergency duties.

(b) The Commandant may authorize members of the Auxiliary to pursue correspondence courses and distance-learning courses conducted by the Coast Guard Education and Training Quota Management Command or other authorized Coast Guard providers and to attend other courses and training available to members of the Coast Guard or Coast Guard Reserve.