About CG-612 Directives and Publications Division

Washington, DC

General Information

The online US Coast Guard Directives (CGDS) contains ALL unclassified and non-for-official-use-only (non-FOUO) Coast Guard Instructions, Manuals, and Notices, provided in real-time. The files are in Portable Document Format (PDF), and can be accessed using Adobe Acrobat Reader software version 6.0 or higher.

For your convenience, links to the Adobe Acrobat Reader are available from the "Download Plugins" link at the bottom of the page. Adobe Acrobat Reader software will allow you to view, search, and print the documents.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines for the implementation of The Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA) require federal agencies to allow individuals or entities the option of transacting business electronically when practicable. The act specifically states that electronic records and their related signatures are not to be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability merely because they are in electronic form. Adobe Acrobat meets GPEA requirements. Special attention is directed in an attempt to make all documents compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, http://www.section508.gov.

On-Line Help

On the Standard Workstation, Adobe Acrobat On-line help is available. This will explain the various menu functions and tools contained in the search and retrieval software. To view online help, select "Help" in the menu bar at the top of the screen.

For assistance, questions or suggestions on the US Coast Guard Directives, send email to:
hqs-smb-directives@uscg.mil

Or call the Office of Information Management (CG-61) at: (202) 475-3533 or (202) 475-3531.