124 STAT. 2915 PUBLIC LAW 111–281—OCT. 15, 2010 (3) in section 259(a), by inserting after ‘‘whom the board’’ the following: ‘‘, giving due consideration to the needs of the Coast Guard for officers with particular skills so noted in specific direction furnished to the board by the Secretary under section 258 of this title,’’; and (4) in section 260(b), by inserting after ‘‘qualified for pro- motion’’ the following: ‘‘to meet the needs of the service (as noted in specific direction furnished the board by the Secretary under section 258 of this title)’’. SEC. 213. COAST GUARD VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT. (a) AUTHORITY TO FIRE ATORINTO A VESSEL.—Section 637(c) of title 14, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(3) any other vessel or aircraft on government noncommer- cial service when— ‘‘(A) the vessel or aircraft is under the tactical control of the Coast Guard; and ‘‘(B) at least one member of the Coast Guard is assigned and conducting a Coast Guard mission on the vessel or aircraft.’’. (b) AUTHORITY TO DISPLAY COAST GUARD ENSIGNS AND PEN- NANTS.—Section 638(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Coast Guard vessels and aircraft’’ and inserting ‘‘Ves- sels and aircraft authorized by the Secretary’’. SEC. 214. COAST GUARD DISTRICT OMBUDSMEN. (a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ‘‘§ 55. District Ombudsmen ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commandant shall appoint in each Coast Guard District a District Ombudsman to serve as a liaison between ports, terminal operators, shipowners, and labor represent- atives and the Coast Guard. ‘‘(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the District Ombudsman shall be the following: ‘‘(1) To support the operations of the Coast Guard in each port in the District for which the District Ombudsman is appointed. ‘‘(2) To improve communications between and among port stakeholders including, port and terminal operators, ship owners, labor representatives, and the Coast Guard. ‘‘(3) To seek to resolve disputes between the Coast Guard and all petitioners regarding requirements imposed or services provided by the Coast Guard. ‘‘(c) FUNCTIONS.— ‘‘(1) COMPLAINTS.—The District Ombudsman may examine complaints brought to the attention of the District Ombudsman by a petitioner operating in a port or by Coast Guard personnel. ‘‘(2) GUIDELINES FOR DISPUTES.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The District Ombudsman shall develop guidelines regarding the types of disputes with Appointment.
