What must be displayed prominently after a TACON shift to Coast Guard control?

When a Tactical Control (TACON) shift occurs to Coast Guard control, it is crucial to display the Coast Guard ensign prominently. This act signifies the authority and jurisdiction of the Coast Guard in the operational area. The visibility of the Coast Guard ensign demonstrates that the responsibilities for maritime law enforcement and safety have transferred to the Coast Guard, establishing their presence and authority in that region.

Displaying the Coast Guard ensign helps to maintain clarity in command and control, ensuring all vessels and personnel in the vicinity recognize which agency is currently in charge. This is vital for effective communication and coordination during operations, particularly in scenarios involving multiple agencies.

In contrast, the other options involve elements that do not specifically represent the Coast Guard’s operational authority in the same context. The national flags of coastal states, while important for sovereignty, do not indicate a command shift. The JIATF standard is associated with joint interagency task forces and may not be relevant in the immediate context of visible authority at sea. A distress signal is used for emergencies and does not pertain to the indication of control transfer. Hence, prominently displaying the Coast Guard ensign is essential in this context for operational clarity and legal authority.