In the case of an emergency disposal at sea, the Cutter/Aircraft commanding officer must report the disposal to whom?

In the event of an emergency disposal at sea, the Cutter or Aircraft commanding officer is required to report the incident to OPCON (Operational Control), ADCON (Administrative Control), and Commandant (CG-7). This is the correct approach because these authorities are responsible for overseeing operational and administrative functions.

OPCON is primarily concerned with the operational tasks and mission readiness, while ADCON handles the administrative aspects, such as personnel and logistics. Commandant (CG-7) refers to the division that manages operational and strategic planning within the Coast Guard, particularly concerning policy and guidelines for missions at sea. This hierarchical reporting structure ensures that all relevant authorities are informed promptly about the disposal, allowing for appropriate follow-up actions, coordination, and safety measures to be taken.

The other options might seem appropriate, but do not encompass the complete and necessary chain of communication required in such situations. For example, reporting solely to a Fleet Commander or the Sector Commander may not adequately cover the operational and administrative aspects required by the incident, and communicating directly to Coast Guard Headquarters might not be practical or timely in an emergency scenario.