USCG BTM QUIZ QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
What is the Transit Passage exception? - Answer-Right of Non-Interference of a vessel
transiting through the territorial sea of a nation that comprises an international strait
used for navigation between areas of international waters
What is deemed a "Non-Innocent" Passage? - Answer-A passage shall be considered
non-innocent if it involves any of the following activities:
-Any threat of force against sovereignty
-Any exercise or practice with weapons
-Any act aimed at collecting information to the prejudice of the defense or security
-Any act of propaganda aimed at affecting the defense or security
-The launching, landing or taking onboard any aircraft
-The launching, landing or taking onboard any military device
-the loading or unloading of any commodity, currency or person contrary to FISC laws
-Any act of willful and serious pollution
-Any fishing activities
-Carrying out research or surveys
-Attempts to interfere with communication or other facilities or installations
-Any other activity not having a direct bearing on passage
What is the Force Majeure exception? - Answer-When a vessel is forced into a coastal
state by virtue of distress, whether brought about by natural or man made causes
What is the Hot Pursuit Exception? - Answer-Allows a coastal state to preserve the
jurisdiction to take LE action against a foreign flagged vessel that flees beyond normal
jurisdictional limits after it has committed a violation of the Coast state's laws.
What is the Constructive Presence exception? - Answer-Allows a coastal state to
exercise jurisdiction over a vessel that is constructively present within its coastal zone of
jurisdiction. "Mothership" concept.
What is the Flag State Authorization exception? - Answer-The flag state may authorize
LE actions by any other nation over vessels flying its flag in international waters or its
own territorial seas.
What is the Consensual Boarding exception? - Answer-A boarding conducted solely
with the consent of the master/person in charge of a vessel not subject to the
jurisdiction of the U.S. Such boardings are non-jurisdictional in nature; no enforcement
action whatsoever may be taken while aboard a vessel solely on a consensual
boarding.
, What is the definition of Location? - Answer-The character of the waters in which the
vessel is located
Different Locations - Answer-Baseline
Internal Waters
U.S. Sea Border
Territorial Seas
Customs Border
Contiguous Zone
Exclusive Economic Zone
International Waters
High Seas
Baseline - Answer-The low waterline along the coast
Internal Waters - Answer-Shoreward of the baseline
U.S. Sea Border - Answer-3 NM From the baseline, with the exception of Texas and the
gulf side of Florida
Territorial Seas - Answer-12 NM seaward from the baseline
Customs Border - Answer-12 NM shoreward to include internal waters
Contiguous Zone - Answer-Between 12 and 24 nautical miles from shore, a state may
enforce Fiscal, Immigration, Sanitation and Customs laws (FISC)
Exclusive Economic Zone - Answer-200 NM offshore from Baseline
International Waters - Answer-Waters seaward of the outer limit of the territorial sea of
any nation but encompassing the high seas, EEZ and contiguous zone.
High Seas - Answer-All remaining ocean beyond the EEZ, to which all states have
equal access. If a coastal state doesn't have an EEZ, the High Seas begin at the
seaward edge of the territorial sea.
What is the definition of a Vessel? - Answer-Every description of watercraft or
contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation in water.
4 types of vessels - Answer--Warship
-Government Owned/Non-Commercial
-Recreational
-Commercial
What is the definition of a Warship? - Answer-A vessel that belongs to the armed forces
of a nation and bears the external marks distinguishing warships of its nationality, under
ANSWERS
What is the Transit Passage exception? - Answer-Right of Non-Interference of a vessel
transiting through the territorial sea of a nation that comprises an international strait
used for navigation between areas of international waters
What is deemed a "Non-Innocent" Passage? - Answer-A passage shall be considered
non-innocent if it involves any of the following activities:
-Any threat of force against sovereignty
-Any exercise or practice with weapons
-Any act aimed at collecting information to the prejudice of the defense or security
-Any act of propaganda aimed at affecting the defense or security
-The launching, landing or taking onboard any aircraft
-The launching, landing or taking onboard any military device
-the loading or unloading of any commodity, currency or person contrary to FISC laws
-Any act of willful and serious pollution
-Any fishing activities
-Carrying out research or surveys
-Attempts to interfere with communication or other facilities or installations
-Any other activity not having a direct bearing on passage
What is the Force Majeure exception? - Answer-When a vessel is forced into a coastal
state by virtue of distress, whether brought about by natural or man made causes
What is the Hot Pursuit Exception? - Answer-Allows a coastal state to preserve the
jurisdiction to take LE action against a foreign flagged vessel that flees beyond normal
jurisdictional limits after it has committed a violation of the Coast state's laws.
What is the Constructive Presence exception? - Answer-Allows a coastal state to
exercise jurisdiction over a vessel that is constructively present within its coastal zone of
jurisdiction. "Mothership" concept.
What is the Flag State Authorization exception? - Answer-The flag state may authorize
LE actions by any other nation over vessels flying its flag in international waters or its
own territorial seas.
What is the Consensual Boarding exception? - Answer-A boarding conducted solely
with the consent of the master/person in charge of a vessel not subject to the
jurisdiction of the U.S. Such boardings are non-jurisdictional in nature; no enforcement
action whatsoever may be taken while aboard a vessel solely on a consensual
boarding.
, What is the definition of Location? - Answer-The character of the waters in which the
vessel is located
Different Locations - Answer-Baseline
Internal Waters
U.S. Sea Border
Territorial Seas
Customs Border
Contiguous Zone
Exclusive Economic Zone
International Waters
High Seas
Baseline - Answer-The low waterline along the coast
Internal Waters - Answer-Shoreward of the baseline
U.S. Sea Border - Answer-3 NM From the baseline, with the exception of Texas and the
gulf side of Florida
Territorial Seas - Answer-12 NM seaward from the baseline
Customs Border - Answer-12 NM shoreward to include internal waters
Contiguous Zone - Answer-Between 12 and 24 nautical miles from shore, a state may
enforce Fiscal, Immigration, Sanitation and Customs laws (FISC)
Exclusive Economic Zone - Answer-200 NM offshore from Baseline
International Waters - Answer-Waters seaward of the outer limit of the territorial sea of
any nation but encompassing the high seas, EEZ and contiguous zone.
High Seas - Answer-All remaining ocean beyond the EEZ, to which all states have
equal access. If a coastal state doesn't have an EEZ, the High Seas begin at the
seaward edge of the territorial sea.
What is the definition of a Vessel? - Answer-Every description of watercraft or
contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation in water.
4 types of vessels - Answer--Warship
-Government Owned/Non-Commercial
-Recreational
-Commercial
What is the definition of a Warship? - Answer-A vessel that belongs to the armed forces
of a nation and bears the external marks distinguishing warships of its nationality, under
