Coxswain Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
U.S. Code general salvage title 14 sections 2, 88, and 141 - Correct answer-
Statutory authoriry for the Coast guard to conduct SAR
The code staes that the CG shall develop, establish, maintain and operate SAR
facilities and may render aid to distressed persons and protect and save property on
and under the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S.
Primary concern in SAR - Correct answer-Proper, timely and effective assitance is
provided ;it is always a CG priority to remove people from danger
Firefighting policy - Correct answer-Chapter 4 section 4.4 SAR ADDENDUM
Saving lives, then property
1. In support of a regular firefighting agency
2. Under supervision of a qualified fire officer
3. Except to save a life or in the early sages of a fire to avert significant threat
without undue risk
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Fires unboard CG vessels - Correct answer-CG personnel shall be prepared for and
respond to fires onboard CG vessels
Indepent firefighting - Correct answer-Shall not engage in independent firefighting
operations , except to save a life or in the early stages of a fire to avert significant
threat without undue risk
Fires, commerical vessels and waterfront facilities - Correct answer-Coast guard
personnel shall not actively engage in firefighting except in support of a regular
firefighting agency under the supervision of a qualified fire officer.
Flare sighting policy part 1 - Correct answer-Issue a UMIB
Flare sighting policy part 2 - Correct answer-Reported sightings of red/orange
flares must be treated as distress situations unless sufficient other available
information indicates no distress exists.
Flare sighting policy part 3 - Correct answer-The sighting information shall be
recorded in an appropriate log where it will be available in the event that additional
information becomes available that a distress incident may have occurred in the
area near the time of the sighting
Flares sighting policy part 4 - Correct answer-Ongoing red and orange flare
sightings require a first light search
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, Coxswain NAV standard responsibility - Correct answer-COMDTINST M3530.2C
CG navigation standards
5-1-4 - Correct answer-Authority of a senior officer present
Coxswain NAV standards responsibilities 1 - Correct answer-Ultimate
responsibility for the safety of the boat and crew (including safe navigation) rests
with the coxswain
COMDTINST M3530.2C CG
Coxswain NAV standards responsibilities 2 - Correct answer-Coxswains shall
permanently mark their paper charts with standard track lines, courses, and turn
bearings along established routes and waypoints.
COMDTINST M3530.2C CG
Coxswain NAV standards responsibilities 3 - Correct answer-Coxswains shall
ensure paper and electronic charts are up to date
COMDTINST M3530.2C CG
Coxswain NAV standards responsibilities 4 - Correct answer-The coxswain must
know the advantages and limitations of all electronic navigation equipment
available. The coxswain should become proficient with those onboard tools that act
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
Answers
U.S. Code general salvage title 14 sections 2, 88, and 141 - Correct answer-
Statutory authoriry for the Coast guard to conduct SAR
The code staes that the CG shall develop, establish, maintain and operate SAR
facilities and may render aid to distressed persons and protect and save property on
and under the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S.
Primary concern in SAR - Correct answer-Proper, timely and effective assitance is
provided ;it is always a CG priority to remove people from danger
Firefighting policy - Correct answer-Chapter 4 section 4.4 SAR ADDENDUM
Saving lives, then property
1. In support of a regular firefighting agency
2. Under supervision of a qualified fire officer
3. Except to save a life or in the early sages of a fire to avert significant threat
without undue risk
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Fires unboard CG vessels - Correct answer-CG personnel shall be prepared for and
respond to fires onboard CG vessels
Indepent firefighting - Correct answer-Shall not engage in independent firefighting
operations , except to save a life or in the early stages of a fire to avert significant
threat without undue risk
Fires, commerical vessels and waterfront facilities - Correct answer-Coast guard
personnel shall not actively engage in firefighting except in support of a regular
firefighting agency under the supervision of a qualified fire officer.
Flare sighting policy part 1 - Correct answer-Issue a UMIB
Flare sighting policy part 2 - Correct answer-Reported sightings of red/orange
flares must be treated as distress situations unless sufficient other available
information indicates no distress exists.
Flare sighting policy part 3 - Correct answer-The sighting information shall be
recorded in an appropriate log where it will be available in the event that additional
information becomes available that a distress incident may have occurred in the
area near the time of the sighting
Flares sighting policy part 4 - Correct answer-Ongoing red and orange flare
sightings require a first light search
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, Coxswain NAV standard responsibility - Correct answer-COMDTINST M3530.2C
CG navigation standards
5-1-4 - Correct answer-Authority of a senior officer present
Coxswain NAV standards responsibilities 1 - Correct answer-Ultimate
responsibility for the safety of the boat and crew (including safe navigation) rests
with the coxswain
COMDTINST M3530.2C CG
Coxswain NAV standards responsibilities 2 - Correct answer-Coxswains shall
permanently mark their paper charts with standard track lines, courses, and turn
bearings along established routes and waypoints.
COMDTINST M3530.2C CG
Coxswain NAV standards responsibilities 3 - Correct answer-Coxswains shall
ensure paper and electronic charts are up to date
COMDTINST M3530.2C CG
Coxswain NAV standards responsibilities 4 - Correct answer-The coxswain must
know the advantages and limitations of all electronic navigation equipment
available. The coxswain should become proficient with those onboard tools that act
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
