USCG BTM Study Guide Exam
Questions and Answers
Tactical questions - Answer-Without reaching for or grabbing, do you have any
weapons on board? Have you been boarded by the Coast Guard this year? Where are
you going? Did you catch anything today?
Custodial situation - Answer-Depends on whether a reasonable innocent person in the
subject's position would feel a restraint on his or her freedom of movement to such an
extent that it approaches formal arrest. Handcuffing to ensure the safety of the boarding
team or to transport a subject to another agency
Basic initial safety sweep - Answer-To identify any safety hazards is to ensure the
seaworthiness of the vessel being boarded
Scope of a BISS - Answer-Exterior decks, common spaces, bilge areas, Engineering
spaces, cargo or fish holds, other areas of safety concern
Private space - Answer-A reasonable and prudent person would have a reasonable
expectation of privacy. Can enter upon permission, safety concern, or probable cause
Reasonable suspicion - Answer-Belief by a reasonable and prudent person based on
articulable facts, that something has happened
Probable cause - Answer-The level of suspicion that would cause a reasonable and
prudent person, given the overall circumstances, to believe a crime has been or is being
committed
Plain view doctrine - Answer-The rule permitting a law enforcement officer, who is
otherwise lawfully present in the area, to seize an item that is immediately apparent as
evidence
4th Amendment - Answer-Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures
5th Amendment - Answer-Directly in front or behind the subject. Positions 1 & 3Protects
against self incrimination, gives the right to a grand jury and forbids double jeopardy
Extended ISS - Answer-Checking for known weapons, unaccounted for personnel, and
identification of safety hazards
Confined space - Answer-Large enough for a human to enter, limited means for entry or
exit, not designated for continuous human occupancy, possible environmental hazards.
, Confined space policy - Answer-Boarding personnel shall not enter any confined or
enclosed spaces until they have been certified safe for entry by a designated competent
person such as a gas free engineer or person designated by the command
Train tracks - Answer-Directly in front or behind the subject. Positions 1 & 3
Ideal handcuffing position - Answer-Position 2.5
Ideal interview position - Answer-Position 1.5
Reactionary gap - Answer-Typically 4-6 feet. Buffer zone for the safety of the boarding
team member so he/she can react to the subject's movements
Line of fire - Answer-Path between the muzzle of your weapon and its intended target.
Where the bullet is going
Triangulation - Answer-Used to avoid bunching and ensure team members aren't in the
line of fire. Contact and cover officers and the subject
Cover - Answer-Any barricade or structure match made provide protection from enemy
fire
Concealment - Answer-Anything that can hide you from the enemy but will not provide
protection against enemy fire
Personal contact and cover - Answer-Contact: directly engaging the subject through
talking etc. Cover: watching the situation and ready to intervene/ step in. Can switch
people
Fatal funnel - Answer-A dangerous area where the officer is silhouetted against his own
entry point from the vantage point of the enemy inside a space
Hand cuffs - Answer-Steel (nickel, blued, or stainless plating) chain linked, double
locking
Frisk search - Answer-Crushing and passing of the undergarments in search of
weapons
SIA - Answer-Search incident to arrest. Detailed crush and feel of arrested persons
outer garments looking for weapons, evidence and means of escape
What is the policy regarding strip and cavity searches? - Answer-May only be
conducted if there is a reasonable suspicion that there are weapons or means of
escape hidden. A Physician or other qualified person of the same sex must administer it
in a private/ enclosed area.
Questions and Answers
Tactical questions - Answer-Without reaching for or grabbing, do you have any
weapons on board? Have you been boarded by the Coast Guard this year? Where are
you going? Did you catch anything today?
Custodial situation - Answer-Depends on whether a reasonable innocent person in the
subject's position would feel a restraint on his or her freedom of movement to such an
extent that it approaches formal arrest. Handcuffing to ensure the safety of the boarding
team or to transport a subject to another agency
Basic initial safety sweep - Answer-To identify any safety hazards is to ensure the
seaworthiness of the vessel being boarded
Scope of a BISS - Answer-Exterior decks, common spaces, bilge areas, Engineering
spaces, cargo or fish holds, other areas of safety concern
Private space - Answer-A reasonable and prudent person would have a reasonable
expectation of privacy. Can enter upon permission, safety concern, or probable cause
Reasonable suspicion - Answer-Belief by a reasonable and prudent person based on
articulable facts, that something has happened
Probable cause - Answer-The level of suspicion that would cause a reasonable and
prudent person, given the overall circumstances, to believe a crime has been or is being
committed
Plain view doctrine - Answer-The rule permitting a law enforcement officer, who is
otherwise lawfully present in the area, to seize an item that is immediately apparent as
evidence
4th Amendment - Answer-Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures
5th Amendment - Answer-Directly in front or behind the subject. Positions 1 & 3Protects
against self incrimination, gives the right to a grand jury and forbids double jeopardy
Extended ISS - Answer-Checking for known weapons, unaccounted for personnel, and
identification of safety hazards
Confined space - Answer-Large enough for a human to enter, limited means for entry or
exit, not designated for continuous human occupancy, possible environmental hazards.
, Confined space policy - Answer-Boarding personnel shall not enter any confined or
enclosed spaces until they have been certified safe for entry by a designated competent
person such as a gas free engineer or person designated by the command
Train tracks - Answer-Directly in front or behind the subject. Positions 1 & 3
Ideal handcuffing position - Answer-Position 2.5
Ideal interview position - Answer-Position 1.5
Reactionary gap - Answer-Typically 4-6 feet. Buffer zone for the safety of the boarding
team member so he/she can react to the subject's movements
Line of fire - Answer-Path between the muzzle of your weapon and its intended target.
Where the bullet is going
Triangulation - Answer-Used to avoid bunching and ensure team members aren't in the
line of fire. Contact and cover officers and the subject
Cover - Answer-Any barricade or structure match made provide protection from enemy
fire
Concealment - Answer-Anything that can hide you from the enemy but will not provide
protection against enemy fire
Personal contact and cover - Answer-Contact: directly engaging the subject through
talking etc. Cover: watching the situation and ready to intervene/ step in. Can switch
people
Fatal funnel - Answer-A dangerous area where the officer is silhouetted against his own
entry point from the vantage point of the enemy inside a space
Hand cuffs - Answer-Steel (nickel, blued, or stainless plating) chain linked, double
locking
Frisk search - Answer-Crushing and passing of the undergarments in search of
weapons
SIA - Answer-Search incident to arrest. Detailed crush and feel of arrested persons
outer garments looking for weapons, evidence and means of escape
What is the policy regarding strip and cavity searches? - Answer-May only be
conducted if there is a reasonable suspicion that there are weapons or means of
escape hidden. A Physician or other qualified person of the same sex must administer it
in a private/ enclosed area.
