USCG BTM UPDATED Exam Questions
and CORRECT Answers
Define Authority - CORRECT ANSWER - Authority is the government's legal power to act.
What are the 5 fundamental sources of the Coast Guard's authority? - CORRECT ANSWER -
MLE
Customs
PWCS
Assistance
CGIS
Define 14 USC 522 - P1 - CORRECT ANSWER - The Coast Guard may make inquiries,
examinations, searches, seizures, and arrests upon the high seas and waters over which the
United States has jurisdiction, for the prevention, detection, and suppression of violations of the
laws of the United States.
Define 14 USC 522 - P2 - CORRECT ANSWER - For such purposes, commissioned, warrant,
and petty officers may at any time go on board any vessel subject to the jurisdiction or to the
operation of any law of the United States, address inquires to those on board, examine the ship's
documents and papers, and examine, inspect, and search the vessel, and use all necessary force to
compel compliance
14 USC 522 - P3 - CORRECT ANSWER - When from such inquires, examination,
inspection, or search it appears that a breach of the laws of the United States rendering a person
liable to arrest is being, or has been committed by any person, such person shall be arrested or, if
escaping to shore, shall be immediately pursued and arrested on shore, or other lawful and
appropriate action shall be taken.
14 USC 522 - P4 - CORRECT ANSWER - Or, if it shall appear that a breach of the laws of
the United States has been committed so as to render such vessel, or merchandise, or any part
thereof, on board of, or brought into the United States by, such vessel, liable to forfeiture, or so
, as to render such vessel liable to a fine or penalty and if necessary to secure such fine or penalty,
such vessel or such merchandise, or both, shall be seized.
Define Jurisdiction - CORRECT ANSWER - The government's right to exercise legal
authority over its persons, vessels, and territory.
What is the jurisdictional triangle? - CORRECT ANSWER - Substantive law, Vessel/Flag
Status, Location
Define substantive law - CORRECT ANSWER - A substantive law is one that prohibits
certain action or requires affirmative conduct.
What are the 8 categories of laws most commonly enforced by the USCG? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Drug enforcement, immigration, fisheries, protected areas and species,
environmental and pollution laws, PWCS, vessel safety, general criminal
What are the categories of vessel flag/status? - CORRECT ANSWER - US, foreign, vessel
without nationality, vessel assimilated to one without nationality
Define location - CORRECT ANSWER - The allowable extent of US jurisdiction over
persons, vessels, and aircraft is determined by the character of the waters in or over which they
are located.
Customs waters - CORRECT ANSWER - Internal waters-12NM
Territorial Sea - CORRECT ANSWER - Baseline to 12NM
Contiguous Zone - CORRECT ANSWER - 12NM to 24NM
International Waters - CORRECT ANSWER - 12NM to Foreign territorial sea
and CORRECT Answers
Define Authority - CORRECT ANSWER - Authority is the government's legal power to act.
What are the 5 fundamental sources of the Coast Guard's authority? - CORRECT ANSWER -
MLE
Customs
PWCS
Assistance
CGIS
Define 14 USC 522 - P1 - CORRECT ANSWER - The Coast Guard may make inquiries,
examinations, searches, seizures, and arrests upon the high seas and waters over which the
United States has jurisdiction, for the prevention, detection, and suppression of violations of the
laws of the United States.
Define 14 USC 522 - P2 - CORRECT ANSWER - For such purposes, commissioned, warrant,
and petty officers may at any time go on board any vessel subject to the jurisdiction or to the
operation of any law of the United States, address inquires to those on board, examine the ship's
documents and papers, and examine, inspect, and search the vessel, and use all necessary force to
compel compliance
14 USC 522 - P3 - CORRECT ANSWER - When from such inquires, examination,
inspection, or search it appears that a breach of the laws of the United States rendering a person
liable to arrest is being, or has been committed by any person, such person shall be arrested or, if
escaping to shore, shall be immediately pursued and arrested on shore, or other lawful and
appropriate action shall be taken.
14 USC 522 - P4 - CORRECT ANSWER - Or, if it shall appear that a breach of the laws of
the United States has been committed so as to render such vessel, or merchandise, or any part
thereof, on board of, or brought into the United States by, such vessel, liable to forfeiture, or so
, as to render such vessel liable to a fine or penalty and if necessary to secure such fine or penalty,
such vessel or such merchandise, or both, shall be seized.
Define Jurisdiction - CORRECT ANSWER - The government's right to exercise legal
authority over its persons, vessels, and territory.
What is the jurisdictional triangle? - CORRECT ANSWER - Substantive law, Vessel/Flag
Status, Location
Define substantive law - CORRECT ANSWER - A substantive law is one that prohibits
certain action or requires affirmative conduct.
What are the 8 categories of laws most commonly enforced by the USCG? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Drug enforcement, immigration, fisheries, protected areas and species,
environmental and pollution laws, PWCS, vessel safety, general criminal
What are the categories of vessel flag/status? - CORRECT ANSWER - US, foreign, vessel
without nationality, vessel assimilated to one without nationality
Define location - CORRECT ANSWER - The allowable extent of US jurisdiction over
persons, vessels, and aircraft is determined by the character of the waters in or over which they
are located.
Customs waters - CORRECT ANSWER - Internal waters-12NM
Territorial Sea - CORRECT ANSWER - Baseline to 12NM
Contiguous Zone - CORRECT ANSWER - 12NM to 24NM
International Waters - CORRECT ANSWER - 12NM to Foreign territorial sea
