COAST GUARD EPME TEST PAPER 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GUARANTEE A+
✔✔Overhead - ✔✔The ceiling on a vessel/ compartment
✔✔Port - ✔✔Referring to the left side of a vessel when seen by someone facing the
bow
✔✔Rack - ✔✔A sailor's bed
✔✔Scullery - ✔✔Compartment for washing and sterilizing eating utensils
✔✔Starboard - ✔✔Right side of the ship from the perspective of looking forward
✔✔Stern - ✔✔The back of the ship
✔✔Swab - ✔✔To mop. The mop itself
✔✔Turn to - ✔✔An order to begin work
✔✔Void - ✔✔An empty compartment below decks
✔✔Wake - ✔✔The track of disturbed water left behind a moving ship
✔✔Watch - ✔✔A period of duty, usually four hours
✔✔Windward - ✔✔Side of the vessel wind is coming from
✔✔420-foot Icebreaker (WAGB) - ✔✔The 420 foot icebreaker employs the power to
break 4.5 feet of ice at three knots continuously or up to eight feet by ramming. The
Polar Icebreaker/Research Vessel was built by Avondale Industries in New Orleans.
USCGC HEALY is named in commemoration of Captain Michael A. Healy, US Revenue
Marine.
Characteristics:
Length: 420 ft
Beam: 82 ft
Designed Draft: 29 ft
Displacement: 16,000 tons
Propulsion: Disel Electric, AC/AC
Cycloconvertor
Shaft
Horsepower: 30,000 Max HP
Commissioned: June 1999
420-foot WAGBs in Service:
,HEALY (WAGB 20) Seattle, WA
✔✔418-foot National Security Cutter (WMSL) - ✔✔The National Security Cutter (NSC)
is the flagship of the fleet, capable of meeting all maritime security mission needs. It is
the largest and most technically advanced class of cutter in the Coast Guard, with
robust capabilities for maritime homeland security, law enforcement and national
defense missions.
Characteristics:
Number in Service: 6
Length: 418 ft
Beam: 54 ft
Draft: 21 ft
Displacement: 4,306 lt
Commissioned: 2008-present
418-foot WMSLs in Service:
BERTHOLF (WMSL 750) Alameda, CA
WAESCHE (WMSL 751) Alameda, CA
STRATTON (WMSL 752) Alameda, CA
HAMILTON (WMSL 753) Charleston, SC
JAMES (WMSL 754) Charleston, SC
MUNRO (WMSL 755) Alameda, CA
✔✔399-foot Polar Class Icebreakers (WAGB) - ✔✔The largest cutters operated by the
Coast Guard are the icebreakers. These cutters, specifically designed for open-water
icebreaking have reinforced hulls, special icebreaking bows, and a system that allows
rapid shifting of ballast to increase the effectiveness of their icebreaking. The Polar Sea
and Polar Star were built in the 1970s and the newest and most technologically
advanced icebreaker, the Cutter HEALY was added to the fleet in November 1999.
They serve in Arctic/Antarctic serving science and research as well as providing
supplies to remote stations. All three icebreakers are under the control of Pacific Area,
Ice Operations Section.
Polar Class Icebreakers in service:
POLAR STAR (WAGB-10) Seattle, WA
POLAR SEA (WAGB-11) Seattle, WA
Characteristics:
Length: 399 ft
Beam: 83.5 ft
Designed Draft: 28 ft
Top of Mast
Above Waterline: 138 ft
Displacement: 13,194 tons
Potable Water: 26,586 gal
General Cargo: 400 tons
Cargo Volume
(upper/lower hold): 350/250 m3
,Max Cargo Dimensions: 7' W x 11' L x 7' H
Commissioned: 1976 & 1978
✔✔378-foot High Endurance Cutter (WHEC) - ✔✔The 378-foot High Endurance Cutter
class are the largest cutters, aside from the three major Icebreakers and National
Security Cutters (NSC), ever built for the Coast Guard. They are powered by diesel
engines and gas turbines, and have controllable-pitch propellers. Equipped with a
helicopter flight deck, retractable hangar, and the facilities to support helicopter
deployment, these 12 cutters were introduced to the Coast Guard inventory in the
1960s. Beginning in the 1980s and ending in 1992, the entire class was modernized
through the Fleet Renovation and Modernization (FRAM) program. The first of the class
was the Hamilton (WHEC-715) commissioned in 1967. Highly versatile and capable of
performing a variety of missions, these cutters operate throughout the world's oceans.
378-foot WHECs in Service:
MELLON (WHEC 717) Seattle, WA
MIDGETT (WHEC 726) Seattle, WA
MUNRO (WHEC 724) Kodiak, AK
SHERMAN (WHEC 720) San Diego, CA
Characteristics:
Length:
378 ft
Beam:
43 ft
Displacement:
3,300 tons
Power Plant:
2 Pratt & Whitney Gas Turbines, 2 Fairbanks-Morse Diesel Engines
Commissioned:
1967
✔✔U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle (WIX 327) - ✔✔USCGC Eagle is the seventh U.S.
Coast Guard cutter to bear the name in a proud line dating back to 1792. The ship was
built in 1936 by the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany, and
commissioned as Horst Wessel. (Four identical sister ships were also built.)
Originally operated by Nazi Germany to train cadets for the German Navy, the ship was
taken by the United States as a war prize after World War II. In 1946, a U.S. Coast
Guard crew - aided by the German crew still onboard - sailed the ship from
Bremerhaven to its new homeport in New London, Connecticut.
Eagle, also known as "America's Tall Ship," is the largest tall ship flying the Stars and
Stripes and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service. Eagle provides an
unparalleled at-sea leadership and professional development experience for future
officers of the U.S. Coast Guard.
, Eagle and her crew have returned to the U.S. Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland,
for an extensive dry dock availability beginning in September 2016. The availability
continues a multi-year Service Life Extension Project (SLEP) that will prepare Eagle to
continue her service for many years to come.
✔✔282-foot Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC) - ✔✔The United States Coast Guard
cutter Alex Haley (WMEC-39) is a former U.S. Navy vessel that was recommissioned
for Coast Guard duty on July 10, 1999. The cutter was named after author and journalist
Alex Haley.
Characteristics:
Number in Service: 1
Length: 282 ft
Beam: 50 ft
Displacement: 3000 tons
Power Plant: 4 Caterpillar Diesels,
2 shafts CPP,
Bow Thruster
Commissioned: 1971
(Recommissioned) 1999
282-foot WMECs in Service:
ALEX HALEY (WMEC-39) Kodiak, AK
✔✔270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC) - Famous Cutter Class - ✔✔270-foot
WMECs in service:
BEAR (WMEC 901) Portsmouth, VA
CAMPBELL (WMEC 909) Kittery, ME
ESCANABA (WMEC 907) Boston, MA
FORWARD (WMEC 911) Portsmouth, VA
HARRIET LANE (WMEC 903) Portsmouth, VA
LEGARE (WMEC 912) Portsmouth, VA
MOHAWK (WMEC 913) Key West, FL
NORTHLAND (WMEC 904) Portsmouth, VA
SENECA (WMEC 906) Boston, MA
SPENCER (WMEC 905) Boston, MA
TAHOMA (WMEC 908) Kittery, ME
TAMPA (WMEC 902) Portsmouth, VA
THETIS (WMEC 910) Key West, FL
Characteristics:
Number in Service: 13
Length: 270 ft
Beam: 38 ft
Displacement: 1,825 tons
Power Plant: 2 diesel engines
Commissioned: 1983-1991
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GUARANTEE A+
✔✔Overhead - ✔✔The ceiling on a vessel/ compartment
✔✔Port - ✔✔Referring to the left side of a vessel when seen by someone facing the
bow
✔✔Rack - ✔✔A sailor's bed
✔✔Scullery - ✔✔Compartment for washing and sterilizing eating utensils
✔✔Starboard - ✔✔Right side of the ship from the perspective of looking forward
✔✔Stern - ✔✔The back of the ship
✔✔Swab - ✔✔To mop. The mop itself
✔✔Turn to - ✔✔An order to begin work
✔✔Void - ✔✔An empty compartment below decks
✔✔Wake - ✔✔The track of disturbed water left behind a moving ship
✔✔Watch - ✔✔A period of duty, usually four hours
✔✔Windward - ✔✔Side of the vessel wind is coming from
✔✔420-foot Icebreaker (WAGB) - ✔✔The 420 foot icebreaker employs the power to
break 4.5 feet of ice at three knots continuously or up to eight feet by ramming. The
Polar Icebreaker/Research Vessel was built by Avondale Industries in New Orleans.
USCGC HEALY is named in commemoration of Captain Michael A. Healy, US Revenue
Marine.
Characteristics:
Length: 420 ft
Beam: 82 ft
Designed Draft: 29 ft
Displacement: 16,000 tons
Propulsion: Disel Electric, AC/AC
Cycloconvertor
Shaft
Horsepower: 30,000 Max HP
Commissioned: June 1999
420-foot WAGBs in Service:
,HEALY (WAGB 20) Seattle, WA
✔✔418-foot National Security Cutter (WMSL) - ✔✔The National Security Cutter (NSC)
is the flagship of the fleet, capable of meeting all maritime security mission needs. It is
the largest and most technically advanced class of cutter in the Coast Guard, with
robust capabilities for maritime homeland security, law enforcement and national
defense missions.
Characteristics:
Number in Service: 6
Length: 418 ft
Beam: 54 ft
Draft: 21 ft
Displacement: 4,306 lt
Commissioned: 2008-present
418-foot WMSLs in Service:
BERTHOLF (WMSL 750) Alameda, CA
WAESCHE (WMSL 751) Alameda, CA
STRATTON (WMSL 752) Alameda, CA
HAMILTON (WMSL 753) Charleston, SC
JAMES (WMSL 754) Charleston, SC
MUNRO (WMSL 755) Alameda, CA
✔✔399-foot Polar Class Icebreakers (WAGB) - ✔✔The largest cutters operated by the
Coast Guard are the icebreakers. These cutters, specifically designed for open-water
icebreaking have reinforced hulls, special icebreaking bows, and a system that allows
rapid shifting of ballast to increase the effectiveness of their icebreaking. The Polar Sea
and Polar Star were built in the 1970s and the newest and most technologically
advanced icebreaker, the Cutter HEALY was added to the fleet in November 1999.
They serve in Arctic/Antarctic serving science and research as well as providing
supplies to remote stations. All three icebreakers are under the control of Pacific Area,
Ice Operations Section.
Polar Class Icebreakers in service:
POLAR STAR (WAGB-10) Seattle, WA
POLAR SEA (WAGB-11) Seattle, WA
Characteristics:
Length: 399 ft
Beam: 83.5 ft
Designed Draft: 28 ft
Top of Mast
Above Waterline: 138 ft
Displacement: 13,194 tons
Potable Water: 26,586 gal
General Cargo: 400 tons
Cargo Volume
(upper/lower hold): 350/250 m3
,Max Cargo Dimensions: 7' W x 11' L x 7' H
Commissioned: 1976 & 1978
✔✔378-foot High Endurance Cutter (WHEC) - ✔✔The 378-foot High Endurance Cutter
class are the largest cutters, aside from the three major Icebreakers and National
Security Cutters (NSC), ever built for the Coast Guard. They are powered by diesel
engines and gas turbines, and have controllable-pitch propellers. Equipped with a
helicopter flight deck, retractable hangar, and the facilities to support helicopter
deployment, these 12 cutters were introduced to the Coast Guard inventory in the
1960s. Beginning in the 1980s and ending in 1992, the entire class was modernized
through the Fleet Renovation and Modernization (FRAM) program. The first of the class
was the Hamilton (WHEC-715) commissioned in 1967. Highly versatile and capable of
performing a variety of missions, these cutters operate throughout the world's oceans.
378-foot WHECs in Service:
MELLON (WHEC 717) Seattle, WA
MIDGETT (WHEC 726) Seattle, WA
MUNRO (WHEC 724) Kodiak, AK
SHERMAN (WHEC 720) San Diego, CA
Characteristics:
Length:
378 ft
Beam:
43 ft
Displacement:
3,300 tons
Power Plant:
2 Pratt & Whitney Gas Turbines, 2 Fairbanks-Morse Diesel Engines
Commissioned:
1967
✔✔U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle (WIX 327) - ✔✔USCGC Eagle is the seventh U.S.
Coast Guard cutter to bear the name in a proud line dating back to 1792. The ship was
built in 1936 by the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany, and
commissioned as Horst Wessel. (Four identical sister ships were also built.)
Originally operated by Nazi Germany to train cadets for the German Navy, the ship was
taken by the United States as a war prize after World War II. In 1946, a U.S. Coast
Guard crew - aided by the German crew still onboard - sailed the ship from
Bremerhaven to its new homeport in New London, Connecticut.
Eagle, also known as "America's Tall Ship," is the largest tall ship flying the Stars and
Stripes and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service. Eagle provides an
unparalleled at-sea leadership and professional development experience for future
officers of the U.S. Coast Guard.
, Eagle and her crew have returned to the U.S. Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland,
for an extensive dry dock availability beginning in September 2016. The availability
continues a multi-year Service Life Extension Project (SLEP) that will prepare Eagle to
continue her service for many years to come.
✔✔282-foot Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC) - ✔✔The United States Coast Guard
cutter Alex Haley (WMEC-39) is a former U.S. Navy vessel that was recommissioned
for Coast Guard duty on July 10, 1999. The cutter was named after author and journalist
Alex Haley.
Characteristics:
Number in Service: 1
Length: 282 ft
Beam: 50 ft
Displacement: 3000 tons
Power Plant: 4 Caterpillar Diesels,
2 shafts CPP,
Bow Thruster
Commissioned: 1971
(Recommissioned) 1999
282-foot WMECs in Service:
ALEX HALEY (WMEC-39) Kodiak, AK
✔✔270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC) - Famous Cutter Class - ✔✔270-foot
WMECs in service:
BEAR (WMEC 901) Portsmouth, VA
CAMPBELL (WMEC 909) Kittery, ME
ESCANABA (WMEC 907) Boston, MA
FORWARD (WMEC 911) Portsmouth, VA
HARRIET LANE (WMEC 903) Portsmouth, VA
LEGARE (WMEC 912) Portsmouth, VA
MOHAWK (WMEC 913) Key West, FL
NORTHLAND (WMEC 904) Portsmouth, VA
SENECA (WMEC 906) Boston, MA
SPENCER (WMEC 905) Boston, MA
TAHOMA (WMEC 908) Kittery, ME
TAMPA (WMEC 902) Portsmouth, VA
THETIS (WMEC 910) Key West, FL
Characteristics:
Number in Service: 13
Length: 270 ft
Beam: 38 ft
Displacement: 1,825 tons
Power Plant: 2 diesel engines
Commissioned: 1983-1991
