USCG COXSWAIN PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS 2025/2026 ALL GRADED A+
✔✔PEAACE - ✔✔Identifies risk factors to consider
P-planning
E-even
A-asset crew
A-asset boat
C-communication
E-environment
✔✔STAAR - ✔✔Used to identify options in order to reduce operational risk
S-spread out
T-transfer
A-avoid
A-accept
R-reduce
✔✔3 elements of SAR - ✔✔Uncertainty (doubt)
Alert (apprehension)
Distress (distress)
✔✔Barrier search - ✔✔Used where a strong current exists
Major axis is perpendicular to the direction of drift
Containment of datum is paramount
✔✔Track spacing - ✔✔Distance between 2 adjacent parallel search legs
✔✔Medico - ✔✔Medical advice
✔✔An overdue vessel is what kind of distress? - ✔✔Potential
✔✔Sweep width - ✔✔Distance used for measuring detection capability
✔✔SAR support components - ✔✔O-organizations
R-resources
C-communications
E-emergency care
D-documentation
✔✔Coxswain responsibilities - ✔✔Safety and conduct of passengers and crew
The safe operation and navigation of the boat assigned
And the completion of the sortie or missions assigned or undertaken pursuant to coast
guard policy and regulations
, A coxswain underway shall at all times respond to observed hazards to life or property
and violations of law or regulations
And report discrepancies to aids to navigation
✔✔Nav standards + standing orders - ✔✔Nav draft- 4 ft
Operating parameters- 6 ft seas 25 kt winds
Oic shall be briefed at 4 ft seas 20 kt winds
Offset- 1.5 ft
XTE- .03 nm= 60 yds
Arrival alarm- .05 nm 100 yds
Depth alarm- 4 ft
✔✔CG nav standards - ✔✔Responsible for safety of boat and crew
Always mark charts with track lines, courses, bearings & keep electronic charts up to
date
Know advantages and limitations of all electronic nav equipment
Use extreme caution when driving close to hazards and shoals
✔✔Minor discrepancy (Restrictive) - ✔✔Do not affect operational readiness however it
doesn't meet the standardization criteria
Ex. crack on handle bar, gps or radar inoperative, one radio inoperative, one fire
extinguisher
✔✔Major discrepancy - ✔✔Loose or missing fittings, nuts, bolts, brackets, hardware,
seat belts, fenders, or first aid kit
✔✔Disabling casualty - ✔✔Engine failure, uncontrollable overheating, excessive engine
vibration.
✔✔Rule 5 - ✔✔Lookout
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by all available means.
✔✔Rule 6 - ✔✔Safe speed
Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and
effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the
prevailing circumstances and conditions
1- visibility
2- traffic density
3-maneuverability
4- background light
5- wind&seas
6- draft
✔✔Rule 7 - ✔✔Risk of collision
SOLUTIONS 2025/2026 ALL GRADED A+
✔✔PEAACE - ✔✔Identifies risk factors to consider
P-planning
E-even
A-asset crew
A-asset boat
C-communication
E-environment
✔✔STAAR - ✔✔Used to identify options in order to reduce operational risk
S-spread out
T-transfer
A-avoid
A-accept
R-reduce
✔✔3 elements of SAR - ✔✔Uncertainty (doubt)
Alert (apprehension)
Distress (distress)
✔✔Barrier search - ✔✔Used where a strong current exists
Major axis is perpendicular to the direction of drift
Containment of datum is paramount
✔✔Track spacing - ✔✔Distance between 2 adjacent parallel search legs
✔✔Medico - ✔✔Medical advice
✔✔An overdue vessel is what kind of distress? - ✔✔Potential
✔✔Sweep width - ✔✔Distance used for measuring detection capability
✔✔SAR support components - ✔✔O-organizations
R-resources
C-communications
E-emergency care
D-documentation
✔✔Coxswain responsibilities - ✔✔Safety and conduct of passengers and crew
The safe operation and navigation of the boat assigned
And the completion of the sortie or missions assigned or undertaken pursuant to coast
guard policy and regulations
, A coxswain underway shall at all times respond to observed hazards to life or property
and violations of law or regulations
And report discrepancies to aids to navigation
✔✔Nav standards + standing orders - ✔✔Nav draft- 4 ft
Operating parameters- 6 ft seas 25 kt winds
Oic shall be briefed at 4 ft seas 20 kt winds
Offset- 1.5 ft
XTE- .03 nm= 60 yds
Arrival alarm- .05 nm 100 yds
Depth alarm- 4 ft
✔✔CG nav standards - ✔✔Responsible for safety of boat and crew
Always mark charts with track lines, courses, bearings & keep electronic charts up to
date
Know advantages and limitations of all electronic nav equipment
Use extreme caution when driving close to hazards and shoals
✔✔Minor discrepancy (Restrictive) - ✔✔Do not affect operational readiness however it
doesn't meet the standardization criteria
Ex. crack on handle bar, gps or radar inoperative, one radio inoperative, one fire
extinguisher
✔✔Major discrepancy - ✔✔Loose or missing fittings, nuts, bolts, brackets, hardware,
seat belts, fenders, or first aid kit
✔✔Disabling casualty - ✔✔Engine failure, uncontrollable overheating, excessive engine
vibration.
✔✔Rule 5 - ✔✔Lookout
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by all available means.
✔✔Rule 6 - ✔✔Safe speed
Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and
effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the
prevailing circumstances and conditions
1- visibility
2- traffic density
3-maneuverability
4- background light
5- wind&seas
6- draft
✔✔Rule 7 - ✔✔Risk of collision
