COXSWAIN KNOWLEDGE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND FULLY
CORRECT ANSWERS
SAR Stages (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER Awareness, Initial Actions,
Planning, Operations, Conclusion
Awareness Stage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER Period during which the SAR
system becomes aware of an actual or potential distress
Initial Actions Stage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER Preliminary action taken to
alert SAR
facilities and obtain amplifying
information
Emergency Stage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER Three emergency phases have
been established for classifying incidents and to help in determining the actions
to be taken for each incident.
Classification is made by SMC upon receiving notification.
UNCERTAINTY, ALERT DISTRESS
Uncertainty Phase (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER exists when there is
knowledge of a situation that may need to be monitored, or have more
information gathered, but that does not require moving resources.
Alert Phase (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER exists when a craft or person is
experiencing some difficulty and may need assistance, but is not in immediate
danger or in need of immediate response.
Distress Phase (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER exists when grave or imminent
danger requiring immediate response to the distress scene threatens a craft or
person.
,Planning Stage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER Effective plan of operation is
developed;
Search
Rescue
Delivery
Operations Stage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER encompasses all activities that
involve searching for the distressed persons or craft, providing assistance, and
removing them to a safe place.
Conclusion Stage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER A period during a SAR
incident when SAR facilities return to their regular location and prepare for
another mission.
General Salvage Policy (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER When commercial
salvors are on scene performing salvage, Coast Guard units may assist them
within the unit's capabilities, if the salvor requests. When no commercial
salvage facilities are on scene, Coast Guard units should only engage in salvage
other than towing when limited salvage operations (e.g., ungrounding, pumping,
damage control measures, etc.) can prevent a worsening situation or complete
loss of the vessel. Any salvage operations shall be performed at the discretion of
the unit CO/OINC.
Refloating a Small Craft Policy (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER District
commander may modify the policy to provide for refloating a grounded boat
which is not in peril of further damage or loss if:
(a)
the Coast Guard units are capable of rendering the assistance,
(b)
the owner requests the assistance and agrees to the specific effort to be made,
and
(c)
Coast Guard units and personnel are not unduly hazarded by the operation.
IAW the ISO (international organization for Standardization, Section 47 -
Shipbuilding and marine structures, 47.080 states a small craft is a vessel that is
greater than 6 meters (19 feet) but less than 24 meters (78 feet)
, Prudent Actions to take into consideration when refloating a small craft (SAR
Addendum) - ANSWER (a)Allowing the next tide to refloat the vessel,
(b)Helping the mariner set anchors,
(c)Evacuating the passengers,
(d)Helping the mariner determine the vessel's seaworthiness.
Operator Insistence in the case of salvage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER The
Coast Guard is under no obligation to agree to any such request or demand. If a
decision to comply with such a request is made, it should be made clear that the
operator is assuming the risk of the operation. The fact that the action is
undertaken at operator's request, and is against Coast Guard advice, should be
logged.
Fire Fighting Policy (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER (a)Independent
firefighting. Coast Guard personnel shall not engage in independent firefighting
operations, except to save a life or in the early stages of a fire to avert a
significant threat without undue risk.
(b)Commercial vessels and waterfront facilities. 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.
Direction and Navigation Assistance to Mariners Policy (SAR Addendum) -
ANSWER Stated current standard navigational information that may be passed
includes:
(a)Characteristics of lights;
(b)Magnetic or true bearings between charted objects;
(c)Charted range bearings;
(d)Charted traffic separation scheme bearings;
(e)Charted depth of water;
(f)Charted hazards;
(g)Radio beacon frequencies;
(h)Charted buoy positions;
(i)Lat/Long of charted objects.
Compass courses shall never be given because of the unique aspects of
deviation, wind and current.
QUESTIONS AND FULLY
CORRECT ANSWERS
SAR Stages (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER Awareness, Initial Actions,
Planning, Operations, Conclusion
Awareness Stage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER Period during which the SAR
system becomes aware of an actual or potential distress
Initial Actions Stage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER Preliminary action taken to
alert SAR
facilities and obtain amplifying
information
Emergency Stage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER Three emergency phases have
been established for classifying incidents and to help in determining the actions
to be taken for each incident.
Classification is made by SMC upon receiving notification.
UNCERTAINTY, ALERT DISTRESS
Uncertainty Phase (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER exists when there is
knowledge of a situation that may need to be monitored, or have more
information gathered, but that does not require moving resources.
Alert Phase (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER exists when a craft or person is
experiencing some difficulty and may need assistance, but is not in immediate
danger or in need of immediate response.
Distress Phase (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER exists when grave or imminent
danger requiring immediate response to the distress scene threatens a craft or
person.
,Planning Stage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER Effective plan of operation is
developed;
Search
Rescue
Delivery
Operations Stage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER encompasses all activities that
involve searching for the distressed persons or craft, providing assistance, and
removing them to a safe place.
Conclusion Stage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER A period during a SAR
incident when SAR facilities return to their regular location and prepare for
another mission.
General Salvage Policy (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER When commercial
salvors are on scene performing salvage, Coast Guard units may assist them
within the unit's capabilities, if the salvor requests. When no commercial
salvage facilities are on scene, Coast Guard units should only engage in salvage
other than towing when limited salvage operations (e.g., ungrounding, pumping,
damage control measures, etc.) can prevent a worsening situation or complete
loss of the vessel. Any salvage operations shall be performed at the discretion of
the unit CO/OINC.
Refloating a Small Craft Policy (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER District
commander may modify the policy to provide for refloating a grounded boat
which is not in peril of further damage or loss if:
(a)
the Coast Guard units are capable of rendering the assistance,
(b)
the owner requests the assistance and agrees to the specific effort to be made,
and
(c)
Coast Guard units and personnel are not unduly hazarded by the operation.
IAW the ISO (international organization for Standardization, Section 47 -
Shipbuilding and marine structures, 47.080 states a small craft is a vessel that is
greater than 6 meters (19 feet) but less than 24 meters (78 feet)
, Prudent Actions to take into consideration when refloating a small craft (SAR
Addendum) - ANSWER (a)Allowing the next tide to refloat the vessel,
(b)Helping the mariner set anchors,
(c)Evacuating the passengers,
(d)Helping the mariner determine the vessel's seaworthiness.
Operator Insistence in the case of salvage (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER The
Coast Guard is under no obligation to agree to any such request or demand. If a
decision to comply with such a request is made, it should be made clear that the
operator is assuming the risk of the operation. The fact that the action is
undertaken at operator's request, and is against Coast Guard advice, should be
logged.
Fire Fighting Policy (SAR Addendum) - ANSWER (a)Independent
firefighting. Coast Guard personnel shall not engage in independent firefighting
operations, except to save a life or in the early stages of a fire to avert a
significant threat without undue risk.
(b)Commercial vessels and waterfront facilities. 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.
Direction and Navigation Assistance to Mariners Policy (SAR Addendum) -
ANSWER Stated current standard navigational information that may be passed
includes:
(a)Characteristics of lights;
(b)Magnetic or true bearings between charted objects;
(c)Charted range bearings;
(d)Charted traffic separation scheme bearings;
(e)Charted depth of water;
(f)Charted hazards;
(g)Radio beacon frequencies;
(h)Charted buoy positions;
(i)Lat/Long of charted objects.
Compass courses shall never be given because of the unique aspects of
deviation, wind and current.
