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USCG Coxswain Basic Coxswain Qualification Study
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Coxswain Responsibilities - ANSWER Coxswain Responsibilities, in Order of Priority:
- Safety and conduct of passengers and crew
- Safe operation and navigation of the boat
- Completion of the sortie(s) or mission(s) Coxswains will respond to the following:
- Hazards to life or property
- Violations of laws or regulations
- Discrepancies in aids to navigation Causes of Crew Fatigue - ANSWER 1) Operating in extreme hot or cold weather conditions
- Eye Strain
- Effort of holding on and maintaining balance
- Stress
- Exposure to Noise
- Exposure to Sun
- Poor Physical Conditioning
- Lack of Sleep
- Boredom Symptoms of Crew Fatigue - ANSWER 1) Inability to focus/concentrate
- Mental Confusion or Judgement Error
- Decreased Coordination
- Increased Irritability
- Decreased Performance
- Decreased Concern for Safety Prevention of Crew Fatigue - ANSWER 1) Adequate Rest
- Appropriate Dress for Weather Conditions
- Rotating Crew Duties
- Providing Food and Refreshments
- Observing Other Crew Members for Signs of Fatigue
Underway Limits - ANSWER 40 foot and above- Seas less then 4 foot is 10 hours, seas greater then 4 foot is 8 hours, seas 10 foot or greater is 6 hours 40 foot and less- Seas less then 4 foot is 8 hours, seas greater then 4 foot is 6 hours, seas 10 foot or higher is not applicable Trailering 350 or 8 hours 8 Rest Hours Required once limit has been met CB-L Basic Construction Specs - ANSWER Hull Construction Material: 5086 H116 Aluminum plate Frame Interval: 24 Inches Apart Cabin/Superstructure Construction Material: Console: 5086 H116 Aluminum Plate. Highest Fixed Point: Mast: 7' 7" Highest Un-Fixed Point: HF Antenna: 12' 9" Length Overall: 22' 10" (outdrive up) 22' (outdrive down) Beam: 8' 6" including collar. Freeboard at Lowest Point: Sponson + ½ inch Full Load Displacement: 4731lbs (performance condition), 3900 lbs (light ship) Draft: 3' Location of Deepest Draft: Lower Unit/Prop OTH Basic Construction Specs - ANSWER Hull Construction Material: 0.0190-inch-thick 5086 H116 Aluminum plate with a ¼ thick 6- inch-wide beaching plate welded to the keel from frame 14 to 21 ½ and an aluminum transom. Frame Interval: 24 Inches Apart and are 0.0190-inches-thick aluminum. Cabin/Superstructure Construction Material: Console: 1/8 inch 5086 H116 Aluminum Plate. Highest Fixed Point: Mast Raised: 8'10 ¾"; Mast Lowered 5'6" Highest Un-Fixed Point: HF Antenna: 12' 1/2" Length Overall: Bucket Down: 25' 9"; Bucket Up: 25' 5 1/8" Beam: 8' 6" including collar. Freeboard at Lowest Point: Sponson + ½ inch Full Load Displacement: 11,431lbs Draft: 28 inches Location of Deepest Draft: Jet Outtake
Free Surface Effect - ANSWER Compartment is partly filled with liquid, the liquid will flow from side to side as the vessel rolls/pitches. Corrective actions include:
- Minimize the number of partially filled tanks (fuel, water, or cargo);
- Prevent cargo from rolling back and forth on the deck,
- If possible, store cargo low and close to the centerline. Downflooding - ANSWER The entry of water into the hull, resulting in progressive flooding and loss of stability. Corrective actions include:
- Keep all watertight fittings and openings secured when a vessel is underway
- Pump out the water. Topside Icing - ANSWER Icing can increase the displacement of a boat by adding weight above the center of gravity causing the center of gravity to rise causing vessel to heel over and greatly reduces stability Corrective actions include:
- Change course, speed, or both to reduce freezing spray and rolling,
- Physically remove the ice. Two Types of Stability - ANSWER Longitudinal and transverse Longitudinal (Fore/Aft)- stability tends to balance the boat, preventing it from pitching end- over-end (Pitch Poling). Transverse (Athwartships)- stability tends to keep the boat from rolling over (Capsizing) Righting Movement - ANSWER Force causing a vessel to react against a roll and return to an even keel. Set and Drift - ANSWER Set is direction the ship is being pushed off course. Drift is the speed the ship is getting pushed off course. Effects of Ebb on Bar/Entrance - ANSWER An outgoing or ebb current running across a bar builds up a more intense sea than the incoming or flood current. The intense sea results because
the rush of water out against the incoming ground swell slows the wave speed and steepens the wave prematurely. Effects of Current - ANSWER When a vessel is moving with the current, speed over ground is increased, but speed through water and maneuverability are decreased due to less water flowing past the rudder. When a vessel is moving against the current, speed over ground is decreased but maneuverability is increased. However, at slow speeds, a small course change can have the bow swing as water pushes on one side of the bow. Leeway - ANSWER The drift of an object with the wind, on the surface of the sea. The sideward motion of a ship because of wind and current, the difference between her heading (course steered) and her track (course made good). Sometimes called drift. In SAR, movement of search object through water caused by local winds blowing against that object Cavitation - ANSWER Rapid formation and collapse of vapor pockets in a flowing liquid in regions of very low pressure Causes of cavitation - ANSWER 1) When a propeller rotates at high speed and a partial vacuum forms air bubbles at the tip of the blades
- Trying to get a stopped propeller to spin at max speed
- Rapidly going ahead to astern
- Operating in aerated water where bubbles are dragged into prop flow Slip - ANSWER Prop doesn't reach full pitch, lost distance of pitch due to drag is slip. Props must push the boat forward but raising the stern increases slip, which wastes fuel by increasing RPMs.
Minimum Crew: 2 (Coxswain and Engineer) Maximum POB Capacity: 13 (5 crew and 8 passengers) Max Seas: 11 foot Max Winds: 30 knots Max Size Boat That Can Be Towed: 3,000 pounds on tow bit Ice Breaking Capability: None Surf Capability: None Turning Point: Turns at the Water Jet Operational Characteristics of the CBL - ANSWER Max Speed: 36 Knots Stopping Characteristics: Approximately 1 boat length at cruising speed Cruising RPM's: 2300 RPM Max Range: 200 Nautical Miles Minimum Crew: 2 (coxswain and crew member) Maximum POB Capacity: 13 (5 crew and 8 passengers) Max Seas: 6 foot Max Wind: 35 knots Max size boat that can be towed: Similar Sized Vessel Ice Breaking Capability: None Surf Capability: None
Turning Point: Turns at mid-ship, just behind the console Components of OTH Propulsion System - ANSWER Engine: Cummins QSB 6.7 Litre 480 Horsepower Diesel coupled to Hamilton Waterjet Engine Horsepower: 480 Waterjet Nomeclature: Hamilton HJ292 Waterjet integrated package with Steering/Reverse Mechanism, Jet Mounted Hydraulic Control System, and Dry Run System. Location of Jet Nozzle: Aft, just past the transom Max Shaft RPM: 3300 RPM Type of Fuel Used: Number 1 Diesel, NUmber 2 Diesel, Jet A, A-1, JP5, JP Fuel Tank Capacity: 114 Gallons (twin 57 gallon fuel tanks) Usable Fuel Tank Capacity: 90% or 100 gallons Lube Oil System: 17.6 Quarts Cooling System: Engine-driven centrifugal pump and thermostat with two pass tube heat exchangers Marine Gear: ZF280-1 with 3 operating modes (Neutral, Engine Rotation, Counter) Gear Ratio: 1: Components of CBL Propulsion System - ANSWER Engine: Volvo D3-220 5 Cylinder, 4 Cycle Turbo-charged Engine Horsepower: 220 Max Shaft RPM's: 4,000 RPM's Type of Fuel Used: MGO, JP
and by estimating the freeboard of the vessel and observing its motions on the water, he or she can gain a fair estimate of the seas in which it is operating Determine Wave Height Using Fixed Structures - ANSWER Observation of waves as they pass a known fixed structure can give an accurate height as well as the wave period Determine Wave Height Using Depth Sounder - ANSWER Using a digital depth sounder with a fast update speed can be very accurate for determining wave height. By comparing the depth in the trough on even keel with the depth at the crest on even keel, an accurate measurement can be obtained. Types of Breaking Waves- Plunging - ANSWER Plunging breakers are created when a wave encounters a sudden decrease in depth, such as a reef or a steep rise of the ocean floor. The momentum caused by the breaking top of the wave will cause the water to curl Types of Breaking Waves- Spilling - ANSWER Spilling breakers are created when wave energy encounters a gentle sloping ocean floor. The spilling breakers normally have a crest of white water spreading down the wave face Types of Breaking Waves- Surging - ANSWER Surging breakers are created on very steep beaches. The wave builds very quickly and expends its energy on the beach. Wave Parts- Window - ANSWER A window is an area where the waves have momentarily stopped breaking. Windows often form in the area of aerated water where a large set of waves has just finished breaking. Wave Parts- Saddle - ANSWER The "saddle" is the lowest part of a wave, bordered on both sides by higher ones. Wave Parts- High Side/ Low Side - ANSWER The "high side" is defined as the section of a wave which carries the most potential energy. The "low side" is where the least potential energy exists and represents the safest direction to turn when facing the wave/swell Wave Parts- Close Out - ANSWER Closeouts occur when a wave breaks from the ends toward the middle, or two waves break towards each other. The middle may look like a good saddle, but can quickly turn into whitewater. Closeouts should be
avoided because they can create more energy than a single break. Four primary geographic divisions of SAR - ANSWER 1) Maritime Pacific
- Maritime Atlantic
- Aeronautical Pacific
- Aeronautical Atlantic Two Geographic Areas of CG SAR Responsibility - ANSWER 1) Atlantic
- Pacific SAR Program Goal - ANSWER The ultimate goal of the Coast Guard's SAR program is to prevent loss of life in every situation where our actions and performance could possibly be brought to bear. SAR Program Objectives - ANSWER 1) Minimize loss of life, injury, property loss, and damage in marine environments
- Minimize crew risk during SAR missions
- Optimize use of resources in conducting SAR
- Maintain a world leadership position in maritime SAR Statutory Authority for CG SAR - ANSWER The statutory authority for the U. S. Coast Guard to conduct SAR missions is contained in Title 14, Sections 2, 88, and 141 of the U.S. Code. The code states that the Coast Guard shall develop, establish, maintain and operate SAR facilities and may render aid to distressed persons and protect and save property on and under the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. It also states that the Coast Guard may use its resources to assist other Federal and State entities. Thus, Coast Guard performance of SAR is essentially permissive in nature Once the Coast Guard undertakes a particular mission, we must conduct that mission with due diligence, and must not worsen a situation by our actions
Closing or Suspending a False Alert/Hoax Case - ANSWER When the source of a hoax or false alert has been confirmed, SMC or the SC should close the case. However, when the source of a suspected false alert or hoax remains unknown, the case cannot be closed, but only suspended Search Planning - ANSWER Approved Search Planning tools for incidents: Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System (SAROPS) Manual solution work sheets with manual plotting Maritime SAR Assistance Policy (MSAP) - ANSWER Sets forth policy and procedures for handling requests for any type of Search and Rescue (SAR) assistance from the Coast Guard and defines Coast Guard relationships with other possible sources of assistance. It establishes internal Coast Guard policy guidance only and is not intended to confer any right or benefit nor create any obligation or duty to the general public Distress Situations (FFCAMP) - ANSWER Fire Flooding Collision Adrift in a Channel Medical PIW CG General Salvage Policy - ANSWER CG "should engage" (not must or shall) in salvage other than towing when:
- No commercial salvage is on scene
- Limited salvage "can prevent a worsening situation or complete loss of the vessel" Three Prongs to Perform Salvage Other then Towing - ANSWER - The Coast Guard units are capable of rendering assistance
- The owner request assistance and agrees to specific effort to be made
- CG units and personnel are not unduly hazarded by the operation
Salvage operations that may be permitted include - ANSWER Plugging hole in recreational vessel with rags and wedges Pumping water from a vessel Pulling a small vessel from a sand bar into deeper water Allowing Tide to Refloat the Vessel Helping Set Anchors Forced Evacuation of Vessels - ANSWER The Coast Guard is authorized to rescue and aid persons and protect and save property at any time and any place. This may include forcing or compelling mariners to abandon their vessels when a life-threatening emergency exists CG Fire-Fighting - ANSWER The Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972 acknowledges that increased supervision of port operations is necessary to prevent damage to structures in, on, or adjacent to the navigable waters of the United States, and to reduce the possibility of vessel or cargo loss, or damage to life, property and the marine environment. This statute, along with the traditional functions and powers of the Coast Guard to render aid and save property (14 U.S.C. 88(b)), is the basis for Coast Guard firefighting activities. Assistance as Available Posture - ANSWER Assistance as available posture without conveying the impression that the Coast Guard is prepared to relieve local fire departments of their responsibilities. In developing a Coast Guard unit's assistance posture, the following needs to be considered: · Threat level of fire · The jurisdictions involved · The capabilities of local fire departments · The availability of Coast Guard equipment · Level of Coast Guard training Independent Firefighting - ANSWER Coast Guard Personnel shall not engage in independent firefighting operations, except to save life or in the early stages of a fire to advert a significant threat without undue risk Policy for persons trapped in a capsized vessel - ANSWER COMDTINST M16130.2F 5.8.2. Rescue and surface swimmers shall not enter capsized or submerged objects - they may reach inside while maintaining a grasp on a reference point on the exterior of the object
BECCE: Loss of Fuel Oil Pressure - ANSWER 1 Coxswain notify and direct the crew to investigate the casualty and report status, cause and, if applicable, estimated time to repair. 2 Verify the fuel tank level at the gauge on the Coxswain's console. Sound the fuel tank to ascertain tank level. 3 Crewmembers should: Check the aft compartments and the engine well deck for fuel. Check for the presence of fuel around the engine cover. Check the condition of the (Racor) fuel filters. Check engine fuel lines for holes or loose connections. Check engine gauges for an engine fuel filter and water separator alarm condition. Report all findings to the Coxswain. 4 Coxswain report status of casualty to the Operational Commander. BECCE: Loss Control of Engine RPM - ANSWER 1 Coxswain notify and direct the crew to investigate the casualty and report status, cause and, if applicable, estimated time to repair. 2 Crewmembers should: Check throttle and shift control cables. Check throttle arm on engine. Check throttle connections and appropriate breakers. Report all findings to the Coxswain. 3 If required, secure engine while in gear. 4 Coxswain report status of casualty to the Operational Commander. BECCE: Engine High Water Temp - ANSWER 1Coxswain notify and direct the crew to investigate the casualty and report status, cause and, if applicable, estimated time to repair. 2 Coxswain bring engine to idle and stop the engine. 3 Crewmembers should: Check engine cover with the back of the hand to ascertain any abnormal temperature. Check around engine cover for evidence of steam.
If possible, tilt engine forward and check cooling water intake screen for obstructions. Report all findings to the Coxswain. 4 Coxswain report status of casualty to the Operational Commander. Cause and Effect of Static Forces - ANSWER Inertia and the moment of inertia are two different properties of static forces that cause resistance in towing vessels. The effect of static forces cause a towed vessel to resist motion. Inertia - ANSWER The tendency for a vessel at rest to stay at rest. The more mass a vessel has (the greater its displacement), the harder it is to get it moving. Moment of Inertia - ANSWER The moment of inertia occurs when a towed vessel resists effort to turn about a vertical axis to change heading. The larger the vessel, the more resistance there will be in turning the vessel. Unless necessary in a case of immediate danger, an attempt to tow a distressed vessel ahead and change its heading at the same time should not be used. Both inertia and the moment of inertia will be involved in the resistance of moving the distressed vessel, which can cause potentially dangerous situations and greater resistance for towing. Starting the Tow on the Initial Heading: - ANSWER 1. Apply the towing force on the initial heading to gradually overcome the towed vessel's inertia.
- As the towed vessel gains momentum, slowly and gradually increase speed.
- To change the tow direction, make any change slowly and gradually after the towed vessel is moving. Changing the Towed Vessel's Heading - ANSWER Changing the Towed Vessel's Heading:
- 1 Apply the towing force perpendicular to the vessel's heading. Once the towed vessel starts to turn, resistance will develop.
- Apply turning force slowly and gradually. It is more difficult to change the initial heading of a heavy vessel (one with a high moment of inertia) than a light one.
- Now, begin to tow in the desired direction and gradually overcome inertia to get the towed vessel moving forward.
- Once making way, the effects of static forces lessen.
- Until the tow achieves a steady speed and direction, apply power or turning force to defeat any remaining inertia or to change the towed vessel's momentum gradually.
Deploy a Drogue from the Towed Vessel VIGOROUS Standing Orders to Cutter Boat Coxswains - ANSWER · Be qualified and certified for specific boat platform · Maintain required currencies and certifications · Ensure assigned boat is properly outfitted and ready for planned mission · Ensure all personnel wear the PPE required · Request PPE and operational waivers from CO when appropriate · Operate and navigate boat in safe and prudent manner · Never compromise navigational safety of the boat · Maintain a comms schedule with the cutter or shore based station during mission · Be thoroughly knowledgeable with operation of equipment on cutter boats · Be prepared for any and all emergency situations · Upon sortie completion, ensure boat is secured for sea, rinsed down, refueled, and ready for use · Notify 1LT or EO of any problems/issues with the small boat.
