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USCG COXSWAIN EXAM STUDY GUIDE RECENTLY
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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 H 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.
- Be aware of control loading, amount of weight and placement, on own and the distressed craft.
- If necessary, attempt to keep your equipment aboard your vessel when dewatering the vessel.
- Attempt to tow the distressed vessel only after any loss of stability has been corrected.
- Adjust course, speed, or both as necessary to decrease rolling or listing
- Avoid sharp turns or turns at high speed when loss of stability is possible. 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
Thrust and Directional Control - ANSWER Vessel control is through the nozzle-directed thrust. To attain forward motion, the thrust exits directly astern. For turning, the nozzle pivots (as a stern drive) to provide a transverse thrust component that moves the stern Zero Thrust - ANSWER Center the helm and throttles, adjust the bucket to a point where thrust maintains position. Operational Characteristics of the OTH - ANSWER Max Speed: 40 Knots Stopping Characteristics: Approximately 1 boat length at cruising speed Cruising RPM's: 2600 RPM Maximum Range: 227 Nautical Miles with 10% Fuel Reserve 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
Maneuvering in Rivers- Stay in the Bend Maneuver - ANSWER Staying in the bend is a turn in the bend away from the point that takes precise timing. If done too late, the boat may ground on the bank in the bend. If done too soon, there is extreme danger that a strong and sudden sheer will occur. The bank suction on one quarter combines with the current on the other quarter to give the boat the sheer. Surf - ANSWER Several waves or swell breaking on the shore, shoal, reef, bar, or inlet. Effect of Wind on Waves - ANSWER As wind speed increases, wave height will increase. Wind can cause waves to break if blowing in the opposite direction of waves. The Beaufort Wind Scale numbers define a particular state of wind and wave. The scale allows mariners to estimate the wind speed based on the sea state. Determining Wave Height Using Height of Eye - ANSWER While Boat is in the trough and on level keel, any wave that obscures the horizon is greater than the height of the persons eye, can be compared to deck structures. Determine Wave Height Using Floating Structures - ANSWER If the freeboard of a buoy is known to be 13 feet, that information can be used to determine the height of the waves passing it. A buoy can also be used to determine the wave period. One can observe a vessel underway 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
Domestic SAR Agreement - ANSWER SAR Coordinators are authorized to enter into domestic SAR agreements by the National SAR Plan. Resolves local coordination problems, appropriate when local responsibilities need to be defined or contingency plans need elaboration. When necessary and SAR agreements with states should be included in the Federal/State Recreational Boating Safety Cooperative Agreements (BSCA). DOD SAR Agreement - ANSWER Details response parameters when DOD resources are a key component of the SAR system DOD facilities can be used under the National SAR Plan for civil SAR CG Endorsed Distress Beacons - ANSWER 406 Megahertz and 121. Megahertz Three Emergency Phases of SAR - ANSWER Uncertainty, Alert, Distress Uncertainty Phase - 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 - ANSWER Exists when a craft or person is experiencing some difficulty and may need assistance, but is not in immediate danger or need of immediate response. Distress Phase - ANSWER Exists when grave or imminent danger requiring immediate response to the distress scene threatens a craft or person. False Alert - ANSWER Case where the subject reported to be in distress is confirmed not to be in distress and not to be in need of assistance. In a false alert case, the reporting source either misjudged a situation or inadvertently activated a distress signal or beacon resulting in an erroneous request for help, but did not deliberately act to deceive. Hoax - ANSWER Case where information is conveyed with the intent to deceive 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
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 Procedures for Rescuing trapped person - ANSWER 1) Keep in contact with the person(s)
- Stabilize the hull
- Estimate the volume of air remaining
- Surface swimmers may attempt to direct trapped persons out but shall not dive under the vessel
- Inject clean air if possible
- Only if no rescue is possible, may you consider re-righting the vessel. Search Patterns - ANSWER Precision and Drifting Precision: Parallel, Creeping, Track-Line, Track-line Return, Barrier Drifting: Expanding Square, Victor Sierra Track Spacing - ANSWER PIW-200 yds good and bad weather Less then 15ft- 1000yds good / 400 yds bad weather Greater then 15ft- 1nm good / 1000 yds bad weather Expanding Square - ANSWER Used when there is a high degree of confidence that search object is close to estimated datum position. Victor Sierra - ANSWER Used when the datum is established within close limits, a very high coverage immediately around the datum is desired, and the area to be searched is not extensive. All turns are 120 degrees to the right, Upon completion a second pattern is started with the heading of the 1st leg being 30 degrees to the right of the final course of the first pattern Man Overboard Procedure - ANSWER 1) Maneuver Boat to Pick up PIW
- Mark Position
- Relay Info to Cutter
- Alert Other Boats in Vicinity
- Deploy Datum/ Flotation Device
- Assign Crew Duties: Pointer, Recovery/Pick-up, Datum Deployer
- Crew Briefing: how the recovery will be made, direct or indirect, and whether it will be accomplished on the port or starboard side
- Administer first aid upon recovery and advise cutter of MOB status 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.
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. Cause and Effect of Dynamic Forces - ANSWER Dynamic forces occur once the towed vessel is moving. They are based on the towed vessel's characteristics (shape, displacement, arrangement, rigging), the motion caused by the towing vessel, and the effects of waves and wind. Momentum - ANSWER Once a vessel moves in a straight line, it wants to keep moving in a straight line. The greater its displacement or the faster it is moving, the harder it is to stop or change the vessel's direction. Angular Momentum - ANSWER Once the vessel's heading begins to change, it wants to keep changing in that same direction. The faster the towed vessel's heading changes, the harder it is to get the tow moving in a straight line. The towed vessel's momentum will gradually increase with towing speed. Momentum in a straight line will resist effort to change the towed vessel's direction and will tend to keep the towed vessel moving when tension in the towing rig is decreased. When changing directions, the towed vessel will develop angular momentum while the vessel's heading is changing. Frictional Resistance - ANSWER As a vessel moves, the layer of water in immediate contact with the hull moves. Due to friction between water molecules, the layers of water close to the hull try to drag along. The vessel appears to move "through" the water. This attempt to drag water alongside takes energy. As speed increases, this action becomes "turbulent."
Cause of Tow Line Strain and Shock Loading - ANSWER Wave Drag Spray Drag Wind Drag Effect of Shock Loading - ANSWER Shock-loading may cause severe damage to both towing and towed vessels and overload a tow rig to the point of towline or bridle failure. Shock-loading could also cause momentary loss of directional control by either vessel and could capsize small vessels. Shock Loading Counter- Actions - ANSWER · Reduce Towing Speed · Get the Vessels "In-Step" · Lengthen the Towline · Set a Course to Lessen the Effect of the Seas 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.
