USCG COXSWAIN UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS GUARANTEE A+
✔✔Effect of Wind on Waves - ✔✔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.
✔✔Types of Breaking Waves- Plunging - ✔✔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 - ✔✔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 - ✔✔Surging breakers are created on very steep
beaches. The wave builds very quickly and expends its energy on the beach.
✔✔SAR Program Goal - ✔✔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 - ✔✔1) Minimize loss of life, injury, property loss, and
damage in marine environments
2) Minimize crew risk during SAR missions
3) Optimize use of resources in conducting SAR
4) Maintain a world leadership position in maritime SAR
✔✔Statutory Authority for CG SAR - ✔✔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
✔✔SAR Agreements - ✔✔International, Domestic/local, and DOD SAR
✔✔International SAR Agreement - ✔✔Formal International SAR and Informal non-
binding agreements (MOU's) which promote cooperation with other countries in
rendering assistance to distressed persons
✔✔CG Endorsed Distress Beacons - ✔✔406 Megahertz and 121.5 Megahertz
✔✔Three Emergency Phases of SAR - ✔✔Uncertainty, Alert, Distress
✔✔Uncertainty Phase - ✔✔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 - ✔✔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 - ✔✔Exists when grave or imminent danger requiring immediate
response to the distress scene threatens a craft or person.
✔✔False Alert - ✔✔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 - ✔✔Case where information is conveyed with the intent to deceive
✔✔Closing or Suspending a False Alert/Hoax Case - ✔✔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 - ✔✔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) - ✔✔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.
AND SOLUTIONS GUARANTEE A+
✔✔Effect of Wind on Waves - ✔✔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.
✔✔Types of Breaking Waves- Plunging - ✔✔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 - ✔✔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 - ✔✔Surging breakers are created on very steep
beaches. The wave builds very quickly and expends its energy on the beach.
✔✔SAR Program Goal - ✔✔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 - ✔✔1) Minimize loss of life, injury, property loss, and
damage in marine environments
2) Minimize crew risk during SAR missions
3) Optimize use of resources in conducting SAR
4) Maintain a world leadership position in maritime SAR
✔✔Statutory Authority for CG SAR - ✔✔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
✔✔SAR Agreements - ✔✔International, Domestic/local, and DOD SAR
✔✔International SAR Agreement - ✔✔Formal International SAR and Informal non-
binding agreements (MOU's) which promote cooperation with other countries in
rendering assistance to distressed persons
✔✔CG Endorsed Distress Beacons - ✔✔406 Megahertz and 121.5 Megahertz
✔✔Three Emergency Phases of SAR - ✔✔Uncertainty, Alert, Distress
✔✔Uncertainty Phase - ✔✔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 - ✔✔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 - ✔✔Exists when grave or imminent danger requiring immediate
response to the distress scene threatens a craft or person.
✔✔False Alert - ✔✔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 - ✔✔Case where information is conveyed with the intent to deceive
✔✔Closing or Suspending a False Alert/Hoax Case - ✔✔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 - ✔✔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) - ✔✔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.
