We encourage you (Crew or Coxswain) to practice your skills on the same Auxiliary Facility (AUXFAC) that you will use for your check ride. Whenever possible the candidate should be given a choice on which AUXFAC, they will use for their check ride.

Physical Requirements

As a candidate for Boat Crew or Coxswain you must demonstrate the skill, ability and endurance to perform all qualification tasks utilizing the process established in the appropriate qualification guide as established by the Commandant.

General Expectations

• The trainee must successfully perform each task personally, without assistance
• East task must be performed with little hesitation
• Each task must be performed with confidence
• Each task must be performed safely

The QE can cancel the check ride at any time if he/she has concerns about safety of the crew or AUXFAC. The QE is expected to make a spot check of the AUXFAC to ensure it is properly equipped and functional.

Knots

• Square Knot
• Bowline
• Clove Hitch
• Sheet (Becket) Bend
• Round Turn and Half Hitch (or two Half Hitches)

Here are some suggestions that may help you be successful with your Boat Crew check ride

• Pre-underway check: Use the pre-underway check list, but have a good working knowledge of where the equipment is located.
• Pre-underway brief: Participate in the Risk Assessment discussion (GAR 2.0) discussion. Don't be afraid to voice any concerns you might have about the assessment of Risk vs. Gain for the mission.
• Correctly don the proper PPE: You must have the required equipment: light, whistle, mirror and reflective tape in good condition attached to a SAR Vest. The PPE in the SAR Vest also must be in the proper storage compartment. Don't overload your SAR vest with personal items that interfere access to the required equipment. Make sure your strobe light works and the PPE equipment is properly secured. If in doubt, consult your Division PPE Officer.
• Handling mooring lines: When given a command, repeat the command, do the assigned task, and report that the task has a been completed. CRITICAL, when making up a line, always keep your hands and fingers a safe distance from cleats and bits.
• Stand a helm watch: You must be able to "drive the boat". When given a course and speed, find your course first, then adjust your speed. LOOK WHERE YOU ARE GOING, don't get focused on the compass and speed indicator.
• Stand a lookout watch: Report objects in relative bearings and distances in yards or nautical miles.
• Man Overboard: When you see a (simulated) PIW, point clearly until relieved, throw a floating datum if requested by the Coxswain, (discuss this procedure prior to the patrol). Be prepared for an INDIRECT PICKUP, that is, if requested, throw a rescue line to bring the PIW to the boat, or if close enough, use the HANDLE end of an extended boathook as an extension device. Brace yourself so a panicked person won't pull you overboard. Be able to deploy the boarding ladder, know where the blankets and first aid kit is, and be prepared to give an assessment of the victim.
• Towing a disabled vessel
  • Be able to communicate by voice or radio.
  • Determine the difference between disabled and distress.
  • Don't commit to towing until the Coxswain gives the command.
  • When passing a tow line, be prepared to use a heaving line or skiff hook or bridle.
  • The choice will be the Coxswains, but whatever the choice, you must be ready.
  • Report to the Coxswain when you are ready to throw, that the line has gone over, and if the throw was successful or not.
  • DO NOT place, or take a turn on your cleat or bitt until the person on the disabled vessel has the line on their cleat and has their hands free of the line.
  • Keep your hands and fingers clear while making up your tow line.
  • Keep the tow line clear of your props and report any hazards immediately to the Coxswain.
  • Keep the Coxswain informed as to the progress of hooking up the towline and any concerns on the disabled vessel.
• Tow Watch
  • Report the position of the towed vessel in relative bearings.
  • Report the towline as light, medium, or heavy strain.

  The phrase "line in the water" is not listed in our manuals, but common usage is that it means a "HAZARD" and should NOT be used to report a towline that routinely dips in the water with good catenary.

• Side tow
  • Know the towline numbers (1,2,3,4) and where they should be placed. Pass the "eye" and not the bitter end.
  • Anticipate which lines will be used, and be ready when you get a command to pass, take out slack, take a strain, and make up a tow line.
  • Place fenders properly to avoid hull contact. Have a roving fender ready for quick deployment.
• Anchoring
  • Know how to deploy the anchor. However, the AUXFAC is equipped, it is your responsibility to know the Crew's duties during anchoring. If you have to manually lower the anchor, use the hand over hand technique, don't let the line slide. Once anchored, get two lines of position (LOP) that are approximately 60 to 120 degrees, 90 being optimum. NOT 180 degrees.
  • Know the scope ratios and formula. Add the height of the gunnel to the water depth BEFORE multiplying by 5 or 7 or 10, not after. Make up the bitt or cleat from the correct direction, so that when breaking it down, you don't have the strain of the scope working against you.
  • Weighing anchor, let the Coxswain know where the anchor line is AT ALL TIMES. Don't allow the anchor line to build up under the boat. It's very important to COMMUNICATE during this procedure.

    QEs are frequently asked why anchoring is a qualification task since "we never anchor on patrol". The answer is that "if we should ever have to anchor, it will probably be under less than ideal conditions and if we didn't have it as a task, we'd never practice it".

Here are some suggestions that may help you be successful with your Coxswain check ride

• Pre-underway check and brief: Except on an initial check ride, you may delegate this to a trusted Crew, but any missed elements will still be your responsibility.
  • Make sure that all rings have been removed and other jewelry has been removed according to your Order Issuing Authority Op order.
  • Conduct a Risk Assessment for the patrol and document it per your OIC’s direction. Ask the less experienced crew their opinions first.
  • Ensure that all Crew have proper PPE/survival equipment, that it is functional and properly tethered. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • Feel free to discuss the check ride with the QE. We want you to know what we expect and for you to be comfortable. We will not try to trick you, but you must have a fundamental knowledge of navigation, search patterns, operational policies and procedures.
  • If you have a GPS with a chart plotter, clear the tracks prior to getting underway. This may help you if you are asked to do a track line search for a man overboard or missing equipment. Also, we may use the track line to assess the search pattern.
  • You may be asked to chart a course to go from point A to point B. You will have to chart on a paper chart your course, speed and time (usually, you will be allowed to do this dockside, before getting underway). You may be asked to demonstrate that you are at the location after running that course.
  • Make sure you assign Crew their duties, e.g. lookout. Communicate clearly what you expect them to do. Create an atmosphere of cooperation and not intimidation.
  • You will be required to be at the helm during most of the check ride, especially during the stern and side tow. You may have a Crew take the helm during the search patterns if you choose.
• Man overboard
  • The Coxswain should direct a crew person to throw a ring buoy with strobe or anything that floats over the side (This should be discussed before getting underway).
  • You need to demonstrate that you can do a direct pick up. You will be asked to maneuver your vessel alongside the PIW.
  • Don't forget to report (or have a Crew report) to the Station. (this can be simulated, but routine ops checks need to be made as in any patrol).
• Towing
  • The method of towing and passing the towline is up to you as Coxswain, but it needs to fit the circumstances. If you need to pass a bridle, or use a heaving line or a skiff hook, that is your choice.
  • You will need to "hold station" so the Crew can communicate with the disabled vessel.
  • If you feel that conditions are becoming unsafe, feel free to break away and make any corrections. Try to act as if the QE was not aboard. We want to see you perform as you normally would.
  • The transition from stern to side tow is also your choice. If you want to break the tow and come around, or shorten the tow and make the transition from stern to side tow, it is up to you, depending on conditions. The QE will only speak out if they feel there is a concern for safety.
• Search Pattern
  • The QE may give you a scenario that will require you to navigate to a location, make an assessment and begin the proper search (including track spacing), based on what you are searching for, (PIW, small vs large boat), good or no datum, wind and wave conditions.
  • Assign Crew duties for the search and don't get so focused on your course, speed and time that no one is looking outside the boat. DO NOT RUN OVER THE SEARCH OBJECT WHILE FOCUSING ON YOUR STOP WATCH.
  • Anchoring: The scope is up to you, make the Crew assignments and make sure the anchor line never gets under the boat. Know how to free an anchor that gets caught and the Crew can't manually lift it.
• Questions on Policies and Procedures
  • These questions may be in the form of a scenario. The QE might describe a situation and ask you how you would handle it as Coxswain. Don't get caught up in Crew duties, handle it by delegating tasks and making sure you keep the Station informed (simulated). Be prepared to give the Station your recommendation, don't just depend on their orders. Remember, you are on scene and you should know what your capabilities are.
  • If you don't understand the scenario, feel free to ask the QE Many times, as we describe something, we have a mental picture of what the hazards are, but you might be thinking of a different situation. We're not trying to trap you, but we need to know that you have a reasonable understanding of the CG and Auxiliary operational policies.
  • Answers to questions about Coast Guard and Auxiliary operational policies & procedures, such as the D9 Operating Limits for Auxiliary Facilities, do not have to be recited verbatim. However, in your own words you must demonstrate a working knowledge of the policy and how it should be applied.

Remember, the QE can and will ask you about any basic Crew or Coxswain topic during the third year check ride. Go back to your initial oral board and review tasks such as:

• Proper radio procedure
• First aid
• Basic navigation
• Basic Nav rules
• Crew duties
• Policies & Procedures

If you are in REYR for underway hours, TCT, or Nav Rules, these must be cleared before a Check Ride is given.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we’re not trying to ask trick questions, our goal is for you to pass not fail! But we also want the best qualified Auxiliary Crew and Coxswains supporting the active duty Coast Guard. Remember, when underway on patrol or for a special event, in the eyes of the public you are the Coast Guard!