Coast Guard Knowledge

Bow

Front of boat

Stern

Rear of boat

Forward

Aft

Beam(direction)

Port(PORT)

Left side of boat

Starboard(STBD)

Right side of boat

Athwartships

Inboard/Outboard

Length

Beam(width)

Draft

Freeboard

Gunwhale

Upper edge of a boat’s side

Hull

Body of a boat

Bulkhead

Compartment

Deck

Overhead

Ladderwell

Hatch

Bilge

17 recognized Distress Signals

• Red star shells

• Continuously sounding foghorn

• Flames on a vessel

• Gun fired at intervals of 1 minute

• Orange background, black ball and square

• SOS

• Parachute red flare

• Dye Marker (any color)

• Code flags, November over Charlie

• Square flag and ball

• Waving arms

• INMARSAT

• Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

• Electronic Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

• Orange Smoke

• High intensity white light flashing at regular intervals from 50 to 70 timers per minute

Transcom

The cross section of the stern

SECURITE

MAYDAY

PANPAN

I SPELL

ROGER

OVER

OUT

SAY AGAIN

WILCO

GOOD/BAD COPY

Channel 16

International maritime distress and hailing (156.800 MHz)

Channel 13

bridge to bridge communications (156.650 MHz)

Channel 1021 or 21a

Coast Guard Only (157.050)

Channel 1022 or 22a

Coast Guard Liaison and Marine Safety Channel (157.100 MHz)

Channel 70

Digital Selective Calling channel only, no voice communications allowed (156.525 MHz)

6 Ps of Radio Procedure

• Position – Where is the vessel?

• POB – How many people are aboard the vessel?

• Problem – What is the nature of their distress?

• PFD – “At this time, I advise all members on board to put on life jackets.”

• Picture – Description of the vessel

• Phone – Name and callback number

How do you hail a vessel properly?

• Remain formal through first contact

• [Vessel in Distress x 3], [CG Unit x 2], [MESSAGE], OVER.

• [Vessel x 2], [CG Unit], [MESSAGE], OVER.

Line

Rope

Bitter end

Free end of the line, usually the end manipulated to create knots

Standing part

the rest of the line, typically tensioned

Hitches

Tie a line to a post

Bends

Tie a line to another line

Sheet Bend

attaches two lines together of different diameter, commonly used in stern tows

Square knots

Attaches two lines of the same diameter, weak knot, must remain under constant tension to hold

Bowline

Creates a temporary eye(loop) in a line

Clove hitch

Connects a line to a post, typically used to rig fenders and hang line, should not be used to moor a vessel

Timber hitch

Self-constricting knot that connects a line to a rough-surfaced object, easy to untie even after a heavy load

What is the vessel hierarchy?

1. Not Under Command (NUC)

2. Restricted in Their Ability to Maneuver (RAM)

3. Constrained by Draft (CBD)

4. Fishing/trawling/towing

5. Sailing

6. Power-Driven Vessel (PDV)

7. Seaplane/WIG

Day Shape for Not Under Command

Ball-Ball

Day Shape for Restricted in Their Ability to Maneuver

Ball-Diamond-Ball

Day Shape for Constrained by Their Draft

Cylinder

Day Shape for Fishing/Trawling

Two cones, apexes pointed towards each other

Day Shape for Towing

Diamond

Day Shape for Sailing Vessel Being Propelled by Machinery

Cone, apex pointing down

Day Shape for Aground

Ball-Ball-Ball

Day Shape for Mine Clearance Operations

Three balls in an upside down T

All around light

360 degrees, various colors

Navigation Lights

112.5 degrees extending 12.5 degrees abaft the beam, red or green

Masthead light

225 degrees centered forward, placed along the centerline where best seen, white

Stern light

135 degrees centered on the stern, white

Towing light

135 degrees centered on the stern, yellow

What lights do all vessels making way display?

Masthead light, navigation lights (sidelights), and stern lights

What light does a vessel <50m at anchor display?

One all-around white light where best seen

What lights does a vessel >50m at anchor display?

Two all around white lights

What additional requirements exists for vessels >100m at anchor?

Must illuminate deck + show two all around white lights

What lights does a vessel aground display?

Red over red all around lights + anchor lights

What lights does a power driven vessel underway display?

Masthead, sidelights, stern light

What extra lighting is required for power driven vessels >50m?

Two masthead lights (forward and aft, aft higher if possible)

What lights does a power driven vessel <12m display?

All around white light (and sidelights if able)

What lights does a power driven vessel <7m and <7 knots display?

All around white light (and sidelights if able)

What lights does a sailing vessel underway display?

Sidelights + stern light

What optical lights can a sailing vessel display?

Red over green all around lights (top of mast)

What is an alternative lights for sailing vessels <20m?

Combined lantern at the top of the mast

What lights does a trawling vessel display?

Green over white all around lights + stern light

What additional light is required for trawling vessels >50m

Masthead light

What lights do other fishing vessels display?

Red over white all around lights + stern light

What additional light is required for fishing vessels >50m?

Masthead light

What lights indicate a vessel Not Under Command (NUC)?

Red over red all around lights

Do NUC vessels show a masthead light when making way?

No

What lights indicate a vessel Restricted in Ability to Maneuver (RAM)?

Red over white over red all around lights

What light does a RAM vessel show when at anchor?

White all around light

What extra lights does a RAM vessel show when towing?

RAM lights + towing light + additional masthead light + sidelights

What additional lights are used for dredging operations?

Two all around green lights (safe side) + red over red (obstructed side)

What must a vessel engaged in diving operations display?

RAM lights + Code “A“ flag (>=1m tall)

What lights indicate a mine clearance vessel?

Three all around green lights (foremast + both yardrams)

How close should vessels stay away from mine clearing vessels?

At least 100 yards

What lights indicate a vessel constrained by draft (CBD)?

Red over red over red all around lights

What lights indicate a pilot vessel?

Do pilot vessels show a masthead light when making way?

No

Short blast

1-2 seconds

Long blast

4-6 seconds

Bell/Gong/Whistle

Sounds signals distinct from each other