Coxswain Flashcards
Where do you find authority and responsibilities of a boat coxswain?
CIM 5000.3b
5-1-8
State 5-1-8 A. In CIM 5000.3b.
A. Coast Guard personnel who are currently certified as a coxswain on a particular type of boat by their commanding officer may take charge of the boat to perform a specific sortie or mission(s).
State coxswain responsibilities
As found in 5-1-8 B., CIM 5000.3b
B. The coxswain shall be responsible, in order of precedence.
1. For the safety and conduct of passengers and crew.
2. The safe operation and navigation of the boat assigned.
3. The completion of the sortie or mission(s) assigned.
4. Shall at all times respond, within the limits of capabilities to observed hazards to life or property and violations to law or regulations
5. Report all ATON discrepancies
State 5-1-8C. In CIM 5000.3b
The coxswain is the direct representative of the CO or OIC and as such has authority and responsibility which are independent of rank or seniority.
Coxswain’s authority and responsibility exist only when the boat is engaged on mission.
Members that can relieve the coxswain are.
1. CO / OIC
XO / XPO
2. Senior officer at the scene of distress, emergency or abnormal situation who exercises authority under article 5-1-4.
State 5-1-8 D. Of CIM 5000.3b
D. While completing a mission is secondary to ensuring safety of crew, passengers and boat. The coxswain may leave the boat if:
1. After careful consideration of remaining crew members experience level and the operational benefits clearly outweigh the risk of leaving the boat with out a qualified coxswain.
Warranted risk
Damage to or sacrifice of the boat is acceptable risk in the defense of the United States, its citizens and/or installations.
The probability of saving human life warrants a maximum effort.
If the mission has a reasonable chance of success, the risk of damage or abuse of the boat is acceptable even if it renders the boat unrecoverable.
In the case of preventing or relieving pain but there is no risk to life the boat may be damaged or abused but recovering of the boat can be reasonably expected.
saving property warrants risk of damage to the boat only if the value of the property being saved is unquestionably greater than the cost of the damage to the boat and the boat is fully expected to be recoverable.
Policy for independent firefighting
Coast Guard personnel shall NOT engage in independent fire fighting operations, EXCEPT to save a life or in the early stages of a fire.
Policy for commercial vessels and waterfront facilities fire fighting
Coast Guard personnel shall NOT actively engage in firefighting EXCEPT in support of a regular fire fighting agency under the supervision of a qualified fire officer.
General Salvage policy
We may help a commercial salvors on scene within units capabilities if the salvor requests.
When no salvors are on scene we should only engage to prevent a worsening situation or complete loss.
Salvage operations shall be performed at the discretion of the unit CO/OIC.
Small craft salvage policy
4.3.2.1 This policy applies to small craft that need salvage other than towing. However, when no commercial salvage companies are available within a reasonable time or distance, the District commander may modify the policy to provide for refloating a grounded boat which is not in peril of further damage or loss if:
(a) the Coast Guard units are capable of rendering the assistance,
(b) the owner requests the assistance and agrees to the specific effort to be made, and
(c) Coast Guard units and personnel are not unduly hazarded by the operation.
4.3.2.2
Prudent actions include:
(a) Allowing the next tide to refloat the vessel,
(b) Helping the mariner set anchors,
(c) Evacuating the passengers,
(d) Helping the mariner determine the vessel’s seaworthiness.
Operator insistence salvage policy
Occasionally an operator will insist that the Coast Guard take action, such as pulling a vessel from a reef, which Coast Guard personnel on scene consider unwise. The Coast Guard is under no obligation to agree to any such request or demand. If a decision to comply with such a request is made, it should be made clear that the operator is assuming the risk of the operation. The fact that the action is undertaken at operator’s request, and is against Coast Guard advice, should be logged.
Disabling casualties definition
Disabling casualties are those that make the boat not serviceable.
Restrictive discrepancies definition
Restrictive discrepancies are those that restrict the operations of the boat such that it can perform some, but not all, missions safely.
