Mate Practice Examination Questions

Coast Guard Boatswain (Boatswain’s Mate) Practice Examination Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary responsibility of the coxswain during small-boat

operations?

• Maintaining engine logs
• Safe navigation and control of the vessel
• Performing maintenance on deck gear
• Operating communications equipment

Answer: B

Rationale: The coxswain holds ultimate responsibility for the boat’s safe

handling and navigation regardless of who is at the helm.

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• Which knot is best for securing a line to a post or ring when a quick-

release is needed?

• Reef knot
• Sheet bend
• Bowline
• Slip clove hitch

Answer: D

Rationale: The slip clove hitch is designed for fast attachment and rapid

release under light to medium loads.

• The most accurate method for determining a vessel's position when two

prominent objects are visible is:

• Estimated position
• Dead reckoning
• Cross bearings
• Running fix

Answer: C

Rationale: Taking simultaneous bearings on two known objects provides a

precise fix.

• What is the primary purpose of the bitter end on an anchor rode? 2 / 4

• Prevent rust
• Secure the rode to the vessel
• Reduce chafing
• Mark chain length

Answer: B

Rationale: The bitter end attaches the rode internally, preventing

accidental loss of all scope.

• Which line handling command means to slack off gradually?
• Take a strain
• Avast
• Ease
• Check

Answer: C

Rationale: “Ease” instructs personnel to slack the line slowly under

controlled conditions.

• What tool is commonly used to splice wire rope?
• Fid
• Marlinspike
• Prying bar
• Belaying pin 3 / 4

Answer: B

Rationale: A marlinspike provides leverage for opening wire strands during

splicing.

7. The term “freeboard” refers to:

• Waterline to keel
• Waterline to main deck
• Depth of draft
• Beam width

Answer: B

Rationale: Freeboard is the vertical distance from the waterline to the

upper deck edge.

• What type of buoy displays red and green horizontally split coloration?
• Can buoy
• Preferred channel marker
• Safe water buoy
• Isolated danger buoy

Answer: B

Rationale: Preferred channel marks show the main channel preference

using horizontal color patterns.

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