Boat Crew Examinations and the Qualification Examiner (QE)

Candidates interested in the Boat Crew Program work towards attaining the classification of Crew Member and Coxswain.   A Coxswain is the individual skilled in the safe, prudent handling of the facility and giving proper direction to the Crew aboard said facility, keeping safety as a top priority.  Crew persons are skilled in the deck tasks required in safe operations, such as anchoring, towing, lookout duties, etc.

Once an individual makes the decision to work towards one or both of these positions, they will work with established mentors within the Flotilla to complete tasks as defined in the respective Boat Crew Qualification Guide (Volume I for Crew, Volume II for Coxswain and Volume III for PWCs).  Tasks within these guides require knowledge gleaned from the Boat Crew Seamanship Manual as well as other Coast Guard Publications.   Once the candidate demonstrates the requirements of the task without prompting by the mentor, then the mentor will sign off on the task. 

Once all tasks have been successfully completed to the satisfaction of the candidate’s mentor(s), the candidate stands before a Qualification Examiner (QE) to demonstrate proficiency in the skills for the particular position.  This takes the form of a Dockside Oral Exam and an Underway Check Ride.  The Dockside Oral is where the QE will ask questions regarding tasks that do not necessarily have to be performed while underway – how to operate a fire extinguisher, how to plot a position, etc.   Once the Dockside has been successfully completed, the candidate participates in an Underway Check Ride.  During this Check Ride, the candidate Crew person will be under the command of a qualified Coxswain and will demonstrate the deck skills needed to act proficiently as a Crew person, such as standing a helm watch, tossing a heaving line, recovering a man overboard, etc.  The Coxswain Candidate will be the individual responsible for the safe, efficient handling of the facility and giving proper direction to the Crew.  The Crew will be fully qualified and capable of performing all the tasks required. 

The QE is an individual with extensive experience in the tasks required for both Crew and Coxswain.  They are required to be currently qualified as Coxswain and to attend annual workshops that enhance and reinforce the skills required of the QE as well as the candidate.  They are required to judge the candidate in an unbiased manner and have extensive knowledge of and the ability to perform each and every task required of the candidate.