Coast Guard Test Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the United States extends how far from the baseline?
- 200 nautical miles (Correct answer)
- 12 nautical miles
- 24 nautical miles
- 50 nautical miles
Correct answer: 200 nautical miles
The EEZ extends 200 nautical miles from the baseline, granting the coastal state rights over natural resources.
Question 2: Which federal law is the primary authority for Coast Guard enforcement of fisheries regulations in the U.S. EEZ?
- Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Correct answer)
- The Jones Act
- The Lacey Act
- The Clean Water Act
Correct answer: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
The Magnuson-Stevens Act governs fishery management in the U.S. EEZ and is enforced by the Coast Guard.
Question 3: When a Coast Guard boarding team detects a vessel not stopping after clear signals, what is this called?
- Failure to heave to (Correct answer)
- Innocent passage
- Hot pursuit
- Right of visit
Correct answer: Failure to heave to
Failure to heave to occurs when a vessel refuses to stop after a lawful order, and it is itself a federal offense.
Question 4: The doctrine allowing pursuit of a fleeing vessel from a nation's waters onto the high seas is known as what?
- Hot pursuit (Correct answer)
- Innocent passage
- Freedom of navigation
- Force majeure
Correct answer: Hot pursuit
Hot pursuit permits continuous chase of a violating vessel beginning in a state's waters and continuing onto the high seas until interrupted.
Question 5: During a boarding, use of force by Coast Guard members must always be what?
- Reasonable and proportional to the threat (Correct answer)
- The maximum available
- Avoided in all circumstances
- Left entirely to the crew's discretion
Correct answer: Reasonable and proportional to the threat
Coast Guard use-of-force policy requires force to be reasonable and proportional to the threat encountered.
Question 6: A vessel flying no flag and claiming no nationality when boarded is classified as what?
- A stateless vessel (Correct answer)
- A vessel in innocent passage
- A privileged vessel
- A sovereign vessel
Correct answer: A stateless vessel
A stateless vessel claims no nationality and may be subject to boarding and jurisdiction by any nation.
Question 7: The Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (MDLEA) primarily targets what activity?
- Drug trafficking aboard vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction (Correct answer)
- Illegal fishing
- Oil pollution
- Immigration violations
Correct answer: Drug trafficking aboard vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction
The MDLEA makes it unlawful to possess or distribute controlled substances aboard vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction.
The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the United States extends how far from the baseline?