a significant amount of practice in boat handling as well as previous experience as a boat crew member. The Coast Guard does not have a dedicated coxswain rating. Any Coast Guardsman, regardless of their rating or specialty, may be additionally designated as a coxswain upon proper qualification. An advancement to boatswain's mate second class requires that the individual qualify as and maintain certification as a coxswain. A commanding officer or officer in charge of a land based unit with boats has to be certified and stay certified as a coxswain on all boats in the unit or be relieved of command. A coxswain is assigned to a boat by the command authority and can only be relieved by the commanding officer/officer in charge, executive officer/executive petty officer, or senior officer present. The coxswain's authority is independent of rank and/or seniority in relation to any other person on board the boat. Unlike the commanding officer of a cutter or ship, a coxswain does not automatically have command authority. See also Helmsman Navy boat crew References External links Originally linked as "U.S. Navy Coxswain's responses to hails". United States Coast Guard Regulations 1992, COMDTINST M5000.3 (series), Section 5‐1‐8.) Marine occupations