DWO Emergency Procedures & Safety 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the DWO's role during a man overboard (MOB) emergency?
- Sound the alarm, execute the appropriate recovery maneuver, post lookouts, and coordinate rescue (Correct answer)
- Continue on course and radio for help from other vessels
- Only inform the captain without taking immediate action
- Reduce speed and wait for instructions
Correct answer: Sound the alarm, execute the appropriate recovery maneuver, post lookouts, and coordinate rescue
The DWO must immediately sound the MOB alarm, deploy a life buoy, execute the Williamson turn or appropriate recovery maneuver, post lookouts, and coordinate the rescue effort.
Question 2: What is the Williamson Turn used for?
- A ship maneuvering technique to return to the exact point where a person fell overboard (Correct answer)
- A method for docking the vessel at a pier
- A technique for avoiding icebergs
- A formation used by naval vessels during exercises
Correct answer: A ship maneuvering technique to return to the exact point where a person fell overboard
The Williamson Turn puts the ship's rudder hard over, then shifts to the opposite side, bringing the vessel back along its original track to the point where the person entered the water.
Question 3: What information must be included in a distress (MAYDAY) call?
- Vessel name, position, nature of distress, number of persons aboard, and assistance required (Correct answer)
- Only the vessel's name
- Only the position coordinates
- The captain's personal phone number
Correct answer: Vessel name, position, nature of distress, number of persons aboard, and assistance required
A MAYDAY call must include vessel identification, MMSI, position, nature of distress, type of assistance required, number of persons aboard, and any other relevant information.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS)?
- To silently alert shore authorities of a security threat without alerting the attackers aboard (Correct answer)
- A public address system for announcing security drills
- A system that automatically locks all doors during an emergency
- An alarm that alerts the crew to abandon ship
Correct answer: To silently alert shore authorities of a security threat without alerting the attackers aboard
SSAS allows a ship under threat (piracy, terrorism) to send a covert distress alert to shore authorities without alerting the attackers, enabling response coordination without escalating the situation.
Question 5: What are the DWO's responsibilities regarding fire detection and response?
- Monitor fire detection systems, raise the alarm, contain and fight the fire, and prepare for evacuation if necessary (Correct answer)
- Only evacuate the bridge and wait for firefighters
- Turn off the fire detection system to stop the alarm
- Lock all fire doors and return to navigation duties
Correct answer: Monitor fire detection systems, raise the alarm, contain and fight the fire, and prepare for evacuation if necessary
The DWO must monitor fire detection systems, immediately raise the alarm upon detection, activate fire suppression systems, direct firefighting efforts, and prepare for abandonment if the fire cannot be controlled.
Question 6: What is GMDSS and what role does it play in maritime emergencies?
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System — an automated communication system for distress alerting and safety information (Correct answer)
- A global mapping and direction sensing system
- A general maintenance and damage survey system
- A government maritime department support service
Correct answer: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System — an automated communication system for distress alerting and safety information
GMDSS is an internationally coordinated system using satellite and terrestrial communications to ensure rapid, automated distress alerting and maritime safety information dissemination regardless of sea area.
DWO Emergency Procedures & Safety 1
What is the DWO's role during a man overboard (MOB) emergency?