DWO Bridge Resource Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to BRM principles, what is 'fixation error' and why is it dangerous?
- Incorrectly fixing the vessel's position on the chart
- Becoming overly focused on one task or problem while losing awareness of the broader situation (Correct answer)
- Fixing a mechanical fault while underway without stopping
- Using only one navigation system instead of cross-checking others
Correct answer: Becoming overly focused on one task or problem while losing awareness of the broader situation
Fixation error causes tunnel vision, where attention locked on one issue causes the officer to miss other developing hazards.
Question 2: In BRM, the term 'closed-loop communication' means:
- Communication that is kept confidential within the bridge team
- The sender gives information, the receiver acknowledges, and the sender confirms the acknowledgment is correct (Correct answer)
- Using encrypted radio channels for sensitive navigation orders
- Communicating only with vessels ahead in the shipping lane
Correct answer: The sender gives information, the receiver acknowledges, and the sender confirms the acknowledgment is correct
Closed-loop communication verifies that orders and information are received and understood correctly, reducing the chance of miscommunication.
Question 3: Which factor most commonly contributes to grounding accidents in studies of maritime casualties?
- Mechanical failures of propulsion systems
- Breakdown in bridge team communication and loss of situational awareness (Correct answer)
- Inaccurate nautical charts
- Failure of electronic navigation equipment
Correct answer: Breakdown in bridge team communication and loss of situational awareness
Maritime accident investigations consistently identify communication failures and loss of situational awareness as the leading causal factors in groundings.
Question 4: What is the role of 'backup monitoring' in BRM during a passage?
- Assigning a dedicated officer to watch only astern traffic
- Cross-checking navigation by independent means to catch errors before they become critical (Correct answer)
- Having the master personally verify every helm order
- Using a secondary ECDIS as the primary navigation tool
Correct answer: Cross-checking navigation by independent means to catch errors before they become critical
Backup monitoring involves independent verification of position, track, and other critical data to provide a safety net against single-source errors.
Question 5: When is it most appropriate for a watch officer to use the 'challenge and response' technique?
- Only during formal drills and exercises
- Whenever verifying critical actions or orders to prevent error (Correct answer)
- Only when the master is absent from the bridge
- Only when operating in restricted visibility
Correct answer: Whenever verifying critical actions or orders to prevent error
Challenge and response should be used routinely for critical actions, not reserved for drills, as it helps prevent errors in any conditions.
Question 6: A vessel is approaching a narrow channel at high tide. The navigator realizes the passage plan assumed low tide clearances. What BRM action is required?
- Proceed as planned since high tide provides more clearance
- Reassess the passage plan, recalculate clearances, brief the team, and adjust the plan accordingly (Correct answer)
- Slow down and proceed without updating the plan
- Divert immediately without consulting the master
Correct answer: Reassess the passage plan, recalculate clearances, brief the team, and adjust the plan accordingly
Changed conditions require a dynamic reassessment of the passage plan, with all bridge team members briefed on the updated plan.
Question 7: The concept of 'shared mental model' in BRM means that:
- All bridge officers must have identical training backgrounds
- Every bridge team member has the same understanding of the current situation and intended actions (Correct answer)
- The master and pilot must agree on all navigation decisions
- All officers share the same shift schedule to ensure continuity
Correct answer: Every bridge team member has the same understanding of the current situation and intended actions
A shared mental model ensures all team members understand vessel position, hazards, plan, and roles — enabling effective teamwork and early hazard detection.
DWO Bridge Resource Management 3
According to BRM principles, what is 'fixation error' and why is it dangerous?