DWO Bridge Watchkeeping 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A vessel making a large alteration of course in restricted visibility should:
- Sound five short blasts to warn nearby vessels
- Reduce speed first, then alter course
- Notify the engine room and sound the appropriate fog signal (Correct answer)
- Make the alteration rapidly to minimize exposure time on the new heading
Correct answer: Notify the engine room and sound the appropriate fog signal
Before altering course significantly in restricted visibility, the OOW must inform the engine room of the change and ensure proper fog signals are being sounded.
Question 2: Under COLREGS, a vessel constrained by her draft displays which lights at night?
- Three all-round red lights in a vertical line
- A cylinder shape by day; three all-round red lights at night (Correct answer)
- Two all-round red lights in a vertical line
- An all-round red light over an all-round white light
Correct answer: A cylinder shape by day; three all-round red lights at night
A vessel constrained by draft shows a cylinder shape by day and three all-round red lights arranged vertically at night.
Question 3: The primary purpose of a lookout stationed on the bridge is to:
- Relay wheel orders to the helmsman
- Maintain a continuous watch by sight and hearing for all dangers (Correct answer)
- Monitor the radar display when the OOW is occupied
- Log weather observations every 15 minutes
Correct answer: Maintain a continuous watch by sight and hearing for all dangers
COLREGS Rule 5 mandates a proper lookout using all available means, primarily sight and hearing, to maintain full situational awareness.
Question 4: If a vessel's steering gear fails while in a narrow channel, the FIRST action of the OOW should be to:
- Sound the danger signal and anchor immediately
- Reduce engine speed and call the Master
- Switch to emergency steering and inform the engine room (Correct answer)
- Broadcast a MAYDAY on VHF Channel 16
Correct answer: Switch to emergency steering and inform the engine room
The immediate response to steering failure is to engage emergency steering and inform the engine room, then notify the Master and take further action.
Question 5: Under COLREGS Rule 16, the give-way vessel is required to:
- Alter course to starboard in all circumstances
- Take early and substantial action to keep well clear (Correct answer)
- Reduce speed by at least 50% until risk of collision is past
- Sound one short blast to indicate its intention
Correct answer: Take early and substantial action to keep well clear
Rule 16 requires the give-way vessel to take early and substantial action — not token adjustments — to keep well clear of the stand-on vessel.
Question 6: Which factor does NOT need to be considered when determining 'safe speed' per COLREGS Rule 6?
- Maneuverability of the vessel
- Background light at night from shore
- The vessel's flag state registry (Correct answer)
- State of visibility
Correct answer: The vessel's flag state registry
Flag state registry is irrelevant to safe speed; Rule 6 lists visibility, traffic density, maneuverability, background lighting, and sea/weather conditions as factors.
Question 7: The OOW observes a vessel forward of the beam showing a green sidelight and a white masthead light. This vessel is:
- Approaching on a crossing course from starboard (Correct answer)
- Approaching on a crossing course from port
- Overtaking the watch vessel from astern
- On a reciprocal (head-on) course
Correct answer: Approaching on a crossing course from starboard
A green sidelight indicates the vessel's starboard side is facing you, so it is approaching from your starboard side on a crossing course.
DWO Bridge Watchkeeping 3
A vessel making a large alteration of course in restricted visibility should: