DWO Emergency Response 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a vessel's fire detection system activates, what is the Deck Watch Officer's FIRST action?
- Sound the general alarm and notify the master (Correct answer)
- Proceed immediately to the fire location
- Activate the CO2 system for the affected space
- Muster all crew at lifeboat stations
Correct answer: Sound the general alarm and notify the master
The DWO must sound the general alarm and notify the master before any other action to ensure proper command and crew mobilization.
Question 2: Under SOLAS, what is the maximum time allowed to launch a lifeboat during a scheduled drill?
- 5 minutes (Correct answer)
- 10 minutes
- 15 minutes
- 30 minutes
Correct answer: 5 minutes
SOLAS requires that lifeboats be capable of being launched and in the water within 5 minutes of the abandon-ship signal.
Question 3: A crew member is found unconscious in an enclosed space. The DWO should FIRST:
- Don SCBA before entering the space (Correct answer)
- Drag the victim out immediately
- Enter and check the victim's pulse
- Administer CPR from outside the space
Correct answer: Don SCBA before entering the space
Entering a potentially oxygen-deficient or toxic atmosphere without SCBA could incapacitate the rescuer, compounding the emergency.
Question 4: Which communication system is required to be tested before entering port under 33 CFR?
- Whistle and bell
- EPIRB and SART
- VHF radio channels 16 and 22A (Correct answer)
- Ship-to-shore telephone
Correct answer: VHF radio channels 16 and 22A
VHF channel 16 is the international distress and calling frequency; channel 22A is used for communication with the US Coast Guard.
Question 5: During a man overboard emergency at night, which light should be thrown to the victim immediately?
- A self-igniting lifebuoy light attached to the lifebuoy (Correct answer)
- A red flare from the distress kit
- A flashlight from the bridge
- A white smoke signal
Correct answer: A self-igniting lifebuoy light attached to the lifebuoy
A self-igniting light attached to a lifebuoy activates on water contact, marking the victim's position and providing visibility.
Question 6: What does the acronym PASS stand for in firefighting technique?
- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Correct answer)
- Position, Assess, Spray, Secure
- Prepare, Advance, Suppress, Secure
- Pull, Advance, Spray, Stop
Correct answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
PASS — Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side — is the standard portable extinguisher technique.
Question 7: A vessel experiences a sudden list to port after striking an object. The DWO should FIRST:
- Sound watertight integrity alarm and begin damage control procedures (Correct answer)
- Order all crew to the starboard side to correct the list
- Immediately release ballast from port tanks
- Activate the abandon-ship signal
Correct answer: Sound watertight integrity alarm and begin damage control procedures
Sounding the alarm and initiating damage control assesses the flooding situation and prevents further deterioration before other measures are taken.
DWO Emergency Response 2
When a vessel's fire detection system activates, what is the Deck Watch Officer's FIRST action?