DWO Navigation and Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What action should the OOW take first upon detecting a vessel on a constant bearing with decreasing range?
- Immediately alter course to starboard
- Assess the situation, plot the target, and determine CPA and TCPA (Correct answer)
- Sound five short blasts
- Reduce speed to bare steerageway
Correct answer: Assess the situation, plot the target, and determine CPA and TCPA
The first step is always to assess the situation by plotting the target to determine its CPA and TCPA before taking any avoiding action.
Question 2: Under the Inland Navigation Rules, two power-driven vessels meeting head-on in a river must:
- Pass port-to-port, each altering course to starboard (Correct answer)
- Pass starboard-to-starboard if on the right side of the channel
- Sound two short blasts and pass port-to-port
- Stop and wait for a whistle signal from the other vessel
Correct answer: Pass port-to-port, each altering course to starboard
Inland Rule 14 requires head-on vessels to pass port-to-port by each altering course to starboard, the same as COLREGS.
Question 3: A voyage plan must include which of the following elements according to IMO Resolution A.893(21)?
- Crew watch schedules only
- Appraisal, planning, execution, and monitoring (Correct answer)
- Only waypoints and courses
- Arrival port procedures only
Correct answer: Appraisal, planning, execution, and monitoring
IMO A.893(21) defines voyage planning as four sequential stages: appraisal, planning, execution, and monitoring.
Question 4: When a vessel is listed as 'not under command,' which lights must it exhibit at night?
- Two red lights in a vertical line and sidelights if making way
- Two all-round red lights in a vertical line, and if making way, sidelights and sternlight (Correct answer)
- A single red all-round light and masthead light
- Two all-round white lights in a vertical line
Correct answer: Two all-round red lights in a vertical line, and if making way, sidelights and sternlight
A NUC vessel shows two all-round red lights vertically and, if making way through the water, also shows sidelights and a sternlight.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code?
- To regulate vessel speed in traffic separation schemes
- To provide an international standard for safe management and operation of ships and pollution prevention (Correct answer)
- To standardize cargo securing methods
- To establish minimum crew wage requirements
Correct answer: To provide an international standard for safe management and operation of ships and pollution prevention
The ISM Code establishes an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention.
Question 6: Which document aboard a US-flagged vessel defines the minimum manning required for safe operation?
- Certificate of Inspection (COI) (Correct answer)
- Ship's Articles
- Safety Management Certificate (SMC)
- Load Line Certificate
Correct answer: Certificate of Inspection (COI)
The Certificate of Inspection issued by the USCG specifies the minimum safe manning for US-flagged vessels.
Question 7: When must a vessel post a lookout in addition to the OOW under COLREGS Rule 5?
- Only in restricted visibility
- At all times (Correct answer)
- Only during night watches
- Only when in a traffic separation scheme
Correct answer: At all times
Rule 5 requires every vessel to maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing at all times using all available means.
DWO Navigation and Safety 3
What action should the OOW take first upon detecting a vessel on a constant bearing with decreasing range?