DWO Security and Emergency Preparedness 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under ISPS Code, what is the minimum frequency for conducting vessel security drills?
- Once every 3 months
- At least once every calendar year with no more than 18 months between drills (Correct answer)
- Once every 6 months
- Monthly
Correct answer: At least once every calendar year with no more than 18 months between drills
ISPS Code requires vessel security drills at least once every calendar year, with no more than 18 months between drills.
Question 2: A vessel receives a credible bomb threat while in port. The Deck Watch Officer's first action should be to:
- Begin a search of the vessel immediately without notifying anyone
- Notify the Master and initiate the ship's security plan procedures (Correct answer)
- Evacuate all crew to the dock
- Contact port state control only
Correct answer: Notify the Master and initiate the ship's security plan procedures
The Master must be notified immediately so the ship's security plan bomb threat procedures can be initiated.
Question 3: Which muster list requirement is mandated by SOLAS for passenger vessels?
- Posted only on the bridge
- Posted in each passenger cabin and public space (Correct answer)
- Distributed electronically to all passengers
- Kept only in the ship's office
Correct answer: Posted in each passenger cabin and public space
SOLAS requires muster lists to be posted in passenger cabins and public spaces so all persons aboard can locate their assembly stations.
Question 4: The term 'security level 3' under the ISPS Code means:
- Normal operating state
- Heightened risk of a security incident
- A security incident has occurred or is imminent, requiring exceptional measures (Correct answer)
- Post-incident investigation phase
Correct answer: A security incident has occurred or is imminent, requiring exceptional measures
Security Level 3 is declared when a security incident is imminent or has occurred, requiring the highest level of protective measures.
Question 5: What is the purpose of the Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR) maintained aboard vessels?
- Track fuel consumption history
- Provide a verifiable history of the ship's registration, ownership, and management (Correct answer)
- Record all crew changes
- Document port state control inspections
Correct answer: Provide a verifiable history of the ship's registration, ownership, and management
The CSR provides an on-board record of the ship's history including flag state, ownership, and management to aid security and identity verification.
Question 6: During a man overboard emergency at night, which action should a watch officer take FIRST after sighting the person?
- Reduce speed and plot a Williamson turn
- Throw a lifebuoy with self-igniting light toward the person (Correct answer)
- Sound the general alarm
- Alert the Master via VHF
Correct answer: Throw a lifebuoy with self-igniting light toward the person
Immediately throwing a lifebuoy with light marks the position and aids the person in the water while other actions follow.
Question 7: A vessel's Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) should be registered with which authority?
- Port of registry harbor master
- The vessel's flag state administration
- NOAA or equivalent national authority in the country of registration (Correct answer)
- International Maritime Organization directly
Correct answer: NOAA or equivalent national authority in the country of registration
EPIRBs must be registered with the national authority (such as NOAA in the US) so rescuers can identify the vessel from the transmitted signal.
DWO Security and Emergency Preparedness 2
Under ISPS Code, what is the minimum frequency for conducting vessel security drills?