DWO Watchkeeping and Communication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When taking over a navigational watch, which action must be completed BEFORE relieving the watch officer?
- Sign the logbook immediately upon arrival
- Confirm your own position fix and verify the ship's position (Correct answer)
- Notify the master that you have arrived on the bridge
- Test the steering system to ensure it is operational
Correct answer: Confirm your own position fix and verify the ship's position
STCW requires the relieving officer to independently verify the ship's position before assuming the watch.
Question 2: What does a VHF DSC distress alert automatically transmit?
- Only the vessel's name and flag state
- MMSI number, nature of distress, and position if GPS-connected (Correct answer)
- Ship's cargo manifest and port of destination
- The master's name and next of kin contact information
Correct answer: MMSI number, nature of distress, and position if GPS-connected
A DSC distress alert transmits the MMSI, distress nature, time, and position when interfaced with GPS.
Question 3: Under COLREGS, when should a vessel in restricted visibility sound one prolonged blast?
- Every 2 minutes when making way through the water (Correct answer)
- Every 3 minutes when stopped but not at anchor
- Every 5 minutes when underway in fog
- Only when approaching a bend in a channel
Correct answer: Every 2 minutes when making way through the water
Rule 35 requires a power-driven vessel making way in restricted visibility to sound one prolonged blast every 2 minutes.
Question 4: Which watch condition requires the OOW to immediately call the master?
- A change in wind speed of 5 knots
- Sighting another vessel at 15 miles on radar
- CPA projected to be less than the minimum safe distance set by the master (Correct answer)
- Receiving a weather forecast via Navtex
Correct answer: CPA projected to be less than the minimum safe distance set by the master
The master's standing orders typically define a minimum CPA threshold that triggers an immediate call.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the GMDSS watch on DSC Channel 70?
- Routine port communications
- Continuous automated distress and safety alerting (Correct answer)
- Coordinating ship-to-ship cargo operations
- Filing voyage plans with coast guard stations
Correct answer: Continuous automated distress and safety alerting
Channel 70 is reserved exclusively for DSC distress, urgency, and safety calling — not voice traffic.
Question 6: A vessel receives an URGENCY signal (PAN PAN). What does this indicate?
- Imminent grave danger requiring immediate assistance
- A serious situation concerning safety of a person or vessel (Correct answer)
- A navigational hazard to other mariners in the area
- Routine medical advice being requested from shore
Correct answer: A serious situation concerning safety of a person or vessel
PAN PAN signals an urgent situation that is serious but does not yet require immediate rescue assistance.
Question 7: During a navigational watch, the lookout reports a light bearing 045° relative. The vessel is on course 270° true. What is the true bearing of the light?
- 225°T
- 315°T (Correct answer)
- 045°T
- 225°T
Correct answer: 315°T
Relative bearing + ship's heading = true bearing: 270 + 045 = 315°T.
DWO Watchkeeping and Communication 2
When taking over a navigational watch, which action must be completed BEFORE relieving the watch officer?