DWO Watchkeeping and Communication 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under STCW, what minimum rest period must an officer assigned to a navigational watch receive in any 24-hour period?
- 6 hours
- 8 hours
- 10 hours (Correct answer)
- 12 hours
Correct answer: 10 hours
STCW requires a minimum of 10 hours rest in any 24-hour period to ensure watchkeeper alertness.
Question 2: What action should the OOW take if the autopilot alarm sounds and the vessel begins sheering off course?
- Immediately call the chief mate to take the helm
- Switch to hand steering and apply corrective helm (Correct answer)
- Reduce speed and wait for the autopilot to self-correct
- Sound the general alarm and muster the crew
Correct answer: Switch to hand steering and apply corrective helm
Switching to manual steering and correcting the course is the immediate priority to regain helm control.
Question 3: In GMDSS, what is the purpose of an EPIRB?
- To transmit routine position reports to company offices
- To activate a distress alert via satellite when the vessel is in danger (Correct answer)
- To provide two-way voice communication on VHF in emergencies
- To broadcast weather forecasts to other vessels nearby
Correct answer: To activate a distress alert via satellite when the vessel is in danger
An EPIRB transmits a distress signal via the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system to alert rescue coordination centers.
Question 4: Which Rule of COLREGS establishes the obligation to maintain a proper lookout?
- Rule 2
- Rule 5 (Correct answer)
- Rule 8
- Rule 16
Correct answer: Rule 5
COLREGS Rule 5 requires every vessel to maintain a proper look-out by sight, hearing, and all available means.
Question 5: When using a pilot ladder, what is the maximum permissible angle of the accommodation ladder used in combination?
- 30 degrees from the horizontal
- 45 degrees from the horizontal (Correct answer)
- 55 degrees from the horizontal
- 90 degrees (vertical)
Correct answer: 45 degrees from the horizontal
SOLAS requires that when accommodation ladders are used in combination with pilot ladders, they must not exceed 45° from horizontal.
Question 6: What information must the OOW record in the ship's logbook at each watch?
- Cargo condition and temperature only
- Position, course, speed, weather, and any significant events (Correct answer)
- Crew names on watch and their rest hours only
- Engine RPM and fuel consumption figures
Correct answer: Position, course, speed, weather, and any significant events
The deck log must capture navigational data (position, course, speed), weather conditions, and any significant occurrences.
Question 7: A vessel is overtaking another in a narrow channel. Under COLREGS Rule 9, what is required?
- The overtaking vessel may proceed without signaling if there is sufficient sea room
- The overtaking vessel must not impede the safe passage of the vessel being overtaken (Correct answer)
- The vessel being overtaken must reduce speed to assist the passing vessel
- Both vessels must stop until the channel widens sufficiently
Correct answer: The overtaking vessel must not impede the safe passage of the vessel being overtaken
Rule 9 states that an overtaking vessel shall not impede the vessel being overtaken in a narrow channel.
DWO Watchkeeping and Communication 3
Under STCW, what minimum rest period must an officer assigned to a navigational watch receive in any 24-hour period?