STCW Watchkeeping Duties 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a night watch in open ocean, what is the recommended interval for taking manual position fixes when the vessel is on autopilot?
- Every 30 minutes
- At intervals appropriate to the navigational situation and proximity to hazards (Correct answer)
- Only at the beginning and end of the watch
- Every 2 hours
Correct answer: At intervals appropriate to the navigational situation and proximity to hazards
STCW requires the OOW to take position fixes at intervals appropriate to the navigational situation — more frequently near hazards, less so in open ocean.
Question 2: An OOW observes a vessel exhibiting two red lights over a white light at night. What type of vessel is this?
- A vessel aground
- A vessel not under command (Correct answer)
- A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver
- A fishing vessel with gear deployed
Correct answer: A vessel not under command
Two red lights in a vertical line indicate a vessel not under command (NUC), meaning she cannot maneuver and other vessels must keep clear.
Question 3: What action should the OOW take when the vessel enters a declared Emission Control Area (ECA)?
- Increase vessel speed to minimize time in the area
- Switch fuel to low-sulfur compliant fuel as required by MARPOL Annex VI (Correct answer)
- Activate the exhaust gas cleaning system only if ordered by the master
- Log the entry time and continue normal operations
Correct answer: Switch fuel to low-sulfur compliant fuel as required by MARPOL Annex VI
Upon entering an ECA, the OOW must ensure the vessel switches to compliant low-sulfur fuel per MARPOL Annex VI requirements and document the switchover.
Question 4: If the gyrocompass fails during a navigational watch, the OOW should immediately:
- Stop the vessel and call for assistance
- Switch to the magnetic compass and notify the master (Correct answer)
- Continue on autopilot using GPS heading
- Reduce speed to bare steerage
Correct answer: Switch to the magnetic compass and notify the master
When the gyrocompass fails, the OOW must immediately switch to the magnetic compass (applying deviation and variation) and notify the master.
Question 5: According to STCW, how must the OOW respond if a crew member reports a man overboard situation?
- Immediately alter course and execute a man overboard maneuver, sound the alarm, and notify the master (Correct answer)
- Reduce speed and wait for the master to arrive on the bridge
- Deploy the rescue boat first before altering course
- Only initiate a search after determining the vessel's exact position
Correct answer: Immediately alter course and execute a man overboard maneuver, sound the alarm, and notify the master
Man overboard requires immediate action: execute the MOB maneuver, sound the alarm, mark the position, and notify the master simultaneously.
Question 6: Under STCW, which party is responsible for ensuring that a vessel's navigational equipment is properly tested before departure?
- The port authority
- The ship's master and the OOW assigned to the departure watch (Correct answer)
- The classification society surveyor
- The vessel's technical superintendent
Correct answer: The ship's master and the OOW assigned to the departure watch
STCW places responsibility on the master and the OOW to test and verify that all navigational equipment is functioning before the vessel departs.
Question 7: When another vessel communicates a distress signal on VHF Channel 16 during a navigational watch, the OOW's first obligation is to:
- Switch to a working channel to avoid cluttering the distress frequency
- Acknowledge the distress signal and immediately inform the master (Correct answer)
- Contact the nearest coast guard station before acknowledging
- Continue watch duties and let the master handle radio communications
Correct answer: Acknowledge the distress signal and immediately inform the master
Upon receiving a distress signal, the OOW must acknowledge receipt and immediately notify the master, who will then direct the vessel's response.
STCW Watchkeeping Duties 5
During a night watch in open ocean, what is the recommended interval for taking manual position fixes when the vessel is on autopilot?