ALCOAST 362/18 - OCT 2018 COAST GUARD DECK WATCH OFFICER (DWO) EXAMINATION PROGRAM

R 161643 OCT 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-7//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N16672//
ALCOAST 362/18
COMDTNOTE 16672
SUBJ:  COAST GUARD DECK WATCH OFFICER (DWO) EXAMINATION PROGRAM
A. Coast Guard Deck Watch Officer Examination Program, COMDTINST 16672.5 (series)
B. Performance, Training and Education Manual, COMDTINST M1500.10 (series)
C. Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea,
1972 (72COLREGS) and the Inland Navigation Rules (33 C.F.R. 83 - 88)
1. Members in receipt of orders to the following assignments are required to
have passed the applicable DWO exam (DWOINTO or DWINTR) within one year prior
to executing orders:
   A. CO/OIC afloat, Station CO/OIC, Aids to Navigation Team (ANT) OIC
   B. XO/XPO afloat, Station XO/XPO, ANT XPO
   C. Operations Officer afloat
   D. PAL-designated Operations Petty Officer afloat
2. Members discussed in Paragraph 1 shall:
   A. If in receipt of orders to an afloat unit, make a reasonable effort to pass
the applicable DWO exam prior to attending Prospective CO/XO/OIC/XPO Afloat
Course (340380), Prospective Operations Officer Course (501080), or Cutter OPS
BRM (500686).
   B. If in receipt of orders to an ANT or Station, make a reasonable effort to
pass the applicable DWO exam prior to attending the Boat Forces Command Cadre
Course (230277) if course attendance occurs before or in conjunction with PCS
transfer.
3. Prior to receiving official orders, members may take the applicable DWO exam
multiple times without repercussion, subject to the provision in Paragraph
10.a(2) of REF (A). IAW REF (B), members are reminded of the 21 calendar day
waiting period between each attempt at taking end of course tests. The DWO exam
is subject to this policy.
   A. Once official orders are issued, members must pass the applicable DWO exam
within two attempts if they have not passed it within a year of the date the orders
will be executed; failure to do so will result in the cancellation of orders.
If a member fails to meet this requirement, commands shall immediately notify
COMDT (CG-751) for those with orders to afloat units or COMDT (CG-731) for those
with orders to an ANT or Station.
   B. If a member passes the applicable DWO exam as outlined in Paragraph 1 and it
is not reflected in the member’s Direct Access profile prior to attending a course
listed in Paragraph 2.A. or 2.B. of this ALCOAST, the member must provide proof of
completion on the first day of that course.
   C. A solid grasp of REF (C) is essential to maximizing a member's experience
throughout the time at these courses. Passing the applicable DWO exam prior to
attendance demonstrates a working knowledge of the Navigation Rules and provides
expanded opportunity to explore the Rules' practical application in seminar and
simulator use. Members who do not meet the requirement in Paragraph 1 prior to
attending a course in Paragraph 2.A. or 2.B. of this ALCOAST shall contact the
Command and Operations School to coordinate the scheduling and proctoring of the
applicable DWO exam. Contact CDR Marc Brandt at 860-701-6675 or BMCM Jay Galazin
at 860-701-6476.
4. Members requesting a waiver from attending a course in Paragraph 2 shall provide
proof that they have met the requirements in Paragraph 1 to COMDT (CG-751) for
those with orders to afloat units or COMDT (CG-731) for those with orders to an
ANT or Station. Waiver requests submitted without proof of meeting the requirements
in Paragraph 1 will be denied.
5. Currently, COMDT (CG-NAV) and COMDT (CG-751) are collecting DWO Exam question challenges.
Please e-mail DWO Exam question challenges and other DWO Exam issues to cgnav@uscg.mil.
6. COMDT (CG-751) POC: Mr. Dennis Thorseth at 202-372-2335 or Dennis.C.Thorseth@uscg.mil.
7. COMDT (CG-731) POC: CDR Michael Keane at 202-372-2453 or Michael.A.Keane@uscg.mil.
8. RDML Michael P. Ryan, Assistant Commandant for Capability, sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.