ALCOAST 299/19 - SEP 2019 COAST GUARD DECK WATCH OFFICER (DWO) EXAMINATION PROGRAM

R 191519 SEP 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-7//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N16672//
ALCOAST 299/19
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.
    b. XO/XPO afloat.
    c. Operations Officer afloat.
    d. PAL-designated Operations Petty Officer afloat.
2. Members discussed in Paragraph 1 shall 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).
3. Prior to receiving official orders, members may take the applicable DWO exam multiple
times without repercussion subject to the provision in Paragraph 11.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).
    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 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 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 James Hines 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). Waiver
requests submitted without proof of meeting the requirements in Paragraph 1 will
be denied.
5. Currently, COMDTs (CG-NAV) and (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. RDML Matthew W. Sibley, Assistant Commandant for Capability, sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.