ALCOAST 341/20 - SEP 2020 COAST GUARD DECK WATCH OFFICER (DWO) EXAMINATION PROGRAM

R 160905 SEP 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-7//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N16672//
ALCOAST 341/20
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. Parts 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
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 Chris Pasciuto at 860-701-6675 or BMCM Matthew Avery 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, 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. RDML John W. Mauger, Assistant Commandant for Capability, sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.