ACN 148/21 - DEC 2021 COAST GUARD DECK WATCH OFFICER (DWO) EXAMINATION PROGRAM

R 231355Z DEC 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST COMDT NOTICE
BT
UNCLAS
ACN 148/21
SSIC 16672
SUBJ: COAST GUARD DECK WATCH OFFICER (DWO) EXAMINATION PROGRAM
A. Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72COLREGS) and the Inland Navigation
Rules (33 C.F.R. Parts 83 - 88).
B. Coast Guard Deck Watch Officer Examination Program,
COMDTINST 16672.5G
C. Performance, Training and Education Manual, COMDTINST M1500.10C
1. Members in receipt of orders to the following assignments shall
pass the applicable DWO exam (DWOINTO or DWINTR) after 01 July 2021
and prior to executing orders for the given
assignments in Assignment Year 2022:
    a. CO/OIC afloat
    b. XO/XPO afloat
    c. Operations Officer afloat; and,
    d. PAL-designated Operations Petty Officer afloat.
2. The new requirement to pass the exam after 01 July each year is
to ensure consistent application and compliance across the Coast
Guard.
3. Members discussed in Paragraph 1 shall make every effort to pass
the applicable DWO exam prior to attending the Prospective
CO/XO/OIC/XPO Afloat Course (340380), the Prospective Operations
Officer Course (501080) or the Cutter OPS BRM course (500686).
    a. A solid grasp of REF (A) 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.
    b. The Command and Operations School staff are no longer
administering the DWO Exam during the courses listed above.
4. 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 (B). IAW REF (C),
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.
5. Once official orders are issued, members must pass the applicable
DWO exam within two attempts if they have not passed it since
01 July 2021. 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).
6. Members requesting a waiver from attending a course in Paragraph
3 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.
7. 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.
8. The change in Paragraph 1 will be made to the next revision of
REF (B), Paragraph 13.a (1) and (2), which will be released within
the next year.
9. This message will be cancelled on 23 DEC 2022.
10. COMDT (CG-751) POC is Mr. Robert Craighead at
Robert.D.Craighead2@uscg.mil.
11. Released by RDML Todd C. Wiemers, Assistant Commandant for
Capability (CG-7).
12. Internet release is authorized.