Navigational Watch RFPNW Examination

Coast Guard Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW) Examination Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary duty of a Rating Forming Part of a Navigational

Watch (RFPNW) during a watch?

• Maintain the ship's engine room
• Stand lookout and assist the officer of the watch
• Prepare meals for the crew
• Perform maintenance on cargo
• Stand lookout and assist the officer of the watch

Rationale: The RFPNW's main responsibility is to assist the officer of

the watch in safe navigation, including lookout duties and monitoring ship operations. 1 / 4

• The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

(COLREGs) require lookouts to be maintained:

• Only during daylight
• Only when entering port
• At all times
• Only in fog
• At all times

Rationale: COLREGs Rule 5 requires a proper lookout by sight and

hearing at all times to ensure safe navigation.

• Which signal indicates “I am altering my course to starboard” in sound

signals?

• One short blast
• Two short blasts
• Three short blasts
• Five short blasts
• One short blast

Rationale: According to COLREGs Annex III, one short blast indicates

the vessel is altering course to starboard.

4. The primary function of radar on a ship is to:

• Control engine speed
• Detect other vessels and navigational hazards
• Provide weather forecasts
• Control ship lighting 2 / 4

• Detect other vessels and navigational hazards

Rationale: Radar is a navigational aid used to detect ships, obstacles,

and shorelines to prevent collisions.

5. When on a bridge watch at night, the RFPNW must ensure:

• Proper lookout is maintained visually and by radar
• Engine room is fully manned
• Crew meals are served
• Lifeboats are polished
• Proper lookout is maintained visually and by radar

Rationale: Safe navigation at night requires continuous lookout,

including use of radar and visual observation.

• Which light is shown on the starboard side of a ship?
• Red
• Green
• White
• Yellow
• Green

Rationale: According to COLREGs Rule 21, the starboard side light is

green.

7. When navigating in fog, the RFPNW should:

• Sound fog signals at prescribed intervals
• Speed up to maintain schedule
• Turn off the radar 3 / 4

• Ignore lookout duties
• Sound fog signals at prescribed intervals

Rationale: COLREGs Rule 35 mandates sounding the appropriate fog

signals when navigating in restricted visibility.

• Which device is used to measure the ship’s speed through water?
• Gyrocompass
• Anemometer
• Log
• Sextant
• Log

Rationale: A ship’s log measures speed through water, which is

essential for navigation calculations.

9. The purpose of a ship’s bell on a vessel at anchor is to:

• Signal meal times
• Warn other vessels
• Indicate time to crew
• None of the above
• Warn other vessels

Rationale: COLREGs Rule 30 requires bell signals for vessels at anchor

to warn nearby ships.

• Which of the following is a safe practice when handling ropes on

deck?

• Wearing loose clothing
• / 4