USCG Exam PracticeWatch duties, terminology, and instrumentation
An oiler on watch notices that lube-oil temperature has been rising slowly over the past hour but has not yet reached the alarm setpoint. What is the correct action?
- A. Continue monitoring and record the reading at the next scheduled log interval
- ✓ Investigate the trend and report it up the chain without waiting for an alarmCorrect
- C. Secure the affected machinery immediately to prevent damage
- D. Reset the alarm setpoint to match the current reading and continue the watch
Why B is correct
NAVEDTRA 14104 §1-2 states that trends matter more than single readings and that a temperature slowly drifting off normal is an early warning of a developing failure; a good watchstander catches it before an alarm does. Any reading outside its normal band is investigated and reported, not simply written down. Waiting for the alarm or merely logging the reading without action is contrary to proper watchstanding.
Cited:NAVEDTRA 14104 §1-2