Question

While on watch at sea you must maintain a proper lookout at all times. You are on a 200-foot cargo vessel with an unobstructed view astern from the steering position. The vessel is being hand-steered during daylight hours in good visibility and clear of any navigational hazards. The lookout may be __________.

A) the helmsman
B) the officer on watch
C) Either A or B
D) Neither A nor B

Answer 1

The lookout on a ship may be either the helmsman or the officer on watch if they have an unobstructed view and can maintain proper awareness, which corresponds to option C).

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to maritime navigation and the proper conduct of lookouts on a vessel. When maintaining a proper lookout at sea, it is critical for safety to have an unobstructed view of the surroundings. Since the scenario describes a well-equipped 200-foot cargo vessel with good visibility and no immediate hazards, it is acceptable for the helmsman or the officer on watch to act as the lookout if they can effectively maintain awareness of the environment. Therefore, the answer to the question is that the lookout may be either the helmsman or the officer on watch, which corresponds to option C).