Which option describes who can sign off a member PQS on a cutter?

Which option describes who can sign off a member PQS on a cutter?

• A. At least two people
• B. OOD and EOW or TAO
• C. A division or department head
• D. The Commanding Officer

Answer: (B)

Two people who are directly responsible for the watch qualify the member, ensuring the PQS sign-off happens under direct observation in the relevant environment. On a cutter, that means the Officer of the Deck and the person in charge of the specific watch function—either the Engineering Watch Officer or the Tactical Action Officer. The OOD is the deck authority during underway operations, while the EOW or TAO oversees the engineering or tactical side. Their joint sign-off confirms the member has demonstrated the necessary knowledge and ability to perform that watch task safely and correctly in real conditions. Relying on a division head or the CO alone wouldn’t provide the practical, on-scene validation needed for PQS items, and a generic “two people” requirement misses the crucial fact that those two must be the actual watch supervisors in the relevant domains.

Two people who are directly responsible for the watch qualify the member, ensuring the PQS sign-off happens under direct observation in the relevant environment. On a cutter, that means the Officer of the Deck and the person in charge of the specific watch function—either the Engineering Watch Officer or the Tactical Action Officer. The OOD is the deck authority during underway operations, while the EOW or TAO oversees the engineering or tactical side. Their joint sign-off confirms the member has demonstrated the necessary knowledge and ability to perform that watch task safely and correctly in real conditions. Relying on a division head or the CO alone wouldn’t provide the practical, on-scene validation needed for PQS items, and a generic “two people” requirement misses the crucial fact that those two must be the actual watch supervisors in the relevant domains.