During watch relief, which condition should the Officer of the Deck confirm with the outgoing OOD?

The condition that the Officer of the Deck (OOD) should confirm with the outgoing OOD during watch relief is the status of ship vs shore power. This is crucial because it directly affects the ship's operations, systems, and readiness for any situation that may arise while in-port. Knowing whether the ship is on internal power or using shore power can inform decisions related to system operations, emergency readiness, and crew responsibilities.

If a ship is connected to shore power, it indicates that the generators may not be in operation, which can affect power availability for various ship systems. Conversely, if the ship is operating on its own power, the readiness of backup systems and emergency protocols should be a priority. This information is essential for maintaining continuous operational safety and awareness during the watch transition.

While the other conditions, such as crew availability, sea state, visibility, and grooming status, are important in their own respects, they do not hold the same level of immediate operational impact as the status of ship vs shore power. Thus, confirming this status assists in ensuring a safe, prepared, and effective watch transition.