AB Deck Safety and Pollution Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Your vessel is taking on fuel (bunkering) from a shore facility. Which of the following is a critical pollution prevention measure that must be taken BEFORE the transfer begins?
- Ensure the vessel's fire-fighting equipment is certified and ready.
- Verify the quantity and grade of the fuel being delivered.
- Plug all deck scuppers and have spill response equipment ready. (Correct answer)
- Confirm the communication method with the facility's person-in-charge.
Correct answer: Plug all deck scuppers and have spill response equipment ready.
Plugging all deck scuppers is a primary containment measure to prevent any spilled fuel from escaping overboard into the water. Having the Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) spill kit readily available ensures an immediate response can be mounted if a spill does occur. While the other options are important safety and operational checks, physically containing a potential spill on deck is a direct pollution prevention action.
Question 2: Under MARPOL Annex V, which of the following types of garbage is strictly prohibited from being discharged into the sea at any time or location?
- Food waste ground to less than 25mm
- Dunnage and other floating packing materials
- Plastics, including synthetic ropes and fishing nets (Correct answer)
- Cargo residues that are not harmful to the marine environment
Correct answer: Plastics, including synthetic ropes and fishing nets
MARPOL Annex V establishes a general prohibition on the discharge of all garbage unless expressly allowed. Plastics, in any form, are completely banned from discharge anywhere at sea due to their persistence and severe harm to marine life. The other listed items may be discharged under specific conditions related to the ship's distance from land and whether it is in a designated 'Special Area'.
Question 3: A fellow crew member has collapsed after entering a recently opened ballast tank. As the first person on the scene, what is your most important immediate action?
- Immediately enter the space to pull the crew member to safety.
- Activate the ship's general alarm and inform the bridge. (Correct answer)
- Lower a breathing apparatus down to the collapsed crew member.
- Begin ventilating the space with a portable blower.
Correct answer: Activate the ship's general alarm and inform the bridge.
The crew member has likely succumbed to a hazardous atmosphere (oxygen deficiency or toxic gas). The primary rule of enclosed space rescue is to never enter without proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and a standby person, as you would likely become a second victim. The most critical first step is to raise the alarm to summon the trained and equipped rescue team and inform the ship's command.
Question 4: Which of the following is required to be part of a vessel's Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) equipment locker?
- A stock of fresh water and emergency rations.
- Spare parts for the main engine fuel pump.
- Fire-fighting equipment including hoses and nozzles.
- Absorbent pads, containment booms, and personal protective equipment (PPE). (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Absorbent pads, containment booms, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
A SOPEP locker must contain equipment specifically for responding to an oil spill. This includes materials to absorb oil (pads, rolls), contain the spill (booms, socks), and protect the responders (PPE like gloves and goggles). While other equipment is vital for the ship, it is not part of the dedicated oil spill response inventory mandated by the SOPEP.
Question 5: To minimize the risk of slips, trips, and falls on deck, which of the following is the BEST practice?
- Painting the entire deck with high-visibility yellow paint.
- Wearing sunglasses to reduce glare from the water.
- Ensuring all personnel wear steel-toed boots at all times.
- Maintaining clear walkways and promptly cleaning up any spills. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Maintaining clear walkways and promptly cleaning up any spills.
Good housekeeping is a fundamental principle of deck safety. Keeping decks, walkways, and passages clear of equipment, ropes, and debris removes trip hazards. Promptly cleaning up any liquid spills (oil, water, fish slime, etc.) mitigates slip hazards. While proper PPE like non-slip boots is important, preventing the hazard in the first place is the most effective measure.
Question 6: According to U.S. regulations and MARPOL Annex V, which of the following vessels is required to have and implement a written Garbage Management Plan?
- Any vessel over 26 feet in length.
- All documented commercial fishing vessels.
- Oceangoing vessels of 100 gross tons and above or those certified to carry 15 or more persons. (Correct answer)
- Only tankers and vessels carrying hazardous materials.
Correct answer: Oceangoing vessels of 100 gross tons and above or those certified to carry 15 or more persons.
Regulations require that every ship of 100 gross tonnage and above, and every ship which is certified to carry 15 or more persons, shall carry a Garbage Management Plan. Recent amendments have updated these requirements. The plan details the procedures for collecting, processing, storing, and disposing of garbage.
AB Deck Safety and Pollution Questions and Answers
Your vessel is taking on fuel (bunkering) from a shore facility.
Which of the following is a critical pollution prevention measure that must be taken BEFORE the transfer begins?