AB Safety Procedures & Emergency Response 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a vessel sounds one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts, what does this signal indicate?
- The vessel is aground
- The vessel is not under command
- A vessel restricted in ability to maneuver
- A vessel engaged in towing (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A vessel engaged in towing
One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts is the fog signal for a vessel engaged in towing or pushing another vessel.
Question 2: Which type of immersion suit must be donned within how many seconds according to SOLAS requirements?
- 30 seconds
- 60 seconds (Correct answer)
- 90 seconds
- 120 seconds
Correct answer: 60 seconds
SOLAS requires that an immersion suit must be capable of being donned in not more than 2 minutes (some older standards reference 60 seconds for certain suits).
Question 3: What is the correct sequence when using a portable fire extinguisher?
- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Correct answer)
- Aim, Pull, Squeeze, Sweep
- Pull, Squeeze, Aim, Sweep
- Sweep, Aim, Pull, Squeeze
Correct answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
The PASS technique stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.
Question 4: A crew member discovers a fire in the engine room. What is the FIRST action they should take?
- Attempt to fight the fire alone
- Close all watertight doors
- Sound the alarm and notify the bridge (Correct answer)
- Retrieve the nearest CO2 extinguisher
Correct answer: Sound the alarm and notify the bridge
The first priority upon discovering any fire is to sound the alarm and notify the bridge so the crew can be mustered and emergency response can begin.
Question 5: What does the term 'dead ship condition' mean in emergency procedures?
- A vessel that has run aground
- A vessel with no operational propulsion, steering, or auxiliary systems (Correct answer)
- A vessel that has lost its anchor
- A vessel with a flooded engine room
Correct answer: A vessel with no operational propulsion, steering, or auxiliary systems
A dead ship condition refers to a vessel where the main propulsion, steering machinery, and essential auxiliaries are all inoperable.
Question 6: Which class of fire involves flammable metals such as magnesium or sodium?
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C
- Class D (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Class D
Class D fires involve combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, sodium, and potassium, which require specialized dry powder agents.
Question 7: When abandoning ship in cold water, what position should survivors assume to conserve body heat?
- Spread-eagle float position
- HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) (Correct answer)
- Treading water vigorously
- Swimming toward the nearest vessel
Correct answer: HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture)
The HELP position involves drawing knees to the chest and crossing arms over the chest to protect the high heat-loss areas of the body.
AB Safety Procedures & Emergency Response 2
When a vessel sounds one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts, what does this signal indicate?