AB Safety Procedures & Emergency Response 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes a 'boundary cooling' technique during a shipboard fire?
- Using foam to seal the fire compartment
- Applying water to bulkheads, decks, and overheads adjacent to the fire to prevent heat transfer (Correct answer)
- Flooding the compartment with CO2
- Closing all ventilation to starve the fire of oxygen
Correct answer: Applying water to bulkheads, decks, and overheads adjacent to the fire to prevent heat transfer
Boundary cooling involves applying water to the surfaces surrounding a fire to prevent heat from spreading to adjacent spaces and causing structural damage.
Question 2: What is the correct action if a fire cannot be controlled by the initial response team within a short time?
- Continue fighting the fire with more personnel
- Evacuate the compartment, close all openings, and use fixed suppression systems (Correct answer)
- Open all windows and ventilators to clear smoke
- Flood the space with seawater from the bilge pump
Correct answer: Evacuate the compartment, close all openings, and use fixed suppression systems
If a fire cannot be quickly controlled, the compartment should be evacuated, all openings closed to limit oxygen, and fixed suppression systems activated.
Question 3: Under the STCW Code, what is the minimum rest period required for watchkeepers to prevent fatigue-related accidents?
- 6 hours rest in any 24-hour period
- 10 hours rest in any 24-hour period (Correct answer)
- 8 hours rest in any 24-hour period
- 12 hours rest in any 24-hour period
Correct answer: 10 hours rest in any 24-hour period
STCW requires a minimum of 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period to prevent fatigue.
Question 4: A vessel's bilge alarm sounds in the engine room. What does this indicate?
- The main engine has overheated
- Water has accumulated to a dangerous level in the bilge (Correct answer)
- A fuel leak has been detected
- The fresh water tank is empty
Correct answer: Water has accumulated to a dangerous level in the bilge
A bilge high-water alarm indicates that water has accumulated in the bilge to a level that could pose a risk to the vessel's stability or machinery.
Question 5: What type of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn when fighting a fire with foam?
- Chemical splash suit and SCBA
- Fire proximity suit only
- Full firefighting ensemble including SCBA, fire helmet, gloves, and boots (Correct answer)
- Standard work coveralls and a dust mask
Correct answer: Full firefighting ensemble including SCBA, fire helmet, gloves, and boots
Firefighting requires a full structural firefighting ensemble consisting of SCBA, fire-resistant coat and pants, helmet, gloves, and boots to protect against heat and toxic gases.
Question 6: When entering a potentially oxygen-deficient confined space onboard, what is required before entry?
- A buddy system with two people entering simultaneously
- Continuous ventilation, gas testing, and an attendant stationed outside with a rescue line (Correct answer)
- A 15-minute waiting period after ventilating
- A signed permit from the port authority
Correct answer: Continuous ventilation, gas testing, and an attendant stationed outside with a rescue line
Confined space entry requires continuous forced ventilation, atmospheric testing for oxygen and toxic gases, and a trained attendant outside ready to assist with rescue.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a muster list posted onboard a vessel?
- It lists the crew's work schedule for the week
- It assigns each crew member specific duties for various emergencies (Correct answer)
- It records the vessel's cargo manifest
- It shows the vessel's navigational route
Correct answer: It assigns each crew member specific duties for various emergencies
A muster list specifies each crew member's assigned emergency station and duties for situations such as fire, flooding, and abandon ship.
AB Safety Procedures & Emergency Response 4
Which of the following best describes a 'boundary cooling' technique during a shipboard fire?