Report Writing & Case Documentation Flashcards
7 cards from real CMI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Report Writing & Case Documentation flashcards as text
Which of the following is the correct order for structuring a formal marine casualty investigation report?
Answer: Executive summary, vessel particulars, findings of fact, analysis, conclusions, recommendations
A formal marine casualty report follows a logical progression from summary through factual data, analysis, and conclusions to actionable recommendations.
When a marine investigator must report conflicting accounts from two witnesses, the best approach is to:
Answer: Document both accounts accurately and note the discrepancy, then address it during analysis
Both conflicting accounts must be faithfully documented; the analysis section is the appropriate place to evaluate credibility and reconcile discrepancies.
The 'voyage data recorder' (VDR) is analogous to what device in the aviation industry?
Answer: The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder combination
The VDR captures bridge audio, navigational data, radar images, and AIS data, serving the same investigative function as aviation's flight data and cockpit voice recorders.
A CMI reviewing a vessel's SMS (Safety Management System) during a casualty investigation is primarily looking for:
Answer: Procedural deficiencies or deviations that contributed to the casualty
An SMS review examines whether proper safety procedures existed, were followed, and whether systemic failures in the management system contributed to the casualty.
What is the significance of including UTC timestamps (rather than local time) in a marine investigation report?
Answer: UTC provides a consistent, unambiguous time reference that avoids confusion across time zones
UTC provides a single, globally consistent time reference that eliminates ambiguity when correlating events across different time zones, vessels, or shore facilities.
When a CMI cites 'human factors' as a contributing cause in a report, which model is most commonly referenced to explain how errors occur in complex systems?
Answer: The 'Swiss cheese model' of accident causation developed by James Reason
James Reason's Swiss cheese model illustrates how multiple layers of defense with individual weaknesses can align to allow errors to propagate through a system and cause accidents.
In a marine investigation, an 'administrative record' is best described as:
Answer: The complete, organized collection of all investigative documents, evidence, and correspondence compiled by the investigator
The administrative record is the comprehensive, organized file of all materials gathered during an investigation, forming the evidentiary basis for the final report and any subsequent proceedings.