Maritime and Marine Marine Safety and Emergency Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended action when a vessel runs aground?
- Stop the engines and assess the situation before attempting to free the vessel (Correct answer)
- Immediately apply full reverse engine power
- Sound five short blasts and await assistance
- Pump ballast overboard to lighten the vessel
Correct answer: Stop the engines and assess the situation before attempting to free the vessel
Stopping engines prevents further damage and flooding; assess hull integrity and grounding conditions before attempting to free the vessel.
Question 2: How many visual distress signals must a recreational vessel under 16 feet carry when operating at night?
- At least one electric distress light (Correct answer)
- Three red flares day/night combination signals
- One orange flag and one electric light
- No signals are required for vessels under 16 feet
Correct answer: At least one electric distress light
USCG regulations require recreational vessels under 16 feet operating at night to carry at least one electric distress light.
Question 3: What is the purpose of an EPIRB aboard a vessel?
- To transmit distress signals to satellites for search and rescue (Correct answer)
- To communicate with other vessels on VHF radio
- To broadcast weather forecasts
- To navigate using GPS position data
Correct answer: To transmit distress signals to satellites for search and rescue
An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) transmits a distress signal via satellite to the COSPAS-SARSAT system, alerting rescue authorities.
Question 4: Which type of personal flotation device (PFD) provides the most buoyancy and turns an unconscious person face up?
- Type I PFD (offshore life jacket) (Correct answer)
- Type II PFD (near-shore buoyant vest)
- Type III PFD (flotation aid)
- Type V PFD (special use device)
Correct answer: Type I PFD (offshore life jacket)
Type I PFDs provide at least 22 lbs of buoyancy and are designed to turn most unconscious wearers face up in the water.
Question 5: What is hypothermia, and at what water temperature does it become a serious risk within one hour?
- Dangerous drop in body core temperature; water below 60°F (15°C) (Correct answer)
- Overheating in warm tropical water; water above 85°F (29°C)
- Salt water inhalation causing lung damage; any temperature
- Sun exposure on deck; any temperature above 70°F (21°C)
Correct answer: Dangerous drop in body core temperature; water below 60°F (15°C)
Hypothermia is a life-threatening drop in core body temperature; water below 60°F can cause incapacitation within one hour.
Question 6: What is the HELP position used for in cold water survival?
- Heat Escape Lessening Posture — drawing knees to chest to retain body heat (Correct answer)
- High Emergency Life Position — treading water vigorously to stay warm
- Horizontal Emergency Leg Position — floating on back with legs extended
- Head Elevation and Lung Protection — floating face up with head raised
Correct answer: Heat Escape Lessening Posture — drawing knees to chest to retain body heat
HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) reduces heat loss by drawing arms across the chest and knees up to conserve core body heat.
Maritime and Marine Marine Safety and Emergency Procedures 2
What is the recommended action when a vessel runs aground?