Mixed Deck — All MCA COC Topics Flashcards

What is the correct response if a vessel develops an angle of loll at sea?

Answer: Move weight (ballast, water) from high positions downward to lower the G and restore positive GM — do not ballast only to the high side

To correct angle of loll, GM must be made positive by lowering G. Adding ballast low down (not high) and redistributing high weights lower reduces G. Adding water only to the high-side ballast tanks first can make the situation worse by adding free surface effect.

What is the purpose of the SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) and on which frequency does it operate?

Answer: It responds to 9 GHz radar signals with a distinctive pattern of 12 dots on radar screens to guide rescuers

A SART operates in the 9 GHz (X-band) radar frequency. When interrogated by a searching vessel's or aircraft's 9 GHz radar, it responds with a signal that appears as a distinctive line of 12 equally spaced dots on the radar display, leading from the SART's position outward. As the searching vessel approaches, the dots become arcs and eventually circles.

What is hypothermia and how is it managed at sea?

Answer: Abnormally low core body temperature (below 35°C) from cold water or air exposure — warm the person gradually, insulate from cold, and seek medical advice

Hypothermia is core body temperature below 35°C, caused by cold water or air exposure. Management: remove from cold, insulate (don't rub limbs), give warm sweet drinks if conscious, monitor airway, and seek medical advice via radio. Rewarming must be gradual to avoid cardiac arrhythmia.

What frequency does the international NAVTEX service use to broadcast Maritime Safety Information?

Answer: 518 kHz

NAVTEX broadcasts Maritime Safety Information (MSI) on 518 kHz in the medium frequency band, automatically received by vessels equipped with a NAVTEX receiver.

Under the MCA's stability criteria (based on the IMO Intact Stability Code), what is the minimum required GM for a cargo vessel in the departure condition?

Answer: 0.15 metres

The IMO Intact Stability Code (incorporated by the MCA) requires a minimum initial GM of 0.15 metres in all loading conditions. Additionally, the area under the GZ curve up to 30° must be at least 0.055 metre-radians, and the maximum GZ must occur at an angle of heel preferably exceeding 25° but not less than 25° for most vessel types.

What is the purpose of BRM (Bridge Resource Management)?

Answer: To optimise the use of all available resources (people, information, equipment) on the bridge to ensure safe navigation

Bridge Resource Management (BRM) is about effectively using all available resources including crew expertise, navigational equipment, charts, and external communications to maintain safe navigation. It emphasises teamwork, communication, and avoiding over-reliance on one person or system.

What is the 'lee shore' danger and why does it affect seamanship decisions?

Answer: A lee shore is land downwind of the vessel — being driven towards it is dangerous as the wind and sea set the vessel onto the coast

A lee shore is land on the leeward (downwind) side of the vessel. Being near a lee shore is dangerous because wind and sea are pushing the vessel towards the coast. If mechanical or sail power fails, the vessel may be driven ashore.

When calculating a ship's trim, the Moment to Change Trim by one Centimetre (MCTC) is a critical value. Which of the following factors primarily determines the MCTC?

Answer: The vessel's displacement and longitudinal metacentric height (GML).

The Moment to Change Trim by one Centimetre (MCTC) is calculated using the formula: MCTC = (Displacement x GML) / (100 x L), where L is the length between perpendiculars. Therefore, it is primarily determined by the vessel's displacement and its longitudinal metacentric height (GML).

What does STCW stand for and what is its significance for watchkeeping?

Answer: Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping — the international convention setting minimum competency standards for seafarers

STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention, 1978 as amended) is the IMO convention establishing international minimum standards for training, certification, and watchkeeping hours for commercial seafarers.

What is 'variation' on an Admiralty chart?

Answer: The angular difference between True North and Magnetic North at a given location and time

Variation is the angular difference between True North (geographic) and Magnetic North at any given point on the Earth's surface. It varies by location and changes slowly over time due to shifts in the Earth's magnetic field. It is shown on Admiralty charts.

Under Rule 13 of the COLREGs, when is a vessel considered to be overtaking another?

Answer: When coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam

Rule 13(b) states that a vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft the other vessel's beam — that is, in a position from which at night she would be able to see only the sternlight and neither sidelight. The overtaking vessel must keep out of the way until finally past and clear.

A vessel is being loaded with packaged dangerous goods in Southampton. The shipper provides all necessary documentation. Which UK regulation, implementing international codes, primarily governs the requirements for the carriage of these goods?

Answer: The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997

While the Carriage of Cargoes Regulations provide a general framework, the specific requirements for dangerous goods, including classification, packaging, and documentation, are detailed in The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997. These regulations implement the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code in the UK.

As per the guidance in the ICS Bridge Procedures Guide, who holds the ultimate responsibility for verifying and approving the final passage plan before departure?

Answer: The Master of the vessel.

While the task of preparing the passage plan may be delegated to another officer (commonly the Second Officer), the Master retains ultimate responsibility for the plan. The Master must check, critique, and formally approve the plan before the voyage commences, ensuring it is safe and comprehensive.

According to UK regulations, which legal instrument primarily mandates the requirement for a comprehensive berth-to-berth passage plan before a vessel proceeds to sea?

Answer: The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations 2020

The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations 2020 implement SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 34 into UK law. This regulation requires the master of a vessel to ensure that the intended voyage has been planned from berth to berth, taking into account all relevant information.

What action does COLREGs Rule 16 require of the 'give-way' vessel?

Answer: Take early and substantial action to keep well clear of the stand-on vessel

Rule 16 requires the give-way vessel to take early and substantial action to keep well clear. 'Early' means as soon as the crossing/overtaking situation is identified; 'substantial' means a clearly evident alteration, not a small change.

What is the MCA's required content of a vessel's Muster List?

Answer: Each crew member's emergency station, duties, life-saving appliance assignments, and actions for each type of emergency

The Muster List (or Emergency Station Bill) must list every crew member's assigned emergency station, their specific duties during each emergency (fire, flooding, abandonment), and the life-saving appliances they are responsible for.

What is a 'tropical revolving storm' (TRS) and what are the warning signs of its approach?

Answer: An intense low pressure system in tropical latitudes with circular winds exceeding 64 knots — preceded by a long, low swell and falling pressure

A Tropical Revolving Storm (hurricane, typhoon, or cyclone) is an intense tropical low with sustained winds above 64 knots. Warning signs include abnormally long oceanic swell from an unusual direction, rapid pressure fall, backing winds, and increasing cirrus cloud.

What is the purpose of a 'running fix'?

Answer: To obtain a position using two bearings of the same object taken at different times, with the ship's track run up between them

A running fix uses two bearings of the same object (or two different objects at different times) with the vessel's estimated track run up between them to obtain a position. It is used when only one charted object is visible.

What is the purpose of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and which convention mandates it?

Answer: To provide a framework for the safe management and operation of ships and pollution prevention — mandated by SOLAS Chapter IX

The ISM Code, made mandatory by SOLAS Chapter IX, provides an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention. It requires companies to develop, implement, and maintain a Safety Management System (SMS) that includes a safety and environmental protection policy, procedures for safe operation, emergency preparedness, and internal audits.

What is the purpose of a EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) in the GMDSS?

Answer: To transmit a distress signal on 406 MHz to Cospas-Sarsat satellites, providing vessel identity and position to rescue authorities

A 406 MHz EPIRB transmits to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system, which calculates the vessel's position and passes identity and location to the relevant Rescue Coordination Centre. It operates for at least 48 hours and can locate the vessel to within 5 km (or much better with GPS).