MCA Certificate of Competency Life-Saving and Fire-Fighting Questions and Answers

Question 1

A Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) is fitted to the securing arrangements of a davit-launched liferaft on a UK-registered ship.
At what approximate depth of water should the HRU automatically activate to release the liferaft?

Accepted Answer

1.5 to 4 metres

Answer

0.5 to 1 metre

Answer

5 to 10 metres

Answer

10 to 15 metres

Question 2

A small fire, believed to be electrical, has broken out in a control panel on the navigation bridge of a UK-flagged vessel. After raising the alarm and isolating the power, which type of portable fire extinguisher located on the bridge would be the most suitable and safe to use as a first response?

Accepted Answer

2 kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguisher

Answer

9-litre Water extinguisher

Answer

9-litre Foam extinguisher

Answer

9 kg Dry Powder extinguisher

Question 3

A UK-flagged vessel is undertaking a long international voyage. Which of the following items is required by the LSA Code to be included in a SOLAS 'A' Pack for a liferaft, but is NOT required in a SOLAS 'B' Pack?

Accepted Answer

Food rations of not less than 10,000 kJ per person

Answer

Thermal Protective Aids (TPAs)

Answer

A sea anchor

Answer

Rocket parachute flares

Question 4

During a lifeboat drill on a UK-flagged vessel, the Chief Officer is briefing the crew on the operation of the on-load release gear. What is the most critical safety instruction they should emphasize regarding its activation?

Accepted Answer

It must only be operated when the lifeboat is fully waterborne, or if not waterborne, as an absolute last resort.

Answer

The painter must be released before activating the mechanism.

Answer

It should only be activated once the lifeboat is at least 50 metres clear of the ship's side.

Answer

The hydrostatic interlock must be manually overridden before lowering.

Question 5

In accordance with the Fire Safety Systems (FSS) Code, which is mandatory on UK-flagged ships under SOLAS, which of the following items is NOT a required component of a complete fireman's outfit?

Accepted Answer

A portable two-way radiotelephone

Answer

An explosion-proof safety lamp

Answer

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

Answer

Protective clothing resistant to heat and steam

Question 6

According to UK regulations implementing SOLAS Chapter II-2, what is the mandatory minimum time delay between the activation of the audible and visual pre-discharge alarms and the release of CO2 gas into a protected machinery space?

Accepted Answer

20 seconds

Answer

10 seconds

Answer

60 seconds

Answer

The release is instantaneous with the alarm