MCA Certificate of Competency Life-Saving and Fire-Fighting Questions and Answers — 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?
- 0.5 to 1 metre
- 5 to 10 metres
- 1.5 to 4 metres (Correct answer)
- 10 to 15 metres
Correct answer: 1.5 to 4 metres
The International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code, which is mandatory under UK regulations, specifies that a Hydrostatic Release Unit must activate to release the liferaft at a depth of not more than 4 metres. They are designed to operate in a range of 1.5 to 4 metres to ensure the liferaft is freed from a sinking vessel without deploying prematurely due to wave action or heavy seas.
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?
- 9-litre Water extinguisher
- 2 kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguisher (Correct answer)
- 9-litre Foam extinguisher
- 9 kg Dry Powder extinguisher
Correct answer: 2 kg Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguisher
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguishers are the preferred choice for fires involving live or recently energised electrical equipment. They extinguish the fire by displacing oxygen and cooling, are electrically non-conductive, and leave no residue, which is crucial for protecting other sensitive electronic and navigational equipment on the bridge. Water and foam are dangerous due to conductivity. Dry powder, while effective, can cause significant collateral damage to other electronics.
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?
- Thermal Protective Aids (TPAs)
- A sea anchor
- Rocket parachute flares
- Food rations of not less than 10,000 kJ per person (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Food rations of not less than 10,000 kJ per person
The LSA Code distinguishes between SOLAS A and B packs based on the intended voyage. SOLAS 'A' packs are for vessels on long international voyages where rescue may be delayed, hence the mandatory requirement for food rations. SOLAS 'B' packs are for shorter voyages where rescue is expected to be quicker and therefore do not require food rations.
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?
- The painter must be released before activating the mechanism.
- It must only be operated when the lifeboat is fully waterborne, or if not waterborne, as an absolute last resort. (Correct answer)
- It should only be activated once the lifeboat is at least 50 metres clear of the ship's side.
- The hydrostatic interlock must be manually overridden before lowering.
Correct answer: It must only be operated when the lifeboat is fully waterborne, or if not waterborne, as an absolute last resort.
SOLAS regulations and the LSA Code are extremely clear that on-load release gear should only be operated once the lifeboat is fully supported by the water. This is to prevent the catastrophic danger of the boat being released while still suspended in the air. Operating the system before the boat is waterborne is only permissible in extreme emergencies when it is the last possible option.
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?
- An explosion-proof safety lamp
- A portable two-way radiotelephone (Correct answer)
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
- Protective clothing resistant to heat and steam
Correct answer: A portable two-way radiotelephone
The FSS Code, Chapter 3, lists the specific components of a fireman's outfit, which includes protective clothing, boots, gloves, helmet, safety lamp, axe, and an SCBA. While SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 10.10.4 separately requires that a minimum of two two-way portable radiotelephones be carried for each fire party, they are not listed as a component part of the fireman's outfit itself in the FSS Code.
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?
- 10 seconds
- 60 seconds
- 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- The release is instantaneous with the alarm
Correct answer: 20 seconds
The FSS Code (Chapter 5, 2.1.3.2), which is mandatory under SOLAS, specifies a time delay to ensure all personnel have evacuated the protected space. A minimum of 20 seconds is required to allow for a safe exit after the alarm sounds and before the asphyxiating gas is released. This provides a crucial window for escape.
MCA Certificate of Competency Life-Saving and Fire-Fighting Questions and Answers
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?