MCA Certificate of Competency Maritime Safety and Security Questions and Answers

Question 1

The Master of a vessel arriving at the Port of Felixstowe discovers two stowaways on board just prior to docking. According to the UK's Immigration Act 1971 and associated regulations, what is the Master's immediate legal obligation?

Accepted Answer

To keep the stowaways on board, detain them in a secure location, and report their presence to the UK Border Force and the agent.

Answer

The Master is legally responsible for preventing unauthorised persons from landing in the UK. The correct procedure is to detain the stowaways securely on board and immediately notify the authorities (UK Border Force) and the ship's agent. The shipping company is liable for the costs of detention and eventual repatriation. Unauthorised disembarkation is a serious offence.

Question 2

A UK-flagged vessel is instructed by the Department for Transport (DfT) to implement MARSEC Level 3. What does this level signify?

Accepted Answer

A specific threat of a security incident is probable or imminent, although the specific target may not be identified.

Answer

MARSEC Level 3 is the highest security level, implemented for a limited period when there is credible information that a security incident is probable or imminent. Level 1 is the normal, standard level, and Level 2 is implemented when there is a heightened risk of an incident.

Question 3

A UK-flagged vessel is transiting the designated High Risk Area (HRA) in the Indian Ocean. In accordance with Best Management Practices (BMP5), which of the following is a key recommended self-protection measure?

Accepted Answer

Reporting its position daily to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office in Dubai.

Answer

A cornerstone of BMP5 is registering with the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) and reporting daily to the UKMTO in Dubai. This allows naval forces to monitor the vessel's progress and respond if it is attacked. While a high freeboard is recommended, there isn't a strict universal rule. Military personnel are not standard, and the IMB is a reporting centre, not a convoy organiser.

Question 4

Under the UK's Merchant Shipping (Ship and Port Facility) (Security) Regulations 2004, which of the following is a primary responsibility of the Ship Security Officer (SSO)?

Accepted Answer

Undertaking regular security inspections of the ship to ensure that appropriate security measures are maintained.

Answer

The SSO is responsible for the ongoing security of the vessel, which includes regular inspections to ensure measures detailed in the Ship Security Plan (SSP) are being followed. While they oversee searches, they don't have to conduct them all personally. The security level is set by the government (DfT), and the ISSC is issued by the Flag Administration or a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO).

Question 5

The Officer of the Watch on a UK-flagged vessel with highly integrated bridge systems suspects a cybersecurity breach is affecting the ECDIS and GPS displays. Following the principles of the 'Code of Practice: Cyber Security for Ships' issued by the Department for Transport, what should be the immediate priority?

Accepted Answer

Isolate the affected systems from the ship's internal network and any external connections.

Answer

The first and most critical step in responding to a suspected cyber incident is to contain it. This involves isolating the compromised systems from the network to prevent the threat from spreading to other critical systems. Rebooting could destroy evidence, and running a scan or reporting are subsequent, not immediate, actions.

MCA CoC Practice Test

MCA CoC Practice Test

MCA Certificate of Competency Maritime Safety and Security Questions and Answers