MCA CoC Emergency Procedures & Fire Fighting

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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.

Question 2

Under SOLAS, how often must abandon ship drills be conducted?

Accepted Answer

At least once a month for all crew members on passenger vessels; at least once every 3 months on cargo vessels

Answer

SOLAS requires abandon ship drills on passenger vessels to involve all crew at least once a month. On cargo vessels, musters and drills must occur within 24 hours of departure if more than 25% of crew are new, and at least once every 3 months.

Question 3

What is the 'MAYDAY' equivalent for a vessel on fire at sea?

Accepted Answer

MAYDAY on Channel 16 — fire is a distress situation requiring immediate assistance

Answer

Fire on board constituting a threat to the vessel or persons is a distress situation. A MAYDAY call on Channel 16 (or DSC distress alert on Channel 70) is the appropriate signal. The nature of distress 'fire' can be specified in the DSC alert.

Question 4

What are the three methods of extinguishing a fire?

Accepted Answer

Cooling (removing heat), smothering (removing oxygen), and starvation (removing fuel)

Answer

Fire is extinguished by removing one or more elements of the fire triangle: cooling with water (removing heat), smothering with CO2 or foam (removing oxygen), or starvation by removing or cutting off fuel. Most extinguishing agents act on more than one element.

Question 5

What type of fire extinguisher should NEVER be used in a machinery space on board ship?

Accepted Answer

Water extinguisher — risk of electrical shock and steam explosion near hot machinery

Answer

Water extinguishers must never be used in machinery spaces due to the risk of electrocution from live electrical systems and the risk of a steam/fat explosion if water contacts hot oils or burning fuel. CO2 or foam systems are appropriate for machinery spaces.

MCA CoC Practice Test

MCA CoC Practice Test

MCA CoC Emergency Procedures & Fire Fighting