MCA CoC Marine Safety and Survival 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct order of actions when responding to a 'Man Overboard' emergency on the bridge?
- Sound alarm, alter course, inform engine room, post lookouts, deploy lifebuoy
- Release smoke float and lifebuoy immediately, sound alarm, press MOB button on GPS, begin Williamson turn or appropriate manoeuvre, inform engine room (Correct answer)
- Inform the Master, stop engines, lower rescue boat immediately
- Sound the general alarm, muster all hands, commence abandon ship procedure
Correct answer: Release smoke float and lifebuoy immediately, sound alarm, press MOB button on GPS, begin Williamson turn or appropriate manoeuvre, inform engine room
The immediate actions are to release the lifebuoy and smoke float to mark the position, sound the MOB alarm (three prolonged blasts), press the MOB button on the GPS/ECDIS to record the position, execute the appropriate recovery manoeuvre (Williamson turn if time has elapsed, Anderson turn if immediately observed), inform the engine room for manoeuvring speed, and post lookouts.
Question 2: According to the LSA Code, what is the minimum capacity required for a lifeboat on a cargo ship?
- Sufficient to accommodate 50% of persons on board on each side
- Sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons on board on each side of the ship (Correct answer)
- One lifeboat for the total complement on either side
- Two lifeboats with combined capacity for all persons on board
Correct answer: Sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons on board on each side of the ship
The SOLAS requirement for cargo ships is that lifeboats on each side of the ship must be sufficient to accommodate the total number of persons on board. This provides 200% capacity overall (100% each side), ensuring that even if one side is inaccessible due to listing, all persons can be evacuated from the other side.
Question 3: What is the primary risk of hypothermia for a person immersed in water at 15°C, and what is the approximate expected survival time without thermal protection?
- Risk of cardiac arrest within 5 minutes; survival time approximately 15 minutes
- Risk of gradual unconsciousness; survival time approximately 6 to 12 hours (Correct answer)
- Minimal risk at 15°C; survival time is indefinite with a lifejacket
- Risk of rapid heat loss leading to incapacitation; survival time approximately 2 to 6 hours
Correct answer: Risk of gradual unconsciousness; survival time approximately 6 to 12 hours
At 15°C, water conducts heat away from the body approximately 25 times faster than air. A person wearing a lifejacket but no immersion suit can expect to survive approximately 6 to 12 hours before core body temperature drops to fatal levels. Cold water shock and swimming failure occur earlier, but sustained immersion at this temperature leads to gradual onset hypothermia.
Question 4: What information must be included in the Muster List displayed on board a UK vessel?
- Only the names of senior officers and their emergency duties
- The emergency signals, each crew member's station and duties for fire, abandon ship, and man overboard emergencies (Correct answer)
- A list of passengers and their cabin assignments
- The vessel's radio call sign and MMSI number only
Correct answer: The emergency signals, each crew member's station and duties for fire, abandon ship, and man overboard emergencies
The Muster List must specify the general emergency alarm signal and all other signals, the actions crew members must take on hearing these signals, and each person's assigned duties for abandon ship, fire, and other emergencies including boat stations, fire parties, and special duties. It must be prepared before the ship proceeds to sea.
Question 5: What is the purpose of the SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) and on which frequency does it operate?
- It transmits voice distress calls on VHF Channel 16
- It responds to 9 GHz radar signals with a distinctive pattern of 12 dots on radar screens to guide rescuers (Correct answer)
- It sends satellite alerts on 406 MHz to the Cospas-Sarsat system
- It activates the ship's fire detection system on 2182 kHz
Correct 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.
Question 6: Under the MCA's Seafarer Training and Certification requirements, what is the minimum standard of fire-fighting training required for all seafarers?
- Advanced fire-fighting (STCW A-VI/3) for all ranks
- Basic fire prevention and fire-fighting (STCW A-VI/1) as part of basic safety training (Correct answer)
- Fire-fighting training is only required for engine room personnel
- No formal training is required if the seafarer has 5 years' sea service
Correct answer: Basic fire prevention and fire-fighting (STCW A-VI/1) as part of basic safety training
Under STCW Convention Section A-VI/1, all seafarers must complete basic safety training which includes fire prevention and fire-fighting. This covers understanding the fire triangle, use of portable extinguishers, breathing apparatus, fire hoses, and basic fire-fighting procedures. Advanced fire-fighting (A-VI/3) is additionally required for those with designated fire-fighting responsibilities.
MCA CoC Marine Safety and Survival 2
What is the correct order of actions when responding to a 'Man Overboard' emergency on the bridge?