MCA CoC Marine Safety and Survival

Question 1

According to SOLAS requirements, how often must abandon ship drills be conducted on board a UK-flagged cargo vessel?

Accepted Answer

Every month

Answer

Every week

Answer

Every two weeks

Answer

Every three months

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of a thermal protective aid (TPA) carried in a lifeboat or liferaft?

Accepted Answer

To reduce heat loss from a survivor's body in cold conditions

Answer

To provide flotation assistance in the water

Answer

To signal rescue aircraft with reflective material

Answer

To protect against sunburn in tropical waters

Question 3

When launching a liferaft from a vessel in an emergency, what action should be taken if the liferaft inflates upside down?

Accepted Answer

One person should swim to the raft, climb onto the bottom, stand on the inflation cylinder side, and lean back pulling the righting strap

Answer

Puncture the floor to deflate and re-inflate

Answer

Abandon the raft and launch another one

Answer

Push the raft underwater so it rights itself

Question 4

What is the SOLAS requirement for the number of EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) to be carried on a cargo ship of 500 GT or more engaged on international voyages?

Accepted Answer

One float-free satellite EPIRB capable of transmitting a distress alert on 406 MHz

Answer

Two float-free EPIRBs, one on each side of the vessel

Answer

One EPIRB per lifeboat

Answer

No EPIRB is required if the vessel has a DSC-equipped VHF radio

Question 5

In the IAMSAR (International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue) Manual, what does the expanding square search pattern involve?

Accepted Answer

A series of straight legs of progressively increasing length, turning 90 degrees after each leg

Answer

Searching in ever-widening circles from the datum point

Answer

Parallel tracks covering a rectangular area

Answer

Zigzag courses across the probable position

Question 6

Under the MCA's requirements, what is the minimum period of validity for pyrotechnic distress signals carried on board before they must be replaced?

Accepted Answer

3 years from date of manufacture

Answer

2 years from date of manufacture

Answer

5 years from date of manufacture

Answer

They have no expiry date if stored correctly