Shipboard Safety & Emergency Procedures Flashcards

A vessel's emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) transmits on which frequency?

Answer: 406 MHz (and 121.5 MHz as a homing signal)

Modern Category I and II EPIRBs transmit a distress signal on 406 MHz detected by COSPAS-SARSAT satellites and a 121.5 MHz signal for local homing by rescuers.

What is the MINIMUM number of persons required to lower a survival craft on a USCG-inspected vessel?

Answer: One trained crew member

Survival craft must be designed and tested so that a single person can lower them, ensuring they can be launched even if crew is reduced.

Which NFPA hazard diamond color indicates health hazard?

Answer: Blue

In the NFPA 704 diamond, the blue quadrant (left) represents health hazard, red (top) is flammability, yellow (right) is instability/reactivity.

What action should be taken if a crewmember discovers a fellow crew member showing signs of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in an enclosed space?

Answer: Call for help, ventilate the space, and do not enter without SCBA

Rescuers must not enter a potentially CO-contaminated space without SCBA; ventilate first and use proper breathing apparatus before attempting rescue.

Under CFR Title 46, a vessel's Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) must be tested:

Answer: Monthly using the self-test function

EPIRBs must be tested monthly using the built-in self-test function, which does not activate the actual distress transmission.

A pyrotechnic handheld flare has a minimum burn time of:

Answer: 1 minute

SOLAS requires handheld distress flares to burn for at least 1 minute with a luminous intensity of at least 15,000 candelas.

What is the correct order of priority for distress communications on VHF radio?

Answer: Mayday, Pan-Pan, Securite

Mayday (grave and imminent danger) has highest priority, followed by Pan-Pan (urgency), then Securite (safety/navigational hazard).