OUPV Emergency Procedures and Drills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first action a captain should take when a man overboard (MOB) is reported?
- Call the Coast Guard immediately
- Throw a flotation device toward the person and assign a spotter (Correct answer)
- Stop the engines immediately
- Turn the vessel in a complete circle
Correct answer: Throw a flotation device toward the person and assign a spotter
The immediate response to MOB is to throw a flotation device to mark the location and assign someone to maintain continuous visual contact with the person in the water.
The standard MOB procedure is: (1) Shout Man Overboard and note which side, (2) immediately throw a PFD, life ring, or any buoyant object toward the person, (3) assign a dedicated spotter to point at the person continuously, (4) press the MOB button on GPS if equipped, (5) maneuver to recover.
Question 2: How should a class B fire (flammable liquids) be fought on a vessel?
- With water from a fire hose
- With a Type B rated dry chemical or CO2 extinguisher (Correct answer)
- By smothering with a cloth
- By ventilating the area to disperse fumes
Correct answer: With a Type B rated dry chemical or CO2 extinguisher
Class B fires involving flammable liquids must be fought with B-rated extinguishers (dry chemical or CO2), never with water which can spread the burning liquid.
Class B fires involve flammable liquids such as gasoline, diesel, oil, and grease. Water is ineffective and dangerous because it can spread burning liquid and cause splattering. Marine-rated B-1 and B-2 dry chemical extinguishers smother the fire by interrupting the chemical reaction.
Question 3: What should be included in a vessels emergency plan for passengers?
- Only the location of the nearest hospital
- Muster stations, PFD locations, abandon ship procedures, and distress signal protocols (Correct answer)
- The vessels insurance policy number
- A list of nearby restaurants in case the trip is cancelled
Correct answer: Muster stations, PFD locations, abandon ship procedures, and distress signal protocols
A comprehensive emergency plan includes muster stations, PFD locations, abandon ship procedures, and how distress signals will be sent.
OUPV operators must have and communicate an emergency plan covering: assigned muster stations, PFD locations and donning instructions, abandon ship procedures including life raft deployment, fire emergency response, man overboard procedures, distress signaling equipment and protocols, and the location of emergency equipment.
Question 4: What is the Williamson Turn maneuver used for?
- Docking in tight spaces
- Recovering a man overboard by returning the vessel to its reciprocal course (Correct answer)
- Navigating through a narrow channel
- Avoiding a collision at the last moment
Correct answer: Recovering a man overboard by returning the vessel to its reciprocal course
The Williamson Turn is a man overboard recovery maneuver that returns the vessel to its original track line on a reciprocal heading.
The Williamson Turn is executed by: (1) putting the rudder hard over toward the side the person fell, (2) after deviating about 60 degrees, shifting the rudder hard over to the opposite side, (3) when approximately 20 degrees short of the reciprocal heading, steadying up. This brings the vessel back along its wake.
Question 5: What is the proper way to use a visual distress signal (flare) at night?
- Fire it directly at approaching vessels
- Hold it at arms length downwind and fire it high into the air at a 60-degree angle (Correct answer)
- Fire it underwater to attract attention
- Keep it inside the cabin to preserve the signal
Correct answer: Hold it at arms length downwind and fire it high into the air at a 60-degree angle
Aerial flares should be held at arms length, aimed downwind and upward at approximately 60 degrees for maximum visibility and safety.
When firing aerial flares: hold the device at arms length to protect from hot particles, angle approximately 60 degrees above the horizon for maximum altitude and visibility, fire downwind so sparks and debris blow away from the vessel, and never fire directly at another vessel or aircraft.
Question 6: When should an OUPV operator conduct an abandon ship drill?
- Only when required by the Coast Guard during an inspection
- Before the first voyage with a new crew and periodically thereafter (Correct answer)
- Only after an actual emergency occurs
- Monthly during the off-season only
Correct answer: Before the first voyage with a new crew and periodically thereafter
Abandon ship drills should be conducted before operating with new crew members and at regular intervals to ensure everyone knows their roles.
USCG regulations and best practices require abandon ship drills before a vessels first voyage with new crew and at regular intervals. The drill should cover: sounding the abandon ship signal, donning PFDs, proceeding to muster stations, launching life rafts, retrieving the EPIRB, and radio distress procedures.
OUPV Emergency Procedures and Drills 2
What is the first action a captain should take when a man overboard (MOB) is reported?