Safety at Sea Flashcards

What does the acronym 'EPIRB' stand for?

Answer: Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

EPIRB stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. When activated, it transmits a distress signal via satellite that alerts search and rescue authorities to the vessel's position.

What is the first action to take if you discover a fire below decks on a yacht?

Answer: Alert the crew, close hatches and ventilation to starve the fire of oxygen, and use the appropriate extinguisher

The first actions are to alert the crew, close hatches and ventilation to reduce oxygen supply, and then fight the fire with the appropriate extinguisher. Opening hatches would feed the fire with air.

What is 'hypothermia' and why is it particularly dangerous at sea?

Answer: A dangerous drop in core body temperature below 35°C, which can be fatal and develops rapidly in cold water

Hypothermia occurs when core body temperature drops below 35°C. It is especially dangerous at sea because water conducts heat away from the body 25 times faster than air, and UK sea temperatures are cold year-round.

What is the internationally recognised distress signal using sound?

Answer: A continuous sounding of the fog signal apparatus, or repeated signals of SOS (three short, three long, three short)

The international distress signal by sound is the continuous sounding of any fog-signalling apparatus, or the SOS signal in Morse code (dot-dot-dot, dash-dash-dash, dot-dot-dot).

What is a 'grab bag' and what should it contain?

Answer: A pre-packed waterproof bag containing essential survival items to be grabbed when abandoning to a liferaft

A grab bag is a pre-packed waterproof bag kept ready to take into a liferaft. It typically contains water, flares, a knife, a torch, a handheld VHF radio, first aid kit, EPIRB, and emergency rations.

According to UK regulations, when must navigation lights be displayed on a vessel?

Answer: From sunset to sunrise and in restricted visibility

Navigation lights must be displayed from sunset to sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility (fog, heavy rain, etc.). They may also be displayed during daylight if considered necessary.