Ship Driver Safety Practices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a man-overboard (MOB) button on the GPS/chartplotter?
- To mark the exact position where a person fell into the water (Correct answer)
- To sound a fire alarm
- To shut down the engine
- To deploy the anchor automatically
Correct answer: To mark the exact position where a person fell into the water
The MOB button instantly logs the vessel's position so the crew can return to the spot where the person was lost.
Question 2: Before getting underway, what is the recommended minimum number of working bilge pumps a small commercial vessel should have?
- At least one manual and one powered pump (Correct answer)
- No pumps are required
- Only a single manual pump
- Pumps are optional if you have a bucket
Correct answer: At least one manual and one powered pump
Redundancy with both a manual and a powered bilge pump ensures dewatering capacity if one fails.
Question 3: What does a single prolonged blast of the ship's whistle indicate when leaving a berth or in restricted visibility?
- A vessel getting underway or a power-driven vessel signal in fog (Correct answer)
- A man overboard
- An abandon-ship order
- A request for a tug
Correct answer: A vessel getting underway or a power-driven vessel signal in fog
A prolonged blast warns others that a vessel is getting underway or is a power-driven vessel making way in reduced visibility.
Question 4: Which fire class involves flammable liquids such as fuel and oil?
- Class B (Correct answer)
- Class A
- Class C
- Class D
Correct answer: Class B
Class B fires involve flammable liquids and gases like fuel, oil, and grease.
Question 5: What should you do FIRST if you detect the smell of fuel vapors in the engine compartment?
- Do not start the engine and ventilate the space (Correct answer)
- Start the engine immediately to burn it off
- Turn on the cabin lights
- Ignore it if the boat is moving
Correct answer: Do not start the engine and ventilate the space
Fuel vapors can explode, so avoid any ignition source and ventilate the bilge before starting.
Question 6: How often should a vessel's emergency drills (fire, abandon ship) typically be practiced with the crew?
- Regularly, on a scheduled basis (Correct answer)
- Only once when the vessel is new
- Never, to avoid panic
- Only after an actual emergency
Correct answer: Regularly, on a scheduled basis
Regular scheduled drills keep the crew prepared and proficient for real emergencies.
Question 7: What is the correct response when your vessel runs aground softly on a sandbar?
- Stop the engine, check for damage and leaks, then assess refloating (Correct answer)
- Apply full throttle in reverse immediately
- Jump overboard to push the boat
- Drop all passengers off the bow
Correct answer: Stop the engine, check for damage and leaks, then assess refloating
Stopping and checking for hull damage and flooding prevents worsening the situation before attempting to refloat.
Ship Driver Safety Practices 2
What is the primary purpose of a man-overboard (MOB) button on the GPS/chartplotter?