STCW Seafarer Safety & Emergency Procedures 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A seafarer finds a colleague unconscious and not breathing in an enclosed space. What is the FIRST action?
- Enter the space immediately to begin CPR
- Summon help and do NOT enter the space without breathing apparatus (Correct answer)
- Ventilate the space for 2 minutes before entering
- Lower a rope to drag the casualty out without entering
Correct answer: Summon help and do NOT enter the space without breathing apparatus
Entering a space with an unconscious victim without BA risks a second casualty; calling for help and awaiting proper equipment is the correct first response.
Question 2: What is the correct sequence for donning an immersion suit in an emergency?
- Don the suit over normal clothing, zip up fully, then don a lifejacket on top (Correct answer)
- Remove all clothing, don the suit, then inflate it manually
- Don a lifejacket first, then put the immersion suit over it
- Put on the suit partially and complete donning in the water
Correct answer: Don the suit over normal clothing, zip up fully, then don a lifejacket on top
Immersion suits are designed to be worn over clothing, fully sealed and zipped, with a lifejacket worn on top for buoyancy.
Question 3: Which authority is responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations in a specific maritime area?
- The nearest port authority
- The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) responsible for that SRR (Correct answer)
- The flag state of the vessel in distress
- The International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Correct answer: The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) responsible for that SRR
Each ocean area is divided into Search and Rescue Regions (SRRs), each managed by a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC).
Question 4: What is the function of a hydrostatic release unit (HRU) fitted to a liferaft?
- It manually inflates the liferaft when pulled by a crew member
- It automatically releases and inflates the liferaft when submerged to 1.5–4 meters (Correct answer)
- It releases the liferaft painter line when the ship accelerates
- It sends a distress signal when the vessel sinks
Correct answer: It automatically releases and inflates the liferaft when submerged to 1.5–4 meters
The HRU activates at a water pressure corresponding to a depth of 1.5–4 meters, automatically releasing and inflating the liferaft so it floats free.
Question 5: According to STCW, which certificate is required for all seafarers before joining a vessel?
- Certificate of Competency (CoC)
- Basic Safety Training (BST) certificate (Correct answer)
- GMDSS Operator's Certificate
- Medical Fitness Certificate only
Correct answer: Basic Safety Training (BST) certificate
STCW Regulation VI/1 requires all seafarers to hold a Basic Safety Training certificate covering survival, firefighting, first aid, and personal safety.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'buddy system' during firefighting operations on a ship?
- To ensure one firefighter watches from a safe distance while the other attacks the fire
- To ensure no firefighter enters a hazardous area alone, improving safety and rescue capability (Correct answer)
- To allow firefighters to share a single BA set during prolonged operations
- To designate one crew member to maintain radio contact with the bridge
Correct answer: To ensure no firefighter enters a hazardous area alone, improving safety and rescue capability
The buddy system pairs firefighters so they can monitor each other, preventing isolation and enabling rapid rescue if one is incapacitated.
Question 7: When activating an EPIRB, on which satellite system does a 406 MHz EPIRB transmit to initiate SAR response?
- INMARSAT geostationary satellites only
- COSPAS-SARSAT medium Earth orbit satellites (Correct answer)
- GPS navigation satellites
- VHF maritime radio network
Correct answer: COSPAS-SARSAT medium Earth orbit satellites
406 MHz EPIRBs transmit to the COSPAS-SARSAT system, which uses low and medium Earth orbit satellites to detect and locate distress signals globally.
STCW Seafarer Safety & Emergency Procedures 4
A seafarer finds a colleague unconscious and not breathing in an enclosed space.
What is the FIRST action?