Tanker Familiarization Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Tanker Familiarization facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which regulation prohibits the discharge of garbage, including plastic, from ships anywhere at sea? → MARPOL Annex V
2. What does a 'safety relief valve' on a tanker cargo tank do? → Automatically vents excess pressure to prevent tank structural failure
3. When carrying heated cargo (such as heavy fuel oil), what risk must be carefully managed in the cargo tanks? → Thermal expansion causing overflow or excessive pressure
4. During cargo loading, a high-level alarm activates on a tanker's tank gauging system. What is the CORRECT immediate response? → Stop cargo transfer immediately and investigate before resuming
5. On a product tanker, what does a 'deep-well pump' refer to? → A submersible pump mounted inside the cargo tank
6. Which type of fire suppression system is most commonly used in tanker cargo pump rooms? → CO2 or fixed foam system
7. According to SOLAS, inert gas systems are required on tankers with a minimum deadweight tonnage (DWT) of: → 20,000 DWT
8. What is the minimum oxygen content in a cargo tank atmosphere that defines the flammable range lower explosive limit (LEL) concern? → Above 11% oxygen
9. Cargo residue from a Category X noxious liquid substance (NLS) must be handled how before a tanker can load a new cargo? → Discharged only to a port reception facility before washing
10. What is the primary purpose of an FSO (Floating Storage and Offloading) unit? → To store produced oil offshore and transfer it to shuttle tankers
11. Which tanker type is most commonly used to transport refined products such as gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel? → Product tanker
12. What is the purpose of the foam fire-fighting system on a tanker's cargo deck? → To smother deck fires involving flammable liquid cargo
13. How do Moss-type (spherical) LNG tanks differ from membrane tanks? → Moss tanks are self-supporting spheres that stand independently inside the cargo holds
14. What is the recommended practice for a tanker's cargo pump room ventilation before entering for inspection? → Run ventilation for at least 10 minutes and test for flammable gas and oxygen levels
15. On a tanker, what does 'MFAG' stand for and how is it used? → Medical First Aid Guide — used to treat crew exposed to toxic cargo vapors
16. Which of the following valve types is designed specifically to prevent the backflow of cargo in a pipeline, operating automatically without external actuation? → Check valve
17. What does a pressure/vacuum (P/V) valve on a cargo tank protect against? → Both excessive over-pressure and excessive vacuum within the cargo tank
18. What is the purpose of the Ballast Water Management Convention? → To prevent the spread of harmful aquatic species through ballast water discharge
19. What is the purpose of a muster drill (emergency drill) conducted under SOLAS requirements on a tanker? → To ensure crew can respond effectively to emergencies through practiced procedures
20. During a cargo overflow emergency, after stopping the cargo pump, what is the NEXT immediate priority? → Close all relevant cargo valves
21. What is the primary purpose of an inert gas system on a tanker? → To prevent explosive mixtures from forming in cargo tanks
22. What is 'topping up' in the context of tanker inert gas operations? → Adding inert gas to maintain positive pressure and correct oxygen levels in tanks
23. What does the SOLAS regulation require regarding fire drills on tankers? → Fire drills must be held at least once a month
24. What is the primary purpose of a safety harness worn during tanker cargo operations? → To allow rescue from confined spaces and prevent falls
25. What does 'ship's contingency plan' (also called SOPEP or SMPEP) primarily address? → Oil and noxious liquid substance pollution emergencies
26. Which safety device should always be worn by crew members during an emergency evacuation? → A life jacket
27. Which international regulation phased out single-hull crude oil tankers above 5,000 DWT? → MARPOL Annex I Regulation 13G/20
28. What is the primary purpose of an inert gas system on a tanker? → To prevent flammable mixtures from forming in cargo tanks
29. Emergency Shutdown (ESD) systems on tankers are designed to: → Rapidly stop cargo operations in the event of an emergency
30. What does a high-level alarm on a cargo tank indicate? → The tank is approaching its maximum safe filling capacity