Tanker Familiarization Emergency and Fire Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a cargo pump room fire on a tanker, which fixed firefighting system is typically installed to combat the blaze?
- Sprinkler system
- Water mist system
- Fixed foam system
- Fixed CO2 or halon system (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Fixed CO2 or halon system
Pump rooms on tankers are typically protected by fixed CO2 or equivalent total-flooding systems due to the presence of flammable cargo.
Question 2: What is the correct sequence when discovering a fire on board a tanker?
- Extinguish, Alert, Evacuate, Contain
- Alert, Contain, Extinguish, Report
- Sound the alarm, report to officer, attempt to extinguish if safe, contain the fire (Correct answer)
- Contain, report, evacuate all crew
Correct answer: Sound the alarm, report to officer, attempt to extinguish if safe, contain the fire
Upon discovering a fire you should immediately sound the alarm and report, then attempt to extinguish only if it is safe to do so, while containing its spread.
Question 3: What is the minimum oxygen content in a cargo tank atmosphere that defines the flammable range lower explosive limit (LEL) concern?
- Below 2% oxygen
- Above 11% oxygen (Correct answer)
- Above 21% oxygen
- Exactly 10% oxygen
Correct answer: Above 11% oxygen
When oxygen content in a cargo tank exceeds approximately 11%, the atmosphere may enter the flammable range, creating explosion risk.
Question 4: During emergency drills, what is the role of the designated fire team leader on a tanker?
- Operate the ship's main engine during emergencies
- Coordinate the fire attack, manage resources, and communicate with the bridge (Correct answer)
- Maintain the ship's log during the emergency
- Operate the fixed CO2 release panel
Correct answer: Coordinate the fire attack, manage resources, and communicate with the bridge
The fire team leader directs the firefighting effort, allocates resources, and maintains communication with the officer on the bridge.
Question 5: Why is it dangerous to use a water jet directly on burning oil aboard a tanker?
- Water reacts chemically with petroleum cargo
- Water can scatter burning oil and spread the fire (Correct answer)
- Water lowers the flash point of petroleum products
- Water increases oxygen supply to the fire
Correct answer: Water can scatter burning oil and spread the fire
A water jet can scatter burning oil, spreading the fire over a larger area instead of extinguishing it.
Question 6: What does the SOLAS regulation require regarding fire drills on tankers?
- Fire drills must be conducted once per voyage
- Fire drills must be held at least once a month (Correct answer)
- Fire drills must be held within 24 hours of leaving port
- Fire drills are optional if the crew is experienced
Correct answer: Fire drills must be held at least once a month
SOLAS requires that fire and boat drills be held at least once per month to ensure crew readiness.
Question 7: When approaching a fire while wearing a Breathing Apparatus (BA) set, why should crew advance low to the ground?
- Lower oxygen concentration is found near the floor
- Heat and smoke accumulate near the ceiling, making conditions safer near the floor (Correct answer)
- Water from firefighting hoses flows along the floor
- Regulations require a low approach for all tanker fires
Correct answer: Heat and smoke accumulate near the ceiling, making conditions safer near the floor
Hot gases and smoke rise and accumulate near the ceiling, so staying low exposes firefighters to cooler, less toxic conditions.
Tanker Familiarization Emergency and Fire Procedures 3
During a cargo pump room fire on a tanker, which fixed firefighting system is typically installed to combat the blaze?