USCG Deck Side Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When working aloft on a vessel, what is the primary safety requirement before beginning any task?
- Notify the bridge and secure a safety harness to a fixed point (Correct answer)
- Check the weather forecast only
- Wear a hard hat and gloves
- Obtain verbal permission from a crewmember
Correct answer: Notify the bridge and secure a safety harness to a fixed point
Working aloft requires notifying the bridge and wearing a properly secured safety harness attached to a fixed structural point to prevent falls.
Question 2: Which type of fire extinguisher is MOST appropriate for a Class B fire (flammable liquids) on a vessel's deck?
- Water-type extinguisher
- CO2 or dry chemical extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Foam blanket only
- Sand bucket
Correct answer: CO2 or dry chemical extinguisher
CO2 and dry chemical extinguishers are rated for Class B fires involving flammable liquids such as fuel or oil.
Question 3: A vessel is mooring alongside a pier. Who is responsible for ensuring mooring lines are handled safely?
- The port authority agent
- The officer in charge of deck operations (Correct answer)
- The pilot only
- The shoreside line handler exclusively
Correct answer: The officer in charge of deck operations
The officer in charge of deck operations is responsible for the safe handling of mooring lines and the safety of deck crew during mooring.
Question 4: What is the correct action when a mooring line parts (snaps) under tension?
- Step forward to grab the loose end
- Move clear of the line's recoil path immediately (Correct answer)
- Secure the remaining end to the bollard
- Sound the general alarm first
Correct answer: Move clear of the line's recoil path immediately
A parted mooring line recoils with extreme force, so personnel must immediately move clear of the line's potential recoil zone.
Question 5: Enclosed space entry on a vessel requires which of the following before personnel enter?
- Only a lookout posted outside
- Testing the atmosphere for oxygen, flammable gases, and toxic vapors (Correct answer)
- Hosing down the space with fresh water
- Verbal clearance from the chief mate
Correct answer: Testing the atmosphere for oxygen, flammable gases, and toxic vapors
USCG regulations require atmospheric testing for oxygen levels, flammable gases, and toxic vapors before any enclosed space entry.
Question 6: What does SCBA stand for, and when is it required on deck?
- Safety Control Breathing Apparatus, required during fire drills only
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, required when entering toxic or oxygen-deficient atmospheres (Correct answer)
- Shipboard Chemical Breathing Aid, used in engine rooms only
- Standard Compressed Breathing Assembly, required in all confined spaces
Correct answer: Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, required when entering toxic or oxygen-deficient atmospheres
SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) provides independent air supply and is required when entering atmospheres that are toxic, oxygen-deficient, or of unknown composition.
Question 7: A crew member finds an oil spill on the main deck near the fuel manifold. What is the FIRST action to take?
- Immediately hose the spill overboard
- Contain the spill, notify the officer on watch, and prevent ignition sources (Correct answer)
- Apply dispersant chemicals without authorization
- Log the spill and wait for the next watch
Correct answer: Contain the spill, notify the officer on watch, and prevent ignition sources
The first actions for a deck oil spill are containment to prevent spread, immediate notification of the officer on watch, and elimination of ignition sources to prevent fire.
USCG Deck Side Safety 2
When working aloft on a vessel, what is the primary safety requirement before beginning any task?