AB Deck General and Safety 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a vessel display at night to indicate it is engaged in towing with the tow exceeding 200 meters in length?
- Two masthead lights and towing light only
- Three masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, sternlight, and towing light (Correct answer)
- One masthead light and a yellow towing light
- Three all-round white lights in a vertical line
Correct answer: Three masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, sternlight, and towing light
When the length of tow exceeds 200 meters, the towing vessel displays three masthead lights in a vertical line, sidelights, a sternlight, and a yellow towing light.
Question 2: What is the FIRST step in the proper procedure for entering a confined space on board a vessel?
- Enter with a buddy and use a safety harness
- Test the atmosphere for oxygen level, flammable gases, and toxic vapors
- Ventilate the space for at least 30 minutes
- Obtain a confined space entry permit (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Obtain a confined space entry permit
Before any entry, a confined space entry permit must be obtained and signed off by the responsible officer, which documents atmosphere testing and safety precautions.
Question 3: Under OSHA and STCW, what minimum oxygen percentage must be present in a confined space before entry is permitted?
- 16%
- 18%
- 19.5% (Correct answer)
- 21%
Correct answer: 19.5%
Oxygen content must be at least 19.5% before a confined space is considered safe for entry without supplied-air breathing apparatus.
Question 4: What does 'heaving to' mean for a vessel in heavy weather?
- Anchoring in deep water to ride out the storm
- Adjusting speed and heading to keep the vessel nearly stationary and reduce pounding (Correct answer)
- Running downwind at maximum speed to escape the storm
- Deploying a sea anchor from the bow
Correct answer: Adjusting speed and heading to keep the vessel nearly stationary and reduce pounding
Heaving to involves balancing sails or adjusting engine power and rudder to hold the vessel nearly stationary and reduce stress on the hull in heavy weather.
Question 5: A SOLAS training manual must be kept where on board a vessel?
- Only in the captain's quarters
- In each crew cabin and in the mess room (Correct answer)
- Only on the bridge
- In the engine room and bridge only
Correct answer: In each crew cabin and in the mess room
SOLAS requires a training manual to be kept in each crew cabin and in the mess room to be accessible for crew self-study at any time.
Question 6: What is the meaning of the term 'lashing' in cargo operations?
- The process of loading cargo into the hold
- Lines, chains, or straps used to secure cargo from shifting (Correct answer)
- The label affixed to hazardous cargo
- The spacing between cargo bays in the hold
Correct answer: Lines, chains, or straps used to secure cargo from shifting
Lashings are the ropes, chains, wires, or straps used to secure cargo to prevent it from shifting during the voyage.
Question 7: When mooring a vessel, what is a 'breast line'?
- A line running at an angle forward from the vessel to the dock
- A line running at an angle aft from the vessel to the dock
- A line running perpendicular from the vessel directly to the dock (Correct answer)
- A line running parallel to the vessel along the dock
Correct answer: A line running perpendicular from the vessel directly to the dock
A breast line runs perpendicular (at a right angle) from the vessel's side directly to the dock, preventing the vessel from moving away from the berth.
AB Deck General and Safety 4
What does a vessel display at night to indicate it is engaged in towing with the tow exceeding 200 meters in length?