What does a Solas pack A life raft contain?
- 3 hand flares
- 2 parachute flares
- 1 smoke signals
- One flashlight
- One flashlight bulb
- Extra batteries
- One signal mirror
- One signal whistle
- One bailer
- Two paddles
- One topping-up air pump
- One sea anchor
- One spare sea anchor
- Two sponges
- Repair kit (glue, patches)
- Repair plugs
- Rescue quoit and line
- Survival instructions
- First aid kit
- Fishing kit
- Can openers
- Floating safety knife
- Thermal protective aids
- Anti-seasick tablets
- Seasickness bags
- Drinking cup
What do you do once in the life raft?
- Cut painter
- Stream drogue
- Close entrance
- Maintain craft
What are the markings on a life raft?
- Maker’s name and trademark
- Serial Number
- Date of manufacture
- Name of approving authority
- Name and place of the last service
- Number of persons permitted
What is a HRU?
Hydrostatic Release Unit is designed and approved to automatically deploy a life raft or float-free EPIRB in the event of a vessel sinking and operate between 1.5 and 4 metres of water.
What is a weak link on a HRU and how does it work?
The Weak Link attaches to the liferaft and the boat and breaks to deploy the liferaft if the boat sinks. The tension created during this situation causes the weak link to break and free the raft.
What is the general alarm sound?
7 short ringings of the bell followed by a long ring or using the ship horn signal of 7 short blasts followed by 1 long blast
How would you carry out an inspection of an immersion suit?
- Check closures on storage bag and general condition
- Lay the suit on a clean flat surface and visually check there is no damage and suit is dry inside
- Check zipper is well lubricated and lines up and down easily
- If fitted, check inflatable head support and/or buoyancy ring for damage and ensure that it is properly attached
- Check retro reflective tape for condition and adhesion. Replace if necessary.
- If fitted, check whistle and expiration date of light and battery
- Store suits in bags with zippers fully open
- Crew should regularly practice donning
How would you carry out an inspection of a lifebuoy?
- Ensure that the lifebuoy is in situ and that it is securely mounted, but accessible and easily removed for use
- Visually inspect the lifebuoy for damage or deterioration
- Filled polyethylene lifebuoys are often sealed with a ‘plug’ (sometimes hidden beneath the retro-reflective tape). Ensure that the plug is in situ and that there has been no water ingress
- Ensure that the retro-reflective tape is clean and securely attached
- Ensure that the grabline around the circumference is not damaged and is securely attached
How would you carry out an inspection of a life jacket?
- Open jacket inflator pocket and remove Co2 cylinder and Inspect the bottle for rust or corrosion.
- Check all stitching, buckles and closures to see all are intact and working correctly
- Open jacket and check yellow inner fabric is not damaged
- Check all reflective tape is stuck down and not peeling away
- Check oral inflator tube is not damaged
- If water activated SOLAS Light fitted, Check Exp date and Light is working.
- Check it has a whistle
What equipment must be carried on board to launch a rescue boat underway?
- An approved launching arrangement
- A boatrope - it will fall back on this and be towed by the mother vessel until ready to proceed
- An approved release mechanism
- Tending lines to steady the boat as it is being manoeuvred on the davit
What is the procedure for launching a rescue boat whilst underway?
- There must be a toolbox talk prior
- Lifejackets, immersion suits (where appropriate) and head protection should be worn
- Two-way radio comms between the rescue boat and the bridge
- During lowering and recovery, the propeller on that side of the ship should be stopped if practicable
- The boats engines should be running before it enters the water
- The practice should be followed by a de-brief
- The crew of the rescue boat should never be in the boat when it is slung inboard, crew should disembark at deck level
What is normal body temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rates for an adult male?
Temperature: 37°C
Blood pressure: between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg
Pulse: 65 to 80 beats per minute
Breathing: 16 to 18 breaths per minute
What should you see on the passerelle?
A duplicate set of the fire safety plan(s) should be permanently stored in a prominently marked weathertight enclosure readily accessible to assist non-vessel fire-fighting personnel who may board the vessel in a fire emergency
What equipment must your rescue boat have?
- Paddles
- Boat hook
- Bucket
- Fire extinguisher
- Buoyant line of at least 50m
- Bailer
- Lockers to preserve equipment
- Sea anchor
- Compass
- Electric torch
- Pyrotechnic distress signals
- Thermal protective aid
- Manual Pump
- Boarding ladder
- Whistle
- Radar reflector
- Two sponges
- First aid outfit
- Knife or hatchet
- Puncture repair kit
How often does a crew member have to participate in drills?
Each crew member must participate in at least one abandon ship drill and one fire frill every month. These drills must be held within 24 hours of leaving port if more than 25% of the crew have not taken part in drills on board in the previous month.
What does an abandon ship drill include?
- Passengers and crew to muster station
- Reporting to stations and preparing to duties in muster list
- Passengers and crew are suitably dressed
- Lifejackets correctly donned
- Lifeboat launched
- A mock search and rescue of passengers trapped
- Instruction in the use of radio life-saving appliances
- Emergency lighting for mustering and abandonment tested
What does a fire drill include?
- Reporting to muster station and preparing for duties
- Starting of fire pump
- Checking of BA kit and other personal rescue equipment
- Checking relevant comunication equipment
- Checking operation of watertight doors, fire doors, fire dampers and ventilation systems
- Checking necessary arrangements for abandoning ship
When should on board training in the use of the ships life saving appliances, including survival craft and fire extinguishing appliances be donefor a new crew member?
As soon as possible but no later than 2 weeks after the crew member has joined the vessel.
Further detailed instruction covering different parts of the ships life saving and fire extinguishing appliances shall be covered within a period of 2 months.
What is the content of a muster list?
- General alarm signal
- Action to be taken upon hearing the alarm
- How the order of abandon ship is given
- Show all duties of each crew member which includes:
- Closing of watertight doors, fire doors, scuppers, side scuttles, skylights, portholes and other small openings.
- Equipping of survival craft and other LSA
- General preparations of LSA
- Muster of passengers
- Use of communication equipment
- Manning of fire parties to deal with fires
- Special duties signed in respect f the use of fire fighting equipment and installations
What drills must take place weekly?
- General Alarm
- Inspect rescue Boat (Launch and run engine if possible)
What drills must take place monthly?
- Fire
- Abandon ship
What drills must take place bi-monthly?
Enclosed space rescue
What drills must take place quarterly?
- Launch lifeboat/rescue boat
- Emergency steering
- SOPEP
- Security (bomb threat, stow away)
What drills must take place yearly?
- Security test with management usually including SSAS
- Medical
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Legislations90
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COLREGS58
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Passage Planning24
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Publications23
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Buoyage42
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ECDIS28
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Chartwork & Compasses34
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LSA25
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MOB & Emergency Situations18
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Radar & ARPA36
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GPS13
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Navigation Equipment27
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Watchkeeping17
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Meteorology28
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Stability20
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GMDSS28
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Fire18
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Sextant10
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Pilotage9
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Salvage9
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Manoeuvring4
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Ropes5
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