Solas Quiz 1 Study Guide (Potential Questions) Groups

Prof Mccarthy Ordered from Most Likely to Least Likely

What is the Fire and Emergency alarm signal?

Continuous ringing of bells or the general alarm for at least 10 seconds; on modern vessels, a continuous electronic tone.

What should the crew do when the fire alarm sounds?

Proceed to the fire station, listen to the Public Addressing System, confirm the location of the fire, and perform the duty listed in the muster list.

What is the Abandon Ship signal?

More than six short blasts and one prolonged blast on the ship's whistle, and the same signal on the general alarm bell.

What should you do when Abandon Ship is announced?

Carry your lifejacket/immersion suit to the designated muster station, carry additional assigned items, avoid longer routes, and wait for the Master's order to abandon the ship.

What is the Man Overboard alarm signal?

Three long rings on the vessel's internal alarm bell and three long blasts on the ship whistle.

What is the purpose of the Man Overboard whistle signal?

To notify the crew onboard and inform other ships in the nearby vicinity.

What can be attached to a lifebuoy for a Man Overboard signal?

A light and smoke signal.

What does one short blast mean during lifeboat operations?

Lower the lifeboats/liferafts.

What do two short blasts mean during lifeboat operations?

Stop lowering the lifeboats/liferafts.

What are immersion suits designed to protect against?

Hypothermia and drowning during prolonged water exposure.

What color are immersion suits?

Orange/red in color; the bag color indicates the size.

What does an orange immersion suit bag indicate?

Universal: 4'11"-6'3", 110-330 lbs.

What does a green immersion suit bag indicate?

Oversized: 6'-6'8", 200-350 lbs.

What does a red immersion suit bag indicate?

Adult small: 4'10"-5'10", 110-250 lbs.

What does a yellow immersion suit bag indicate?

Child: 40"-60", 44-110 lbs.

What are the categories of SOLAS-approved immersion suits?

Immersion suit with built-in buoyancy; immersion suit requiring a lifejacket marked "to be worn with lifejacket"; insulated; and uninsulated.

What is the immersion suit requirement for cargo vessels?

One suit per person on board and at least two additional suits near each survival craft stowage: Bridge, ECR, and Forecastle.

How quickly must an immersion suit be donned?

Without assistance within 2 minutes, including associated clothing and lifejacket if applicable.

How quickly must an immersion suit turn an unconscious person face-up?

Within 5 seconds.

How long must an immersion suit withstand fire without burning or melting?

2 seconds.

What jump must an immersion suit withstand without water ingress?

A 4.5 m (approximately 14 ft) jump.

What must an immersion suit allow the wearer to do?

Work safety gear/lifeboat and climb a ladder while wearing it.

What must an immersion suit include?

A whistle and SOLAS-approved light, buddy line, and lifting handle or loop for hoisting.

When must crew members be familiar with their emergency duties?

Prior to the beginning of the voyage.

When must crew drills take place within 24 hours of leaving port?

If more than 25% of the crew have not participated in abandon ship and fire drills on that particular ship in the previous month.

When must new crew members receive training in lifesaving and fire-extinguishing appliances?

As soon as possible but not later than two weeks after joining the ship.

Within what period must all lifesaving and fire-extinguishing appliances be covered in training?

Within any period of two months.

How often are Fire, Abandon Ship, and Rescue Boat drills conducted?

Once a month.

How often is a lifeboat dropped with assigned crew and maneuvered in the water?

Every 3 months.

How often is a free-fall lifeboat drill conducted?

Every 6 months, but it may be extended to 12 months provided simulated launching occurs at intervals of not more than six months.

How often is an Emergency Steering Drill conducted?

Every 3 months.

How often is a Security Drill conducted?

Every 3 months.

How often is a Man Overboard drill conducted?

Every 3 months.

How often is a Line Throwing Apparatus demonstration conducted?

Every 3 months.

How often is liferaft launching conducted?

Every 4 months.

How often is a Piracy Drill conducted?

Every 6 months.

What must all crew members do during mandatory drills?

Participate as if in a real emergency.

What may mandatory drills include?

Donning immersion suits or PFDs, using lifeboats, rafts, and rescue boats, testing alarms and detection systems, and activating distress signals.

What does COI stand for?

Certificate of Inspection.

What does a COI confirm?

That a vessel is seaworthy and compliant with safety regulations, including minimum manning, lifesaving equipment, fire protection, and passenger limits.

What does a COI specify?

The vessel's route, maximum number of passengers, and operational conditions.

What does a COI identify?

The owner and managing operator.

What is a Station Bill?

An official list of crew members and their assigned duties during emergencies such as fires, abandon-ship situations, or other safety-related events.

What is the purpose of the Station Bill?

To ensure every crew member knows who is responsible for specific tasks, where they should be stationed in an emergency, and what actions they must take.

Where must the Station Bill be posted?

At the operating station and in a conspicuous location in each crew accommodation space.

What must the Station Bill list?

The special duties and duty stations of each crew member for various emergencies.

What are examples of Station Bill duties?

Closing hatches, watertight doors, vents, scuppers, and valves; stopping fans/ventilation; operating safety equipment; preparing and launching survival craft and rescue boats; extinguishing fires; and mustering passengers.

Which lifejacket types are SOLAS-approved?

Type I and Type II.

What is a Type I lifejacket?

An offshore life jacket designed for open ocean, offshore, and rough water conditions where rescue may be delayed for hours; it provides maximum buoyancy and automatically turns the wearer face-up.

What is a Type II lifejacket?

A near-shore buoyant vest intended for calm, inland waters or areas where rescue is expected to be quick; it is lighter and easier to manage than a Type I lifejacket.

What is the major difference between Type I and Type II lifejackets?

Type I provides maximum buoyancy and automatically turns the wearer face-up; Type II is intended for calmer waters and is not guaranteed to turn all unconscious wearers face-up.

How many lifejackets must each vessel carry?

At least one lifejacket for every person on board.

How must SOLAS-approved lifejackets be stored?

In a readily accessible unlocked container marked "LIFEJACKETS" and the IMO symbol.

How long must a SOLAS-approved lifejacket withstand fire without burning or melting?

2 seconds.

What sizes are SOLAS-approved lifejackets available in?

Infant, child, and adult.

What must SOLAS-approved lifejackets be marked with?

Weight and height ranges.

Where must extra lifejackets be kept?

On the Bridge, in the Engine Control Room, and at manned watch stations.

What does a SOLAS-approved lifejacket include?

A whistle, water-activated light, adjustable straps, and a collar tie.

What are the requirements for the lifejacket water-activated light?

White, visible for 8 hours, flashes 50-70 times per minute, and includes a manual switch.

Are Type III lifejackets SOLAS approved?

No. Type III lifejackets are Coast Guard approved, not SOLAS approved.

What is a Type III lifejacket?

A foam-filled wearable PFD that provides moderate buoyancy, enough to keep a conscious person afloat upright, but will not turn an unconscious person face-up.

Are Type V lifejackets SOLAS approved?

No. Type V lifejackets are Coast Guard approved, not SOLAS approved.

What is a Type V lifejacket?

A specialized PFD engineered for specific uses, providing enhanced comfort, mobility, and safety tailored to the activity.

What is included in Type V PFDs?

Work vests and anti-exposure suits.

What is a Type IV PFD?

A throwable PFD, including horseshoe buoys, ring buoys, and throwable cushions.

What must each lifebuoy be stenciled with?

The ship's name and port of registry in black Roman letters.

Where must lifebuoys be located?

On both sides of the ship, evenly spaced, and stowed for rapid release.

Where must one lifebuoy always be located?

At the stern.

What must bridge lifebuoys be equipped with?

Combined smoke and light signals.

Where is each lifebuoy's type and position indicated?

On the Fire Control and Safety Plan.

What is a Thermal Protective Aid (TPA)?

An emergency survival garment made from aluminized polyethylene or similar waterproof materials with heat-sealed seams.

What is the purpose of a TPA?

To reduce convective and evaporative heat loss and help maintain body temperature in cold, wet, or shock-induced conditions.

How many TPAs must every survival craft carry?

At least two TPAs or 10% of its total capacity, whichever is greater.

Should TPAs be worn while swimming?

No. Swimming is not recommended and TPAs are not to be worn while in water.

What is the correct posture for jumping from a vessel?

Jump feet first, cover the nose and mouth with one hand, grasp the opposing upper arm with the other hand, hold the life preserver against the chest, keep feet together, and keep knees slightly bent.

From which side should you jump if possible?

The leeward side.

Why should you jump from the leeward side?

To minimize wind and wave impact.

What is the priority when abandoning a sinking ship?

Protect yourself from immediate dangers and increase your chances of rescue.

Should you jump into the water near a sinking vessel?

Do not jump into the water unless completely necessary.

What is the suction effect?

A dangerous suction created by a large ship as it sinks that can pull debris and people down.

What should you use to signal for help after abandoning a vessel?

Reflective objects, flares, or bright clothing.

What should survivors do after abandoning a vessel?

Conserve energy, stay in the shade to avoid dehydration, collect rainwater if possible, work with others to keep the group together, and maintain morale.

What is SOLAS?

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea; it is generally regarded as the most important international treaty concerning the safety of merchant ships.

What is the main objective of SOLAS?

To specify minimum standards for the construction, equipment, and operation of ships, compatible with their safety.

Who is responsible for ensuring ships under their flag comply with SOLAS?

Flag States.

Which SOLAS chapter primarily covers lifeboat regulations?

Chapter III - Life-Saving Appliances.

What code contains the technical specifications for lifesaving appliances?

The International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code.

Which SOLAS chapter covers communications?

Chapter IV - Communications.

What are Life-Saving Appliances (LSAs)?

Mandatory shipboard equipment designed to protect human life in emergencies.

What standards must LSAs comply with?

SOLAS Chapter III and the technical specifications found in the International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code.

What approval must lifesaving equipment on U.S.-flag vessels have?

U.S. Coast Guard approval.

Where must lifesaving equipment be stowed?

Readily accessible and on the main deck or higher.

What are the six categories of Life-Saving Appliances?

Personal Life-Saving Appliances; Visual Signals; Survival Craft; Rescue Boats; Launching and Embarkation Appliances; Other Life-Saving Appliances.