Operations - SQA exam UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Describe precautions and preparations the OOW would make when managing garbage on any
vessel - -principle of -collection
-processing,
-storage and disposal to be observed
-disposal into skips/collection areas ashore/on jetty or to be provided by shore
-ensure garbage is not tipped/dumped anywhere else ashore
-ensure correct disposal is followed
-if using a barge be aware of barge arrival
-incinerator not to be used
-all movement of garbage recorded in garbage record book
Describe an MGN - Marine guidance note- provide advice and guidance To relevant parties in
order to improve the safety of shipping and life at sea, and to prevent pollution from ships. Each
MGN is numbered in sequence. Blue in colour.
Describe an MIN - Marine info note- provide info intended for a more limited audience, such as
training establishments and equipment manufacturers, or they may be used for a short period of
time such as MCA exams. Each MIN is numbered in sequence and each has a cancellation date.
Green in colour.
Describe an MSN - Merchant shipping notices- used to convey MANDATORY info which must
be complied with under UK legislation. Will relate to statutory instruments containing details of
such regulations. Each is numbered in sequence. White in colour.
,State the conditions that must be applied under annex I of marpol with regards to the discharge of
machinery space bilge oil/water into any part of the sea from an oil tanker. (machinery space) - -
The ship is en route
-Oil mixture is processed through oil filtering equipment meeting regulation 14.7
-Oily content of effluent without dilution does not exceed 15ppm
-Oily mixture does not originate from cargo pump-room bilges
-Oil mixture is not mixed with oil cargo
-Discharge is not in antarctic area
Explain some of the precautions and procedures to be observed before entering an enclosed
spaced - -Permit to work system in place
-Permit to work has to be checked and permitted by the Master of the ship in order to work in
confined space.
-Competent person to make risk assessment of space
- Control measures in place for all risks that have been identified
-space ventilated 24hrs before entry
-Responsible officer in charge of operation
-Rescue and resuscitation equipment at entrance of space
-Means of hoisting an incapacitated person should be available
-Opening and securing has to be done and precaution should be taken to check if the opening of
enclosed space is pressurised or not.
-Atmosphere of space tested no toxic or flammable gases
-One person on stand-by at entrance to space
-Oxygen is 20.7%
-All fire hazard possibilities should be minimized if hot work is to be carried out.
-Access to space and within space is adequate and well illuminated
-Rescue harness worn by person entering
-The person should carry oxygen analyzer with him inside the enclosed space and it should be on
all the time to monitor the oxygen content.
,-An agreed and tested means of communication should be in place
-Tape has been put around the area
-The number of persons entering the space should be limited to those who actually need to work
in the space.
name the Annexes in MARPOL - ANNEX 1 = Regulations for Prevention of Pollution by oil
ANNEX 2 = Regulations for Control Of Pollution by Noxious liquid Substances In Bulk
ANNEX 3 = Regulations for Prevention Of Pollution By Harmful Substances carried at sea In
Packaged form
ANNEX 4= Regulations for Prevention Of Pollution by sewage from ships
ANNEX 5 = Regulations for Prevention Of Pollution by garbage from ships
ANNEX 6 = Regulations for Prevention Of Air Pollution from ships
What are The Objectives Of the Ism code? - 1. To ensure safety at life at sea
2. Prevention of human injury or loss of life
3. Avoidance of damage to the environment, in particular to the marine environment
4. To establish a SMS by the company
Give a Brief Explanation of what the Ism Code is - The ISM code means the international Safety
management code for the safe operation of ships and for pollution prevention. The purpose of
this code is to provide an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships
and for pollution prevention.
What is a non-conformity? - A non-conformity means an observed situation where objective
evidence indicates the non-fulfilment of a specified code.
(Any activity on-board which is not in accordance with the procedures stipulated in SMS)
What is an example of a non-conformity? when must they be rectified? - -Non completion of
required check lists (Arrival/Departure Checklists)
, -Scheduled drill not carried out as per SMS
They must be fixed within 3 months
Explain what is meant by a "major non-conformity" and give an example. When must a major
non-conformity be rectified? - Any Non-Conformity which poses immediate threat to safety of
the personnel / ship / environment and must be rectified prior to sailing of the ship.
• Officer COC invalid
• Main engine failure
• Holed lifeboat; missing liferaft
• Charts for current voyage not corrected
Explain the legal status of the code of safe working practices - The code itself is not law, but
much of it explains how the law should be complied with. Many UK merchant shipping
regulations specify requirements for standards of safety, equipment or operations, and some
require the code should be consulted with and applied. MCA will accept compliance with the
guidance in the code as demonstrating you have done what was reasonable as per the regulations.
MS (Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen) Regs 1998 S.I. 1998 No. 1838
require sufficient copies to be on board
Define a Special Area as Described in MARPOL - A "special Area" means a sea area where for
recognised technical reasons in relation to its oceanographical and ecological condition and to
the particular character of traffic the adoption of special mandatory methods for prevention of
sea pollution by oil/garbage.
Outline the entries which must be made in the garbage record book - -Every discharge or
incineration of garbage
-Date and time
-Position of ship
-Description of garbage
-Estimated amount of garbage to be discharged or incinerated in cubic metres
-In case of accidental loss or discharge of garbage
CORRECT Answers
Describe precautions and preparations the OOW would make when managing garbage on any
vessel - -principle of -collection
-processing,
-storage and disposal to be observed
-disposal into skips/collection areas ashore/on jetty or to be provided by shore
-ensure garbage is not tipped/dumped anywhere else ashore
-ensure correct disposal is followed
-if using a barge be aware of barge arrival
-incinerator not to be used
-all movement of garbage recorded in garbage record book
Describe an MGN - Marine guidance note- provide advice and guidance To relevant parties in
order to improve the safety of shipping and life at sea, and to prevent pollution from ships. Each
MGN is numbered in sequence. Blue in colour.
Describe an MIN - Marine info note- provide info intended for a more limited audience, such as
training establishments and equipment manufacturers, or they may be used for a short period of
time such as MCA exams. Each MIN is numbered in sequence and each has a cancellation date.
Green in colour.
Describe an MSN - Merchant shipping notices- used to convey MANDATORY info which must
be complied with under UK legislation. Will relate to statutory instruments containing details of
such regulations. Each is numbered in sequence. White in colour.
,State the conditions that must be applied under annex I of marpol with regards to the discharge of
machinery space bilge oil/water into any part of the sea from an oil tanker. (machinery space) - -
The ship is en route
-Oil mixture is processed through oil filtering equipment meeting regulation 14.7
-Oily content of effluent without dilution does not exceed 15ppm
-Oily mixture does not originate from cargo pump-room bilges
-Oil mixture is not mixed with oil cargo
-Discharge is not in antarctic area
Explain some of the precautions and procedures to be observed before entering an enclosed
spaced - -Permit to work system in place
-Permit to work has to be checked and permitted by the Master of the ship in order to work in
confined space.
-Competent person to make risk assessment of space
- Control measures in place for all risks that have been identified
-space ventilated 24hrs before entry
-Responsible officer in charge of operation
-Rescue and resuscitation equipment at entrance of space
-Means of hoisting an incapacitated person should be available
-Opening and securing has to be done and precaution should be taken to check if the opening of
enclosed space is pressurised or not.
-Atmosphere of space tested no toxic or flammable gases
-One person on stand-by at entrance to space
-Oxygen is 20.7%
-All fire hazard possibilities should be minimized if hot work is to be carried out.
-Access to space and within space is adequate and well illuminated
-Rescue harness worn by person entering
-The person should carry oxygen analyzer with him inside the enclosed space and it should be on
all the time to monitor the oxygen content.
,-An agreed and tested means of communication should be in place
-Tape has been put around the area
-The number of persons entering the space should be limited to those who actually need to work
in the space.
name the Annexes in MARPOL - ANNEX 1 = Regulations for Prevention of Pollution by oil
ANNEX 2 = Regulations for Control Of Pollution by Noxious liquid Substances In Bulk
ANNEX 3 = Regulations for Prevention Of Pollution By Harmful Substances carried at sea In
Packaged form
ANNEX 4= Regulations for Prevention Of Pollution by sewage from ships
ANNEX 5 = Regulations for Prevention Of Pollution by garbage from ships
ANNEX 6 = Regulations for Prevention Of Air Pollution from ships
What are The Objectives Of the Ism code? - 1. To ensure safety at life at sea
2. Prevention of human injury or loss of life
3. Avoidance of damage to the environment, in particular to the marine environment
4. To establish a SMS by the company
Give a Brief Explanation of what the Ism Code is - The ISM code means the international Safety
management code for the safe operation of ships and for pollution prevention. The purpose of
this code is to provide an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships
and for pollution prevention.
What is a non-conformity? - A non-conformity means an observed situation where objective
evidence indicates the non-fulfilment of a specified code.
(Any activity on-board which is not in accordance with the procedures stipulated in SMS)
What is an example of a non-conformity? when must they be rectified? - -Non completion of
required check lists (Arrival/Departure Checklists)
, -Scheduled drill not carried out as per SMS
They must be fixed within 3 months
Explain what is meant by a "major non-conformity" and give an example. When must a major
non-conformity be rectified? - Any Non-Conformity which poses immediate threat to safety of
the personnel / ship / environment and must be rectified prior to sailing of the ship.
• Officer COC invalid
• Main engine failure
• Holed lifeboat; missing liferaft
• Charts for current voyage not corrected
Explain the legal status of the code of safe working practices - The code itself is not law, but
much of it explains how the law should be complied with. Many UK merchant shipping
regulations specify requirements for standards of safety, equipment or operations, and some
require the code should be consulted with and applied. MCA will accept compliance with the
guidance in the code as demonstrating you have done what was reasonable as per the regulations.
MS (Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen) Regs 1998 S.I. 1998 No. 1838
require sufficient copies to be on board
Define a Special Area as Described in MARPOL - A "special Area" means a sea area where for
recognised technical reasons in relation to its oceanographical and ecological condition and to
the particular character of traffic the adoption of special mandatory methods for prevention of
sea pollution by oil/garbage.
Outline the entries which must be made in the garbage record book - -Every discharge or
incineration of garbage
-Date and time
-Position of ship
-Description of garbage
-Estimated amount of garbage to be discharged or incinerated in cubic metres
-In case of accidental loss or discharge of garbage
