Drills, OLB & Code of Conduct

Question 1

Damage Control Drill - how often? Who involved? What will include?

Answer 1

• Every 3 months
• Only crew with damage control duties
• Reporting & mustering, damage control info in computer, comms, WTD’s, cross flooding, equipment, bilge pumps

Question 2

What should a Fire Drill contain (as much as practicably possible)?

Answer 2

• All fire teams mustering
• Starting of the fire pumps
• Scenarios to vary for each drill
• Hoses rigged appropriately to the current situation & tested
• Isolations, closing ventilations etc tested
• Fixed fire fighting systems tested
• Fire extinguishers used by different members of the crew
• BA used by the parties

Question 3

How often should an ISPS drill and Exercise take place?

Answer 3

Every 3 months OR if 25% of crew changes, within 1 week

Security Exercise to take place once a year with no more that 18 months between the Exercises

Question 4

On passenger vessels, how often would you test the remote closure of watertight doors?

Answer 4

Every week - if voyages are over a week, then before leaving port and then at least once during the voyage

Question 5

On a passenger vessel, how often should you do a passenger muster?

Answer 5

If voyages over 24 hours in length, then before departure or within 24 hours of their embarkation

Question 6

If a passenger doesn’t make it to the muster drill, what should you do?

Answer 6

They should turn up to a safety briefing immediately BEFORE sailing or immediately AFTER departure

Question 7

How often should a crew member take part in an abandon ship & fire drill?

Answer 7

At least one of each every month

Question 8

On passenger vessels, how often should an abandon ship & fire drill take place?

Answer 8

Once every week, although not all crew need to attend. But they still need to participate in one of each drill every month

Question 9

How often should you launch your lifeboats (not freefall) into the water with operating crew?

Answer 9

Every 3 months

Question 10

How often should you launch your freefall lifeboats into the water with operating crew?

Answer 10

Every 6 months - can be lowered rather than launched with the traditional method

Question 11

How often should you launch your rescue boats into the water with operating crew?

Answer 11

Every month

Question 12

How often should an enclosed space entry drill take place?

Answer 12

Every 2 months

Question 13

A new crew member joins ship, when should they receive on board training of the use of LSA, FFA etc?

Answer 13

Not more than 2 weeks since joining ship

Question 14

How often should an emergency steering gear drill take place?

Answer 14

Every 3 months

Question 15

How often should a davit launched liferaft training session take place?

Answer 15

Every 4 months

Question 16

What are the factors that must be considered when planning for a drill?

Answer 16

EMERGENCY - this can spark different ways to deal with it
LOCATION - if it’s awkward, then it can challenge the crew
EQUIPMENT - vary the equipment to ensure it is used, crew gain knowledge and it can be tested
CASUALTIES - can bring other teams or different challenges into the frame
MICRO-DRILLS - if one particular area of weakness / improvement has been identified, take the time to focus on that
TOUCH DRILLS - can show the theory behind the emergencies and can receive instant feedback after

Question 17

How will you ensure a good de-brief following a drill?

Answer 17

1. Done soon after the drill, but give some opportunity to allow the crew to pack up the equipment
2. It is not rushed
3. Everyone has the opportunity to speak
4. The feedback noted
5. Not to highlight individuals, but to take them as learning experiences

Question 18

What should be produced after the drill and where will this be kept on record?

Answer 18

Produce a DRILL REPORT
Recorded in the OFFICIAL LOG BOOK (Section 3)

Question 19

Who must carry the Official Logbook (MCA)?

Answer 19

ALL UK FLAGGED SHIPS except from the following:
- Fishing vessels
- Vessels less than 25GT
- Pleasure vessels

Question 20

Name the entries you would make in the Official Logbook…

Answer 20

• Record of Seamen on board
• Births & Deaths
• Musters, Boat & Fire Drills, Training, Inspections of LSA & FFA
• Steering Gear test, drills & inspection
• Crew Accom Inspection
• Food & Water Inspection
• Loadline & depth of loading
• Dates of Departure with draughts & freeboard
• Narrative

Question 21

How would you be signed onto a vessel?

Answer 21

On the Official Logbook. With the number on the Official Logbook you are signed on with, you will transfer that number and further details onto the List of Crew

Question 22

What if a Young Person is being signed on the vessel?

Answer 22

As well as their details in the Official Logbook and the List of Crew, with the same number from the Official Logbook and details, they would go into the List of Young Persons

Question 23

Define Gross Misconduct…

Answer 23

Circumstances that would lead to dismissal from ship and employment, including the following:
- Assault
- Theft
- Weapons
- Endangering vessel, pax and crew
- Breach of company policies & procedures

Question 24

The Master had to be evacuated due to a Medical Emergency. How will you take command?

Answer 24

• Note in the Official Logbook
• Inform DPA
• Re-adjust watch arrangements with the manning you have
• Contact MCA for a dispensation due to going under safe manning due to the emergency