Merchant Navy GSK
Essential Questions & Answers
PPE, Work Permits & General Safety
Q.1WHAT IS PPE
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are the equipment which protect a person against hazards/risks to safety.
Q.2Name of few PPE.
- Safety helmet
- Safety goggles
- Ear muff
- Face mask
- Boiler suit
- Safety Shoe
Q.3How does PPE Help its USERS
PPE PROTECTS USERS FROM RISK of accident.
Q.4What will you do if you find other member in your team not using PPE.
I will immediately request him to use PPE. If he is not using, I will report to the duty officer.
Q.5Where will you find PPE on board ship
Most of the PPE are available in individual cabins.
Q.6What will you do if you do not have the proper PPE to do a job.
I will not carry out the job and report to the duty officer.
Q.7Tell 3 Safety Precautions to be followed when working on anchor station
- Proper PPE must be worn
- Experienced Seaman must operate windlass
- Check for no boat or any obstruction under the anchor
Q.8Tell 3 safety Precautions to be followed when working on accommodation ladder in port
- Must wear proper PPE
- Must wear life jacket or working vest
- At night, proper lighting must be arranged
Q.9What is work Permit?
Work Permit is an official document which sets out the work to be done and the precautions to be taken in doing it.
Q.10What is the purpose of having these work permit
Work permits are required to avoid accident or injury.
Q.11Name 3 safety styles of work Permit used on tankers?
- Hot work Permit
- Enclosed Space Entry Permit
- Tank entry Permit
- Cold work Permit
- Working aloft Permit
- Working over side
Enclosed Spaces, Risk & Lifting Gear
Q.12What are the hazards associated with enclosed space entry
- O₂ depleted or O₂ enriched
- Presence of toxic vapours
- Presence of toxic gas
- Flammable atmosphere
Q.13Will you enter a hold of a bulk carrier immediately after opening? If No, why.
No, I will not enter because there may be lack of O₂. Entry is considered only after proper ventilation and checking the atmosphere inside the hold.
Q.14Why is it required to carry out a risk assessment before undertaking a Hazardous work
Risk assessment is very important as it forms an integral part of an occupational health and safety management plan. (Risk assessment is the overall method of identifying hazards and the risk associated with them).
Q.15What is SWL
SWL (Safe Working Load) of any material is the Maximum weight that can be lifted without any risk of accident.
Q.16Where will you find SWL of a lifting gear.
In the test certificate of the lifting gear.
Q.17What is Breaking stress?
Breaking stress of any material is the minimum weight required to break it.
Q.18Where will you find SWL of a cargo block?
In the binding.
Q.19Where will you find the SWL of a mooring rope
In the test certificate of the mooring rope.
Garbage, Working Aloft & Heaving Line
Q.20How is the garbage generated on board handled by the crew?
- Garbage is collected from different places of ship.
- Then Garbage is separated category-wise and put into respective garbage drums.
- After that, garbage is either retained on board or disposed into Sea following rules and regulations of MARPOL.
Q.21Tell 2 works on mast, which will require you to climb
To Change Navigation light bulb, To paint the mast.
Q.22What PPE will you wear for climbing the mast.
- Safety Helmet
- Boiler suit
- Safety hand Gloves
- Safety Shoe
- Safety harness with lifeline
Q.23Tell 3 safe practices to be followed when climbing the mast.
- Must wear Proper PPE
- Must use safety harness with lifeline
- Must obtain "Working Aloft" Permit
Q.24What is safety harness?
Protective equipment designed to prevent a person from falling or injury.
Q.25Why is it required to have heaving line on ship
Heaving line is used to make contact with jetty for sending mooring line ashore during berthing.
Q.26When will you use heaving line
During berthing or mooring a vessel.
Q.27What care will you take when using heaving line?
- About 20m of length should be coiled in the left hand.
- 10m of length is taken in the right hand.
- The line is thrown with the right hand.
- It must be allowed to run freely from the coil in the left hand.
Q.28Tell 2 precautions you will observe when throwing the heaving line.
- Before throwing line, one should warn the person in the vicinity by shouting ATTENTION.
- When thrown with the Right Hand, it must be allowed to run freely from the coil in the Left Hand.
Q.29What is the purpose of a monkey fist on the heaving line
To throw a long distance, the monkey fist is fitted at one end of the heaving line.
Q.30How will you find out the size of the rope used for making the heaving line?
Size of rope for heaving line can be measured with Vernier Callipers.
Buoyage Systems
Q.31Show 2 Buoys in Lateral buoyage system.
- Port hand buoy (Can or flat or pillar)
- STARBOARD hand buoy (Conical or spar pillar)
Q.32Show 2 buoys in Cardinal system of buoyage.
- North Cardinal Buoy
- South Cardinal Buoy
Q.33What is safe water mark
[Image of safe water mark buoy]
The safe water mark indicates safe water all round of the buoy.
Q.34Can a vessel pass either side of the Isolated Danger mark
Yes, a vessel can pass either side of the Isolated Danger mark.
Q.35What is (a) Port hand buoy
It is a buoy, which is to be kept to the port hand when approaching from the seaside.
Q.36What is (b) STBD hand buoy
It is a buoy, which is to be kept to the STBD (Starboard) hand when approaching from the seaside.
Nautical Terms & Structure
Q.37
What is Merchant Navy?
The Merchant Navy is a commercial fleet (non-military) used for the transport of goods (cargo) and passengers by sea. Key ships include:
- General Cargo Ships
- Bulk Carriers
- Oil Tankers
- Container Ships
Q.38
Define Port and Starboard.
- Port Side: The LEFT side of the ship when facing forward.
- Starboard Side: The RIGHT side of the ship when facing forward.
Q.39
What are Draft, Freeboard, and Trim?
- Draft: Vertical distance from Keel (bottom) to Waterline.
- Freeboard: Vertical distance from Waterline to Main Deck.
- Trim: The difference between Forward Draft and Aft Draft.
Q.40
What is a Bulbous Bow?
It is the bulb-shaped projection at the front (bow) of the ship below the water.
Function: It reduces water resistance, which increases speed and saves fuel.
Q.41
What is the Bridge and Engine Room?
- Bridge: The command center where navigation and steering happen (Wheel House).
- Engine Room: The machinery space containing the main engine and generators for power.
Ship Types & Cargo
Q.42
Types of Cargo for Specific Ships
| Ship Type |
Cargo Carried |
| Bulk Carrier |
Coal, Grain, Iron Ore, Cement |
| Tanker |
Crude Oil, Liquid Chemicals |
| Ro-Ro Ship |
Cars, Trucks, Vehicles |
| Reefer Ship |
Fruits, Meat, Fish (Refrigerated) |
Q.43
What are TEU and FEU?
These are units for Container Ships:
- TEU: Twenty Equivalent Unit (20ft Container).
- FEU: Forty Equivalent Unit (40ft Container).
Navigation & Mooring
Q.44
Function of Propeller and Rudder
- Propeller: Moves the ship Ahead or Astern (Thrust).
- Rudder: Steers the ship (Changes direction).
Q.45
Mooring Lines and Uses
- Head/Stern Lines: Prevent moving Forward/Aft.
- Breast Lines: Keep ship close to jetty (prevent moving away).
- Spring Lines: Prevent surging (forward/aft movement).
Q.46
What is an Anchor and Windlass?
- Anchor: Holds the ship in place at sea.
- Windlass: Machine used to lower/hoist the anchor chain.
- Chain Length: 1 Shackle = 27.5 meters.
Safety (LSA & PPE)
Q.47
Difference between PPE and LSA
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Protects a body part while working (e.g., Helmet, Gloves, Safety Shoes).
- LSA (Life Saving Appliances): Saves the whole body/life in emergencies like sinking/fire (e.g., Lifeboat, Lifejacket).
Q.48
List 6 Life Saving Appliances (LSA)
- Life Boat
- Life Raft
- Life Buoy
- Life Jacket (Vest)
- Immersion Suit
- Pyrotechnics (Flares)
Q.49
Signal Flags (A and Q)
- Flag 'A' (Alpha): Diver down, keep clear.
- Flag 'Q' (Quebec): My vessel is healthy, I request free pratique.