PST Exit Exam Mock - Questions and Answers Set 2

The 'abandon ship' signal is universally recognized as seven short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle or siren and the general alarm. This distinct sequence alerts all personnel on board to proceed to their muster stations for evacuation, as per SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 36 and STCW Code A-VI/1.

Immersion suits are specifically designed to protect a person from hypothermia in cold water. They provide thermal insulation, significantly reducing heat loss from the body, and often include inherent buoyancy. This is crucial for survival in severe maritime conditions, as detailed in Chapter II of the LSA Code.

For davit-launched liferafts, the painter line (a long rope attached to the liferaft) is essential. It keeps the liferaft close to the ship after launching and while boarding, preventing it from drifting away. It must only be released once the liferaft is waterborne, stable, and all occupants are safely on board, to allow controlled detachment from the vessel. Releasing it prematurely could lead to the liferaft drifting away or capsizing during boarding.

The Muster List is a vital safety document required by SOLAS Chapter III. It must clearly outline each person's designated muster station, their specific duties during various emergencies (e.g., fire, abandon ship), the signals for these emergencies, and general instructions. This ensures an organized and effective response.

In a survival situation, fresh water is extremely precious. Survival guidelines strongly recommend rationing water strictly, often advising against consuming any water during the first 24 hours (if injury/illness allows) to allow the body to adjust. After this, small, controlled amounts are distributed to prolong the supply. Drinking seawater is strictly forbidden as it leads to severe dehydration and kidney failure.

An EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) is designed to transmit a distress alert and position via satellite to a Rescue Coordination Centre. A SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) is designed to assist in locating survival craft or distressed vessels by responding with a unique series of dots on an X-band radar display of a searching vessel or aircraft. Both are crucial GMDSS equipment.

During a helicopter rescue, it's vital to ensure the safety of both the survivors and the helicopter crew. Securing loose items prevents them from becoming dangerous projectiles due to downdraft. Clearing the area where the rescue equipment will be lowered ensures a safe and unobstructed transfer. The sea anchor should already be deployed if in rough seas for stability, but securing loose items and clearing the area is a specific preparatory action for the hoist.

Huddling closely together, forming a human chain or cluster, is a proven survival technique to conserve body heat. This reduces the collective exposed surface area to the cold environment and allows survivors to share warmth, effectively combating hypothermia. Excessive exercise would deplete energy, removing wet clothing might increase heat loss without a dry replacement, and drinking seawater is harmful.

According to Chapter IV of the LSA Code, a liferaft's emergency equipment typically includes items like a first-aid outfit, drinking water, food rations, signaling devices (pyrotechnics, whistle), paddles/oars, sea anchor, repair kit, bailer, and sponges. A motorized outboard engine is not standard equipment for a liferaft; propulsion is typically manual with paddles/oars or assisted by a sea anchor for stability/drift control.

As per Chapter II, Section 2.2.1.2 of the LSA Code, an adult lifejacket must have a buoyancy of at least 75 Newton (N). This minimum buoyancy ensures that it can turn an unconscious person in the water to a position where the mouth and nose are clear of the water and keep them afloat without active swimming.

The general emergency alarm signals an immediate threat requiring all personnel to prepare for a potential emergency. The correct procedure is to don a lifejacket for personal safety and then proceed without delay to the assigned muster station, where further instructions will be given and personnel accounted for according to the vessel's muster list.

STCW Code, Section A-VI/1, paragraph 2.1.1.3, specifically states that personnel should be able to don an immersion suit, if one is required, within 2 minutes without assistance. This time limit ensures prompt preparation for abandonment in cold water conditions.

A Thermal Protective Aid (TPA) is designed to reduce the body heat loss of a person in a survival craft or in the water, thereby protecting against hypothermia. It is especially useful for those who do not have an immersion suit.

The 'Don't jump unless necessary' rule is crucial. Stepping into a survival craft from a low point or sliding down a chute is always safer. If jumping is unavoidable, it should be feet-first, from the lowest possible height, and clear of the ship's side to prevent serious injury upon impact with the water or hitting the vessel's structure.

When a helicopter is sighted, personnel in a survival craft should prepare for rescue. This involves securing loose items that could be blown away, ensuring nothing can foul the rescue equipment, and indicating presence with slow, deliberate waves, avoiding sudden movements or launching pyrotechnics directly at the helicopter which could be dangerous.

The EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) is designed to float free from a sinking vessel or be manually activated. It transmits a distress signal on specific frequencies (e.g., 406 MHz) to satellites, which then relay the position to a shore-based rescue coordination center, enabling long-range location of the survival craft.

The Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) is the most effective position for a lone survivor in cold water. By drawing knees to the chest, hugging arms close to the body, and keeping the head above water, vital areas where heat loss occurs quickly (groin, armpits, neck) are protected, significantly reducing the rate of hypothermia.

Cold water shock is an immediate physiological response to sudden immersion in cold water. It causes an involuntary gasp reflex, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. This can lead to hyperventilation, panic, disorientation, and a significant risk of inhaling water and drowning, even for good swimmers.

A SART (Search and Rescue Transponder) is an active signaling device. When activated and swept by an X-band radar signal from a searching vessel or aircraft, it transmits a series of 12 dots on the radar display, indicating the SART's position and helping search units pinpoint the survival craft.

Helicopters generate significant static electricity. The grounding wire (static discharge line) is lowered first to safely dissipate this charge by touching the water or the deck of the vessel. It is crucial to allow it to make contact and discharge the static electricity *before* any personnel touch the rescue hook, strop, or basket, to prevent a severe electric shock.

The general emergency alarm signal, typically seven short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle and internal alarm, is used to notify everyone on board about an emergency situation, requiring them to proceed immediately to their designated muster stations as specified in the muster list. This is a fundamental aspect of ship safety and emergency procedures under STCW and SOLAS.

After donning a life jacket, it is crucial to ensure it is correctly fitted and all straps are securely tightened. This ensures the life jacket will provide maximum buoyancy and support, keeping the wearer's head clear of the water, especially in rough seas, and preventing it from coming off upon impact with water or during prolonged survival. A properly secured life jacket significantly increases the chances of survival.

According to the LSA Code (which supports STCW requirements for survival craft equipment), liferafts must be equipped with various distress signals, including red parachute flares and red hand flares. These pyrotechnic signals are essential for attracting the attention of rescue units over long distances (parachute flares) and at closer range (hand flares) during day or night.

The muster list is a critical safety document required by SOLAS and emphasized in STCW. It clearly outlines the specific duties and responsibilities of each crew member during different emergency situations (e.g., fire, abandon ship) and specifies the muster stations where passengers and crew should gather. It also details the alarm signals and actions to be taken, ensuring an organized and efficient response to emergencies.

Immersion suits are designed to provide thermal insulation and prevent hypothermia in cold water. They enclose the wearer's entire body, except for the face, creating a protective barrier against the cold water, thus significantly extending survival time in severe conditions. While they might offer some buoyancy and visibility, their primary purpose is thermal protection.

For davit-launched liferafts, the correct and safest procedure is for passengers and crew to board the liferaft while it is still secured on deck. Once everyone is safely inside, the liferaft is then lowered to the water using the davit system. This minimizes the risk of injury during boarding and ensures a controlled abandonment, as per IMO Model Course 1.19 and STCW guidelines.

Pyrotechnic distress signals are limited resources. They should be conserved and used strategically when there is a high probability of being seen by a potential rescuer, such as when an aircraft or vessel is sighted. Using them indiscriminately can deplete them before a real opportunity for rescue arises, thus reducing the chances of being located.

Before being hoisted by a SAR helicopter, it is critical to remove any loose clothing or equipment, such as hats, scarves, or unnecessary gear, or secure it tightly. This prevents items from being blown away by the helicopter's downdraft, potentially hitting others, fouling the hoist cable, or injuring the survivor or rescue personnel. This is a standard safety procedure for helicopter rescue operations.

A common and recommended survival strategy in a survival craft, particularly for the first 24 hours, is to refrain from drinking water, provided there is no medical necessity. This allows the body to acclimatize to the stress and helps to reduce initial thirst, conserving precious water supplies for later stages when dehydration becomes a more significant threat. Water rationing usually commences after this initial period.

Jumping from a ship, especially from a significant height, carries a high risk of serious injury due to the impact with the water. The 'don't jump unless necessary' rule emphasizes boarding survival craft directly from the ship's deck whenever possible, or using designated escape slides or routes to enter the water safely, ensuring a more controlled and less hazardous abandonment procedure, and preserving the physical condition of survivors.