Q: True or False: COSWP permits live electrical working on board in some circumstances, provided specific additional precautions are taken.

True — permitted only if essential for safety or testing, with a second competent person, insulated gloves, a dry mat, and a safe working position COSWP Chapter 20.13 allows live working only when essential for safety or testing, and only with a second electrically competent person in continuous attendance, insulated gloves, a dry insulating mat, and a secure working position clear of bare metal. The Chief Engineer on Baton Rouge worked alone with none of these precautions in place, on a repair a relief engineer subsequently completed successfully with the circuit isolated.

Question 1

True or False: COSWP permits live electrical working on board in some circumstances, provided specific additional precautions are taken.

Accepted Answer

True &mdash; permitted only if essential for safety or testing, with a second competent person, insulated gloves, a dry mat, and a safe working position COSWP Chapter 20.13 allows live working only when essential for safety or testing, and only with a second electrically competent person in continuous attendance, insulated gloves, a dry insulating mat, and a secure working position clear of bare metal. The Chief Engineer on Baton Rouge worked alone with none of these precautions in place, on a repair a relief engineer subsequently completed successfully with the circuit isolated.

Question 2

Under the ISM Code and as reinforced in Gard's guidance to Members, the Master's overriding authority to make decisions for the safety of the ship and protection of the environment can be overruled by a commercial instruction from the company, such as a charterer's order to sail on schedule.

Accepted Answer

False False. Gard's guidance to Members consistently stresses that the ISM Code (element 5) gives the Master overriding authority and responsibility for safety and pollution prevention decisions — and that companies must ensure this authority is not undermined by commercial pressure. A charterer's or owner's commercial instruction never overrides the Master's safety judgement; Masters who feel pressured are advised to record their decision and reasoning and report it to the company and, where relevant, to their P&I correspondent.

Question 3

A crew member identifies that a piece of safety equipment does not match what is listed on the safety equipment plan. What is the correct way to handle this under the SMS?

Accepted Answer

Raise it as a non-conformity/observation through the SMS reporting process so it is recorded, investigated, corrected, and — if it reflects a wider issue — used to improve procedures or the safety equipment plan itself The ISM Code requires a system for reporting non-conformities, accidents and hazardous occurrences so they can be analysed and corrective/preventive action taken — quietly fixing an issue without recording it loses this opportunity for systemic improvement.