Question 1

Roughly how long had the Third Mate been awake and working before the Exxon Valdez grounding?

Accepted Answer

Up to approximately 18 hours, with as little as 4 hours' sleep beforehand The NTSB found the Third Mate had had as little as four hours' sleep and a brief afternoon nap, and had likely been awake and working for up to eighteen hours by the time of the grounding — a level of fatigue that delayed his recognition that the turn was overdue.

Question 2

You're asked to test a deck crane grab after electrical repairs nearby. As the grab is hoisted, what should have happened first?

Accepted Answer

The area within the grab's swing radius should be cleared of personnel before the lift On the bulk carrier Fairfield Eagle, a crew member working nearby was struck and fatally injured when a grab being test-lifted after repairs swung unexpectedly. The investigation found the area should have been cleared and barriered before the test lift began.

Question 3

A toolbox talk held before a lifting operation should explicitly cover which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Who must remain clear of the exclusion zone while the lift takes place A toolbox talk exists to make sure everyone present understands the danger zones, the abort signal, and — critically — who must not be in the area while the lift happens. The RMIMA investigation into the Fairfield Eagle fatality found the toolbox talk had not made this clear.