Question 1

Under MSC.1/Circ.1432 — Revised Guidelines for the Maintenance and Inspection of Fire Protection Systems and Appliances — what is the standard inspection/servicing interval for portable fire extinguishers, and what tolerance is generally accepted?

Accepted Answer

Annual or 2-yearly depending on type, with a tolerance of approximately ±3 months generally accepted MSC.1/Circ.1432 (which replaced earlier IMO guidance in 2012) specifies annual or 2-yearly inspection/servicing depending on extinguisher type, with roughly ±3 months considered an acceptable variation. Separately, at each 5-yearly Class renewal survey, portable extinguishers should be inspected by an approved service company with contents changed if required.

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.