Question 1

Your MOB drills use a small buoy as the practice casualty. What does this actually verify?

Accepted Answer

Only that the crew can manoeuvre the vessel back to a floating object — it says nothing about their ability to physically lift a heavier, unconscious person aboard In the real incident, MOB drills used a small buoy rather than a weighted mannequin. The crew's actual limitation — inability to lift a real casualty over the freeboard without a mechanical recovery system — was never tested or discovered before the day it mattered.

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.