Question 1

You're shooting creels alone at 6 knots and one jams in the shooting gate. What's the safest way to clear it?

Accepted Answer

Put the engine in neutral first, and keep a knife within reach of the gate in case of entanglement — the rope stays under tension from deployed gear even once the engine stops In the real incident, the skipper was pulled through the shooting gate while clearing a jam on a moving vessel — a task that involved crossing a taut back rope. Neutral reduces but doesn't eliminate rope tension from already-deployed gear, which is why a knife within immediate reach of the gate specifically is critical.

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.