Question 1

Your trawl gear snags something heavy and the hauling cables part, leaving the load fouled and suspended just clear of the seabed. What does THE ROLLING STONES's loss suggest about the right next step?

Accepted Answer

Treat it as a genuinely critical situation — consider releasing the fouled load immediately, and put lifejackets on before doing anything else BEAmer's investigation found THE ROLLING STONES could very likely have been saved by releasing the fouled gear immediately after the cables parted, rather than attempting a six-mile transit with the load still hanging. Neither crewman was wearing a lifejacket because the situation didn't feel critical yet — but a parted cable and an unexplained loss of tow speed are exactly the signal that it already is.

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.