Question 1

A crew member's safety tether hook opened after snagging on a jackstay termination cleat and becoming laterally loaded. MAIB found the hook met its ISO design standard. What does this tell you about relying on standards-certified safety equipment?

Accepted Answer

A standard only certifies performance against the loading conditions it actually tests — a configuration outside that envelope, like lateral loading here, may not be covered at all CV30's tether hook opened under lateral loading — a configuration ISO 12401 did not test at the time. MAIB's Rec 2019/110 exists specifically because the standard had a blind spot, not because the hook failed to meet its own specification.

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.