Question 1

True or False: Regulators have urged increased checks on the material condition of ageing fiberglass lifeboats, as older GRP hulls can degrade in ways that aren't always obvious from a routine visual inspection.

Accepted Answer

True Fiberglass (GRP) lifeboat hulls can suffer osmotic blistering, UV degradation, and delamination over decades of service — damage that can weaken structural integrity before it's visually obvious. This is a genuine current safety concern regulators have flagged, not a routine reminder: know your lifeboat's age and inspection history, not just its last drill date.

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.