Question 1

You're helping open an emergency escape hatch in a passenger aisle so the crew can inspect the switchboard room below. Once it's open, what should happen before anyone walks near it?

Accepted Answer

A physical barrier, cone, or warning sign should be placed around the opening before anyone works or walks nearby On Your Magic, no barrier or warning sign was placed around either open hatch. The chief mate, walking and talking, didn't notice the port hatch and fell 2.10m onto the switchboard room tank top, dying later that day. Verbal warnings and "everyone already knows" don't survive normal attention lapses — a physical barrier does.

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.