Safety Practice Questions

1. A Class A fire involves which type of combustible material?

• A.Ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth✓
• B.Flammable liquids such as gasoline and oil
• C.Energized electrical equipment
• D.Combustible metals such as magnesium and titanium

Why: Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, cloth, and rubber. These fires leave ash after burning, which is the basis for the letter 'A' designation.

2. Under GMDSS, vessels in Sea Area A1 must maintain a continuous watch on DSC Channel 70. This watch is typically maintained by:

• A.A licensed radio officer stationed at the radio room at all times
• B.Automatic scanning receiver with DSC capability integrated into the VHF radio✓
• C.A dedicated satellite terminal set to Channel 70 polling
• D.The helmsman monitoring the VHF radio continuously

Why: GMDSS eliminated the dedicated radio officer requirement by mandating automatic DSC watchkeeping via a scanning DSC receiver integrated into the VHF radio, which monitors Channel 70 continuously without requiring a dedicated human watch.

3. A mariner transmits a false MAYDAY to test whether the Coast Guard will respond quickly. What are the potential legal consequences under U.S. law?

• A.A warning letter from the FCC with a 30-day probationary period
• B.Civil penalties up to $10,000 and/or criminal penalties including fines up to $250,000 and imprisonment under 14 U.S.C. § 521 and 47 U.S.C. § 325✓
• C.Loss of radio operator's permit for 90 days per FCC regulations
• D.No penalty if the person confesses before a rescue unit is actually deployed

Why: Under 14 U.S.C. § 521, knowingly and willfully communicating a false distress signal is a federal crime. Penalties can include civil fines up to $10,000 per violation and criminal prosecution with fines up to $250,000 and imprisonment, reflecting the serious risk to SAR personnel caused by false alarms.

4. Sea Area A4 covers:

• A.Harbors and rivers
• B.The polar regions outside Inmarsat coverage (above ~70° latitude)✓
• C.Within 20 nm of shore
• D.The Inmarsat footprint

Why: Sea Area A4 is the polar regions (roughly above 70°N and below 70°S) outside Inmarsat geostationary coverage; HF communications are required there.

5. A fire involving flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, or grease is what class of fire?

• A.Class A
• B.Class B✓
• C.Class C
• D.Class D

Why: Class B fires involve flammable liquids and gases. Class A is ordinary combustibles (wood, paper); Class C is energized electrical equipment; Class D is combustible metals. The fuel determines the class and the correct extinguishing agent.