Safety
Life-saving and fire-fighting equipment, drills and emergency procedures.
Topics in study order
- 1.Emergency Organisation: Alarms, Musters and Drills
How a ship organises itself for any emergency: initial action, FORDEC and muster teams, the general emergency alarm (7 short + 1 long), the muster list and the drill rules of SOLAS III/19 and MGN 71. The alarm signal and drill frequencies come up in almost every MCA oral.
11 cards
1 Nov 2026 - 2.Fire Triangle, Classes of Fire and Portable Extinguishers
What a fire needs (triangle and tetrahedron), the four ways to put it out, the classes of fire A–F and which portable extinguisher — water, foam, dry powder, CO2 or wet chemical — to use on each, plus marking, colours and maintenance (IMO A.951(23), MGN 276). Choosing the right extinguisher is a core MCA oral question.
12 cards
1 Nov 2026 - 3.Fire Prevention, Detection and Fixed Fire-Fighting Systems
How a ship stops fires starting and spreading, finds them early and fights them with the fire main, hoses, the international shore connection and fixed systems (foam, CO2, water spray, water mist, HFC gas, aerosols), with the CO2 safety rules of MGN 354. Fixed systems and the shore connection are favourite MCA oral questions.
12 cards
1 Nov 2026 - 4.Fighting a Fire on Board: Engine Room, Galley, BA and EEBD
What to do once a fire has started on board: the FIRE mnemonic, the OOW's first actions, engine-room, galley and paint-locker fires, and the breathing apparatus, fire-fighter's outfit and EEBDs the crew rely on. Fire scenarios are among the most common MCA oral questions.
12 cards
1 Nov 2026 - 5.GMDSS: Sea Areas, Equipment and Routine Checks
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System: what it does, the four sea areas A1–A4 (updated for the 2024 SOLAS IV changes and Iridium), the minimum radio equipment, maintenance and power supply, NAVTEX, and the daily, weekly and monthly checks. A standard MCA oral subject for every OOW.
12 cards
1 Nov 2026 - 6.EPIRB, SART and Receiving a DSC Distress Alert
How an EPIRB, a SART and a PLB raise the alarm and lead rescuers to you (406 MHz, Cospas-Sarsat, 121.5 MHz homing, 48 h and 96 h + 8 h batteries), and what the OOW does on receiving a VHF, MF or HF DSC distress alert. A classic MCA oral question.
11 cards
1 Nov 2026 - 7.Man Overboard: Turns, Initial Action and Recovery
Man overboard from the bridge: the three situations (witnessed, delayed, person missing), the Anderson, Williamson and Scharnow recovery turns, the OOW's initial actions, search patterns and getting the casualty back on board. A classic MCA oral question: pick the right turn and give your actions in order.
10 cards
1 Nov 2026 - 8.Collision, Grounding, Flooding and Machinery Failure
What the OOW does in the first minutes after a steering gear failure, main engine failure, collision, grounding or flooding: the actions in order, the lights, shapes and sound signals to show, and who to tell. Examiners expect these checklists without hesitation.
11 cards
1 Nov 2026 - 9.Heavy Weather Preparation and Seaworthiness
What makes a ship seaworthy, how to prepare the ship and crew before heavy weather (watertight integrity, vessel security, crew safety), and the steering gear tests and drills SOLAS V/26 requires. Classic MCA oral questions: examiners want a clear, ordered checklist.
10 cards
1 Nov 2026 - 10.Helicopter Operations with a Vessel
How a ship gets ready for a SAR helicopter: what to report, clearing the deck, radar and lights, the wind 30° on the port bow, fire cover, static discharge, the hi-line and the lifting devices. A favourite MCA oral question: talk the examiner through the preparation in order.
12 cards
1 Nov 2026 - 11.LSA Rules, Liferafts, HRU and Rescue Boats
Who sets the rules for life-saving appliances (SOLAS III, national regulations, LSA Code) and the kit an officer must know: liferaft A and B packs, container markings, hydrostatic release units, rescue boats and on-load/off-load release gear. A core MCA oral subject: examiners want numbers and references.
12 cards
1 Nov 2026 - 12.Lifejackets, Lifebuoys, Immersion Suits and Pyrotechnics
Personal life-saving appliances and distress pyrotechnics: what lifejackets, lifebuoys, immersion suits, thermal protective aids, flares and smoke signals must do (LSA Code) and how many a ship or small commercial vessel carries (SOLAS III, MGN 280). A favourite MCA oral subject: examiners expect the numbers.
11 cards
1 Nov 2026 - 13.Abandon Ship and Survival in a Liferaft
Who orders abandon ship and the eight steps to leave the vessel, the five immediate actions in a liferaft and the 20-point survival routine of IMO A.657(16) (formerly MGN 77), plus the four survival priorities. A favourite MCA oral question: examiners expect the steps in the right order.
12 cards
1 Nov 2026