Interview questions and answers

A. Work permits:
1. Hot work

2. Enclosed space (Gas readings?)

3. Asbestos related work

4. Unscheduled work

5. Electrical maintenance (High & Low voltage)

6. Invasive maintenance of pressurized systems/equipment

7. Working aloft (Meters?)

8. Working overside

9. Lifting operations

10. Diving operations

11. Lifeboat operations and Maintenance

12. Maintenance of Passenger Lift, Systems & Equipment

13. Safety systems/trip bypass permit

14. Critical equipment maintenance permit

Permits more related to your position:

Unscheduled work – in case if there is any urgent job which must be done, only SMT can give, 2 nd
engineer or Chief Engineer. Appropriate RA and TBT should be done before approaching job.
Isolations, lockouts, tags, checks, permit in workplace. Complete the Unscheduled Work
Authorisation whenever:

 It is necessary to carry out work not discussed at work planning meeting or is not covered by
another permit within PTW system

Invasive maintenance of pressurized systems/equipment – permit which is used daily in ER.

Maintenance of all equipment, proper isolation, lockout tagout, independent person should check
before you start doing job.

To carry out invasive work on pressurised systems or equipment

Exemption
 Domestic FW systems
 SW systems / equipment pipe under 100mm nominal diameter and where rated working
pressure is under 5 kg/cm2
 Low pressure and small calibration instrument air systems under 1.5 bar
 Testing while re-commissioning after maintenance
 Cleaning certain filters that get dirty at regular intervals during watchkeeping in E/Rm.,
  Inform managing office for permission
 Such invasive permit shall be valid for 24 hours and it shall not be required to prepare same
every time filter gets clogged, permit condition remaining unchanged.
 New permit shall be issued by C/Eng every 24 hours
 Filling of SCBA Cylinders when discussed and documented in Daily Work Plan, however a permit
issuance is required when carrying out maintenance on compressor or SCBA cylinders.

 Hot work - HW Class 0: Hot work permit is NOT required:

 Machinery space workshop
 Designated welding area within machinery space
 HW Class I: Permit Required
 Within the Machinery space but outside workshop and designated welding area.
 No HW to be carried out on or within 500mm of bunker tanks unless tanks are clean, gas
free and safe for HW
 HW Class II: Permit Required
 On deck at least 30 meters abaft the cargo and bunker tanks at the main deck level and on
superstructure decks
 Testing of firing weapons on the bridge deck
 HW Class III: Permit Required
 Area in any shipboard location not covered by Classes 0, I, and II.
 HW to be carried when ship in Ballast condition, HW to be prohibited during Cargo ops,
inerting, gas freeing or purging, bunker transfer.
 Exemption – HW Permit not required
 Hot Work carried out in the machinery space workshop or designated Hot Work area within the
machinery space where hot work class 0 checklist to be used.
 Using Portable electric equipment within the accommodation or machinery spaces outside
Hazardous Areas
 Using Low energy ignition sources in areas where the release of gas hazardous atmospheres is
effectively prevented such as:
 needle guns
 hand scaling
 pneumatic drilling
 pneumatic chisels
 pneumatic grinding
 disking machines equipped with flexible sanding disks
 grit/hydro blasting
 Armed guards carrying weapons, live ammunition, and communication radios on bridge deck
 Routine testing of the Lifeboat/Rescue boat engines

Lifting operations - quite often for engineers, for lifting boxes with spare parts, heavy parts and
during dismantling and boxing back machinery parts.

To lift objects using lifting equipment, vessel must ensure that:

 Permit is completed
 Toolbox meeting is carried out
 Everyone is trained, aware and understand lifting and hoisting procedures
 Signalling methods and communication agreed and clear to all
 Only section 2 in Form 609 is completed when using single block or chain block with SWL of Max
1 MT
 Sections 2 and 3 is completed when using Crane or Chain block over 1 MT or multiple Chain
blocks
 Lifting plan with RA is prepared for complex lifts taking into account:
 Weight/size of objects
 Route of the lift
 team responsibilities/roles
 Permit is issued when 3rd party is involved in lifting operation
Exemption
In event of emergency that requires use of lifting equipment to rescue personnel

Lifeboat operations and maintenance – mostly for weekly SOLAS checks.

 Carry out any work on or operate the Lifeboat, Rescue Boat, any Davit, or any associated
equipment
 Make preliminary entry into boat, where only relevant sections of permit should be completed
Exemption
 When conducting a normal (non-waterborne) Lifeboat drill, provided the boat remains
unmanned at all time
 When lifeboats and associated equipment are being used in an emergency situation.

Enclosed space – For entering tanks, cleaning and inspection, for entering in main engine crankcase
and scavenge space for inspection.

Woking aloft – Also common permit in ER for example for 3rd engineer during air cooler replacement
when staging is needed, and work is on height. Piping job, gasket replacement on height. Permit
from 1.8 meters. Person who is doing work should wear safety harness. Harness should have
certificate and always need to check condition before use. Harness needs to replace every 5 years.

To work at a height greater than 1.8 meters (6 feet) above deck level when working outside a
protective environment which includes:

 approved scaffolds
 stairs with handrails
 man lifts
When working at a height outside a protective environment ensure:

 The job is risk assessed

 Permit Issued
 Authorisation and confirmation on the start of work is obtained
 Correct fall equipment is used and required training done for using such equipment
 Equipment working and the condition is satisfactory
 Always secure [tie off] when at height outside a protective environment

B. Difference between Incident and Accident:

Accident is a unplanned event, sequence of events that result in harm to people, damage to
environment, asset or loss of reputation.

Incident is a unplanned event without injuries or harm and damage to people, environment and
assets. (but can lead to accident)

Event – a happening caused by humans, automatically operated equipment, operating equipment,

components or the result of a natural Fennomen.

Direct cause – underlying reason why a casual factor occurred, but it is not deep enough to be a root
cause.

Root cause - deficiency of management system that allows the causal factors to occur or exist.

Near Miss – unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness or damage but had potential to do
so.

C. Enclosed space described – With poor or no natural ventilation, with limited openings for entry
and exit. Which is not designed for continuous worker occupancy. Where access is limited, and
which may contain a dangerous and hazardous atmosphere due to the presence of one or a
combination of following but not limited to: Hydrocarbon gas, toxic gases, Inert gas including
nitrogen, Oxygen deficiency (lack of oxygen), Accumulation of toxic and or heavy gases at lower
levels within the space or Oxygen enrichment.

Entry procedure and main things to pay attention to (checks, readings) – Take readings every 30
minutes while somebody is inside. Before entry need to stop ventilation and take readings after 10
minutes. STANDBY MAN should be always in position. Maximum 5 PPM of Benzene is allowed but
nobody will enter only if reading will be 0. Also can be gas pockets. If im not sure I will check with
DIB (Deck information book) or EIB (Engine Information book) or clarify with SMT. People who have
certificate of eligibility only can do gas readings, that means they passed all CBT’s and training and
have certificate.

C1. Enclosed spaces:

1. Cargo Tanks
2. Cargo Tank Insulation Spaces
3. Ballast Tanks
4. Cofferdams
5. Peak Tanks
6. Chain lockers
7. Duct Keels
8. Void spaces
9. Inter-barrier spaces
10. Fresh water tanks
11. Fuel oil bunker tanks
12. Gas oil bunker tanks
13. Lubricating storage tanks
14. FWD pump rooms

C1.2 Machinery enclosed spaces:

1. Diesel engine crankcases

2. Exhaust and Scavenge Receivers
3. Boiler Furnaces and Uptakes
4. Steam side of Boilers and Condensers
5. Inert Gas Scrubbers and Water Seals
6. Sewage Tanks
7. Funnel Top (in way of uptakes)
8. Any other item of machinery or equipment that is not routinely ventilated occupied
by people and entered, such as boilers, main engine crankcases and other parts of
machinery

Enclosed space maximum period of validity = 8 hours, if issued with hot work = 6 hours (Every 30
min to check atmosphere during entering), stop ventilation and after 10 minutes can check
atmosphere before entering. No more than 50% of the Deck or Engine department be within an
enclosed space at any one time

C1.3 following spaces that do not meet the criteria for an enclosed space but may have an
unsafe atmosphere:

1. Bow thruster Room

2. Nitrogen Generator Room
3. Inert Gas Plant Room
4. Side Passageways
5. Compressor Room
6. CO2 Room
 7. Paint store
8. Enclosed Lifeboat
9. Chemical store
10. Oxygen or Acetylene Rooms
11. Dry powder room
12. Battery Locker
13. Ballast water treatment room
14. Crane motor trunks
15. Forecastle Store

Precautions to be adopted before entering above spaces:

1. Ventilation to be continuously running during entry

2. Atmosphere Checks Prior Entry
3. Recording of entry and exit
4. Person entering space must have following safety equipment:

a) Walkie Talkie
b) Personal Gas detector & O2 analyser

C1.4 Cargo Machinery Space Entry:

This section covers the special precautions necessary for entering and working in Cargo Machinery
spaces on gas carriers and does not apply when the system is out-of-service and free of gases, for
example dry dock periods.

The Cargo machinery spaces may contain high-pressure nitrogen, methane and petroleum gas pipe
work and equipment. The space ventilation must be running with dampers fully open to ensure
designed air change achieved at all times.

These spaces are normally ventilated, however in the event of ventilation failure, they must be
treated as enclosed spaces, all usual precautions put in place, and an Enclosed Space Entry Permit
(PTW 602) completed.

Each person entering such spaces for any reason including routine inspections, log-keeping, and
maintenance must:

Carry a radio (there is no requirement to call the OOW upon entry/exit unless there is a problem)

Confirm that ventilation fans are running, and dampers are fully open

Confirm that the fixed gas detection in the spaces is functional

Wear a personal multi gas detector

Have a personal escape set such as an EEBD in the immediate vicinity

Record entry and exit on a board at the entrance to the space

Six additional escape sets must be made available for entering these spaces. Two escape sets must
be stored at the immediate entrance of the space or outside the space and the remainder in the
safety store. These sets are independent from the current fire safety plan.
Why chain locker is enclosed space? – Because of oxidation which causes reduction of oxygen.

Why paint locker is not enclosed space? Because it has posted entry procedure and fan must be
working)

Why Pump room is enclosed space? – Because there are pumps and piping. Toxic gases can be
vaporized from fuel pipes and piping

Is lifeboat an enclosed space? According to IMS is not but it is also required to open the doors before
entry and ventilate because there can be toxic gases trapped inside from oil in the tank.

D. Firefighting systems:

1. Foam system (High expansion, low expansion)

2. Water mist, water spray, water
3. CO2
4. Dry Chemical
5. Novec
6. Steam smothering
7. Wet chemical

D1. Fire classes/types (requires 3 components to be present – Fuel (material), Heat and Oxygen

1. A - Solid materials – bedding, garbage, rope, paper, canvas – best to use water for
extinguishing
2. B – Flammable liquids- oils, fats and paints – smothering or blanketing effect is essential.
Foam is primary, dry powder may be used to chemically inhibit the flame. Water in the
form of spray or mist can be used to great effect under certain conditions, utilizing its
cooling properties.
3. C – Gases – primary is to inhibit flame using dry powder. Foam, CO2 or nitrogen may
also be utilised for smothering effect.
4. D – Metals – Magnesium, sodium, titanium, zirconium. Fire of this type would not
normally be experienced on board as highly reactive metals are not used in ship
construction. Extinguished by excluding oxygen or using specialised metal dry power
extinguishers.
5. F – Fires involving cooking oils – blankets, CO2 and
NOVEC – for extinguishing electrical equipment – switchboard rooms. Novec is in
vapour state and acts to change the state of a fire by chemical, it has the effect of being
able to absorb heat from the fire.

D2. Extinguishers:

1. Foam – wood, paper, textiles and flammable liquids

2. Dry powder/dry chemical (class B and C) – flammable liquids, electrical equipment and
flammable gasses
 3. CO2 – flammable liquids and electrical equipment
4. Wet chemical (F and K) – cooking grease, fats or oil fires

E. Lifeboat batteries – Dry cell, jell type, non-spillable, completely sealed and maintenance free – no
vaporising, also work well in cold temperatures, low self-discharging rate. Dry-cell because liquid
type batteries can make dangerous atmosphere while evaporating or vaporization

F. DPA – Designated Person Ashore – Ibrahim Lamah, (Deputy Zillur Rashid, Yashdeep Chaudhary)
any member of the ship can contact DPA directly regarding health, safety and security and
environmental concerns and issues relating to the non-compliance with the IMS.

G. What is 15 PPM etc?! It’s not only measuring oil content but also all impurities using photometric
cell which can detect also oxygen bubbles and act on 15 ppm content.

Oily water separator (OWS), a piece of equipment used to separate oil and water mixtures into their
separate components. Bilge separator or oil filtering equipment is required by MARPOL Annex I,
Regulation 14 to be installed on any ship above 400 GT. The equipment shall be of a design approved
by the administration and tested and installed according to guidelines in MEPC. 107(49) as amended
by MEPC.
If we are processing oily water through our oily water separator (OWS), how far offshore must the
vessel be to comply with MARPOL?
Within Regulation 15 of MARPOL Annex I there are no distance from land requirements for
operation of the OWS. If your vessel is within a "Special Area", other considerations apply. However,
there are specific distance requirements for some nation's territorial waters which you need to
check depending on your vessel's trade routes.
How many Annexes are there in MARPOL?
There are 6 Annexes in MARPOL dealing with 1.pollution from oil, 2.noxious liquid substances in
bulk, 3.harmful substances carried in packaged form, 4.sewage, 5.garbage and 6.air pollution.

H. Who is MPD – works with sea staff on concerning suitability of personnel for promotion, possible
secondment or career development and undertake assessments of candidates for promotions.
Human resource management or simply competency testing.

How to aim fire extinguisher? – At the base of any fire, because this is where the fuel is. If you aim
at the flames – the extinguishing agent will fly right through and do no good. Sweep from side to
side, right-left, up and down, depends of flame. Never go in front flame if gas is burning, try to hit
flame from side. Keep adequate distance.

Critical Equipment List

Listed below, along with their respective Ship Repair Codes, are such equipment and systems that
have been defined as HSSE critical equipment of systems:

Steering Gear Unit & Pumps 403

Hydraulic Telemotor System 403

Tailshaft & Bearings, Sterntube & Seals 631

Intermediate Shafting & Bearings 631

Main Engine Diesel Propulsion 601~602

Main Turbines 612

Reduction Gearing 637

Main Thrust Bearing 601,602

Gas Detection Equipment (Fixed & Handheld) 811

ECDIS (Vessels where ECDIS is Primary system) 417

Fire Detection System 811

Operationally and/or Commercially Significant Equipment and Systems:

Emergency Towing Arrangement 437

Ventilators & Shut Off Flaps 812

Windlass Cable Lifters and Engines 433/434

Mooring winches & spooling winches 433/434

Emergency Fire Pump 813

Inert Gas Plant 376

Cargo Pumps (gas) 355

Gas Combustion Unit 355/649

Gas Compressors 376

Reliquefaction Plant 376/381

Nitrogen Generators 376

Emergency Generator 665

Emergency Air Compressor 731

SCBA Air Compressor 505/503

Incinerator 445

Sewage Plant 582

Bilge Separator 803

Emergency Bilge Injection 803

Emergency Batteries 866

Emergency Shutdown System 812

Cargo/Ballast tank Level Indicators/Alarms 381/389

Oil Content Meters (Bilge/Ballast) 801/803

Lifeboat Davits & Winches 501

Lifeboats & Engines 501

Liferafts & HRU 502

CO2 Fixed Fire Fighting Systems 815

Dry Powder Fixed Fire Fighting System 818

Novec 1230 Fixed Fire Fighting System 815

Foam Fixed Fire Fighting System 816

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus

505
(SCBA)

Quick Closing Systems 795/812

VDR/SVDR 423

Radars 411

EPIRB's/SART's 422

GMDSS Station 421

Purplefinder 421/413

Automatic Identification System (AIS) 412