Common SQA descriptive questions

[The Kraken]

Looking through some old SQA papers I noticed a pattern of several wordy questions coming up time and time again in the Nav and Stability papers. I was thinking if we could start a thread with these, and the model answers, they may be of some use to cadets coming up to doing their writtens.

I came across this little beaut: Describe the procedures and precautions to be taken whilst loading a heavy lift on board a cargo vessel, alongside in port. (13)

My answer would be; Precautions: Ensure the area around the heavy lift is free from people, check the lifting wire for any signs of wear and tear, make sure everyone is wearing correct PPE, ensure the crew have been briefed about the lift and where it is being placed on the ship, have a responsible person in charge of the crane (ie bosun).

Procedures: Ensure work permit is in place, check SWL certificate of crane, check correct documentation for heavy lift, inform port before operations, refer to COSWP to follow safe practices, refer to ships SMS to make sure you are following company policy, calculate added weight and impact it may have on GM and/or UKC rules.

If anybody has any to add to the above feel free! Obviously I suggest going into more detail in the exam as it says describe. These questions can seem fairly subjective at times, hope it helps someone anyhow.

[The Kraken]

Come across another classic question looking through old stability papers: List the duties of the Officer of the Watch with respect to the diving operations that are to take place.(10)

I can think of a few such as raising the Alpha flag, E/R informed, comms between parties, engines shut-down but can't think of 10, any ideas?

[Midge]

Come across another classic question looking through old stability papers: List the duties of the Officer of the Watch with respect to the diving operations that are to take place.(10)

I can think of a few such as raising the Alpha flag, E/R informed, comms between parties, engines shut-down but can't think of 10, any ideas?

Permit to work, logging events, keep a look out for other ship (traffic).Checking company policy. Weather, tidal effects. No it's not my answers asked my cadet

[The Kraken]

Thanks, may prove of use to someone in the future, its been a while since I did any diving op's. I'll post some more common questions/answers when I've got a bit of free time.

[YoungMariner]

Diving Ops, don't forget lock out/tag out transducers, rudders, thrusters. Ensure E.R not performing ballasting/debllasting, port control informed/requested, Masters authorisation, risk assessment, toolbox talk etc.

With Heavylift, stability and ballast are a major consideration well ahead of the operation when using ships cranes, the lift is performed on ballast, not by lifting... (Think about it, what would happen if you tried to pick up a lift from the shoreside, where would the transverse centre if gravity move to and how would the ship react). Check the SWL of the crane at the range from the crane you will be lifting (many cranes the SWL decreases the further from the pedestal), Check the deck loading limits for where you will place it, if necessary spread the weight. Check the SWL and location of lifting points on the lift, check the weight distribution through the spreaders etc. ensure area of the deck are cordoned off, stop gangway use during the lift and have someone monitor the gangway and lines throughout, risk assessments, permits to work. Ensure that all shackles and wires are certified and have been recently tested, check all shackles for cracks (professional companies have the shackles xrayed before every heavy lift) ensure the split pins are in the shackles etc. do you have the correct and sufficient lashings for the lift, heavylifts normally require lashing calculations.