FAQ Orals (LSA)

Why Is A Hydrostatic Release Fitted To A Liferaft?
In The Event Of The Vessel Sinking, The Hydrostatic Release Operates At A Predetermined Water Depth, Releasing The Liferaft Lashings, Allowing The Liferaft To Float Free And Inflate.
 
Describe A Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Set?
The Self-contained Breathing Apparatus Set Usually Consists Of One Or Two Cylinders Of Compressed Air Kept In A Harness, Which Is Carried On The Back.  Cylinders Usually Being Charged To A Pressure Of Around 200-240 Bar.   The High Pressure Air Is Fed Through A Reducing Valve And Then To A Demand Valve, Which Can Be Set In Positive Pressure Mode, That Will Supply A Constant Demand Of Air, Or In Demand Mode, Which Will Only Supply Air As The Wearer Demands.  A Non-return Valve Permits Breathing Out To Atmosphere.
The Set Incorporates A Warning Whistle That Sounds On Low Air Pressure.
A Standard Cylinder Will Allow For About 20-25 Minutes Operation, But This Will Also Depend On A Few Factors, Such As Workload Of Wearer.
 
What Survival Equipment Would You Expect To Find In A Lifeboat?
Survival Equipment Would Include Oars, A Boathook, A Compass, Distress Rockets, First Aid Equipment, Rations And Fresh Water.
 
What Must The Capability Of Gravity Davits Be With Regards Heel Of Ship?
The Davits Must Be Able To Lower The Lifeboats When The Ship Is Heeled To 15° On Either Side.
 
How Do You Carry Out A Face Seal Check On A Breathing Apparatus Set?
Don Face Mask, Tighten Straps Properly And Turn Air Supply On.  Then Switch Air Supply Off And Breath In, The Mask Should Stick To Face.  Note, Pressure Gauge Should Not Drop Rapidly Either.
 
What Speed Does The Centrifugal Brake On A Lifeboat Winch Limit The Speed Of Fall Of The Lifeboat To?
The Centrifugal Brake On A Lifeboat Will Not Allow The Lifeboat To Fall Faster Than 36m/min.
 
Explain The Procedure For Lowering A Lifeboat With Gravity Davits.
The Lifeboat Is Held In Against A Cradle By Ropes Called Gripes And The Cradle Is Secured By Pins. With The Gripes And Securing Pins (sometimes Known As Harbour Pins) Are Removed And Released, The Winch Handbrake Can Be Released To Enable The Cradle To Slide Down And Over The Ship's Side.
A "Tricing-in Pennant (wire)" Brings The Lifeboat Close To The Ship's Side To Enable It To Be Boarded. 
The Bowsing Lines Which Fasten To Each End Of The Lifeboat Are Then Used To Hold It In To The Ship's Side, The "Tricing-in Pennants" Then Being Released.
A Painter Is Then Led From The Forward End Of The Lifeboat And Attached Somewhere Forward Of The Lifeboat On The Ship.  Lifeboat Plugs Are Then Secured.
Once The Crew Are On Board The Lifeboat The Bowsing Lines Are Released And The Lifeboat Is Lowered To The Water.  The Engine Is Started, Falls Released And Then The Painter.
 
What Checks Should Be Carried Out On A Breathing Apparatus Set Before Entering A Smoke Filled Compartment?
The Following Checks Should Be Carried Out:
Ensure The Bottle Is Full,
Check Operation Of Low Pressure Whistle, And
Face Seal Check Should Be Carried Out.
 
 What Is Done To Ensure That A Lifeboat Engine Will Start When Needed?
At Least Once Every Two Weeks, But Better Still Once A Week The Lifeboat Engine Should Be Run, All Fuel And Oil Levels Checked And The Gearbox Should Be Operated I.e. Engine Run Astern And Ahead To Check Operation.
Most Engines Are Air Cooled, But Some Are A Combination Of Air And Water, In Which Case Water Level Checked And If Operating In Cold Climates Anti-freeze Levels Also.
Larger Lifeboat Engines Will Be Battery Started, Therefore Condition Of Battery Must Be Checked I.e.  S G Of Electrolyte And That Electrolyte Is Covering Cell Plates.
 
What Are The Two Brakes On A Lifeboat Winch?
The Two Brakes On A Lifeboat Are A Centrifugal Brake And A Weighted Brake Known As A "Dead-Man's Brake" I.e. Once You Let Go Of The Braking Lever, The Brake Will Come Into Action Stopping The Fall Of The Lifeboat.