CD#0158_Maritime English, Report Writing

Assessment Chapter – 49 Questions

Q - Question
A - Answer(s)

Q- Which of the following makes it mandatory for ships to report non-

conformities, accidents, and hazardous occurrences?
A-  The ISM Code

Q- Why is it necessary for narrative reports to be accurately written? (Select all

applicable answers.)
A-  So that a person who was not involved with the occurrence can understand
clearly what the report coveys.
 So that there is a clear record of events that occurred.

Q- Why are photographs an important tool with regard to report writing? (Select
all applicable answers.)
A-  Because photographs capture minor details that you may not have noticed
or recorded.
 Because they may serve as evidence in a court of law.

Q- Before starting to write a report what should you decide upon? (Select all
applicable answers.)
A-  Collecting witness statements.
 Whether the report covers an accident or incident, a near miss, hazard or a
non-conformance.

Q- A cook slipped and hurt himself in the galley. What information would not be
required in a report? (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  He had been preparing breakfast prior to the accident.
 The second cook had been assisting with preparing breakfast.

Q- A cook slipped and fell in the galley. What should not be stated in a report
covering this accident? (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  In my opinion the cook slipped.
 In my opinion the cook lost his balance.

Q- How should ship positions be reported? (Select all applicable answers.)

A-  As a bearing from a charted object.
 In terms of latitude and longitude.

Q- Based upon what should you make recommendations in your report?

A-  The cause of damage.

Q- How should your reports be written?

A-  In the past tense.
 In the correct chronological order.

Q- What should accompany your reports? (Select all applicable answers.)

A-  Photographs.
 Witness statements.
 Hand sketches.

Q- Chief Engineer Melville needs to include photographs of the damaged

turbocharger, taken by the Second Engineer, into his report. At which stage of
the report writing process should he collect this evidence?
A-  Pre-writing

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Q- In which stage of writing process is it advisable to put all your thoughts on
paper without worrying about punctuation and spellings?
A-  Drafting

Q- Captain Pollock usually writes long and complicated sentences in his report. At
which stage of the report writing process should he simplify the language in
his report?
A-  Revising

Q- Captain Pitroda often confuses the word “weather” with “whether”. At which
stage of the report writing process should he identify and correct this mistake?
A-  Editing

Q- Which stage of the report writing process is appropriate for checking spellings
and correcting punctuations?
A-  Editing

Q- Which of these sentences is correct?

A-  The crew were in their mess room at the time of the incident.

Q- What does the word ‘there’ indicate? (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  A location, such as the engine room or accommodation.

Q- Which of these statements is correct?

A-  The ship passed through the straits of Gibraltar.

Q- Which of these statements is correct?

A-  The crew searched for the missing seaman in vain.

Q- Which of these statements is correct?

A-  ‘Vein’ refers to a part of the body through which blood flows.

Q- Although designed for verbal communications, what can you refer to for report
writing purposes?
A-  The GMDSS handbook.

Q- Which of these is the correct form of response to the question: “What is your
position?” (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  “My position is three point six nautical miles east of Small Island”.
 “My position is fifteen degrees north, ninety five degrees west.”

Q- Which of these is the correct form of response to the question: “From what
direction is your vessel approaching?” (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  “My vessel is approaching from the South.”
 “My vessel is approaching from the eastern lighthouse.”

Q- What would be the correct response to: ‘What is your present maximum
draught?’
A-  My present maximum draught is nine point three meters.

Q- Why is it mandatory to report a ‘near miss’?

A-  Because it is an ISM Code requirement.

Q- Why are many near-misses not reported? (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  Because near-misses come close to things going wrong when, in fact, they
don’t.
 Because of the misconception that if something didn’t go wrong, there is no
need to report it.
 Because an individual’s competency might be questioned.

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Q- Which of these is not a hazard? (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  Crew injury
 Ship collisions

Q- The sudden operational failure of which of the following could result in a

hazardous situation on board? (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  Steering gear or associated pumps
 Navigation lights at night
 Inert gas scrubber during cargo operations

Q- Prior to an incident, a verbal agreement had been made between an oil

terminal and a vessel. Why would it be necessary to state this fact in your
report? (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  To emphasise that nothing was agreed in writing
 Because the verbal agreement constituted a non-conformity.
 Because it was a normal practice carried out by this specific vessel.

Q- Which of these events can be categorised as a ‘near-miss’?

A-  A ship pushed off her berth with a cargo arm attached, but without incident.

Q- What are non-conformances?

A-  Departures from the requirements specified in a ship’s SMS
 Departures from standard shipboard procedures

Q- Which of these are major non-conformances? (Select all applicable answers.)

A-  Not carrying out risk assessments, where required.
 By-passing the oily water separator.
 Incorrect entries in the oil record book.
 Not issuing ‘hot work’ permits, where required.

Q- What action is required where there is a major non-conformance?

A-  Immediate corrective action

Q- Which of these statements does not describe an event?

A-  Associated alarm lights
 Lubricating oil and boiler feed water

Q- What is an incident? (Select all applicable answers.)

A-  An accidental event that often happens due to certain developments
spinning out of control during an operation
 An accidental event inconsistent with an acceptable set of standards

Q- What, apart from an unforeseen circumstance, could cause an event to spin

out of control?
A-  A non-conformity

Q- Which of the following are incidents? (Select all applicable answers.)

A-  A fire in the main engine scavenge space
 An oil spill

Q- Why would an outbreak of fire in a main engine scavenge space be termed an

incident? (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  Because the fire would not have been controlled.
 Because the fire would not have occurred from developments whilst
operating the main engine.

Q- Why would an oil spill be termed an incident?

A-  Because the spillage would have been inconsistent with an acceptable set of
standards.

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Q- Which of these can be regarded as a report recommendation?
A-  Securing points should be routinely inspected against an appropriate
checklist.

Q- What is an accident? (Select all applicable answers.)

A-  An event that causes damage to cargo.
 An event that causes injury.

Q- What do you understand by, “Lagging and other debris were found strewn
around the main engine top plates?” (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  Lagging and other debris were found scattered around the main engine top
plates.
 Lagging and other debris were found lying around the main engine top
plates.
 Lagging and other debris were found all around the main engine top plates.

Q- Why is a ship that loses its bow termed an accident? (Select all applicable
answers.)
A-  Because it is an undesired event.
 Because it leads to disastrous consequences.
 Because it might occur during an operational phase of the ship.
 Because it might result from an incident.

Q- A ship has lost its bow. Why would it be necessary to state that upon
departure from the load port, there remained 200 tonnes of ballast in the fore
peak tank? (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  Due to the circumstances of the accident, it was a pertinent fact.

Q- In a ship damage report, why is it necessary to clarify that there were two
second mates on board? (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  Because this might need clarification by investigators in future.
 Because if not clarified, the reported actions of one second mate may be
confused with the actions of the other.
 Because if not clarified, someone reading the report might assume there
was only one second mate on board.

Q- What do you wish to convey by saying, “The vessel was extremely sluggish”?
A-  The vessel was extremely slow-moving.

Q- Why would it be necessary to report that despite a ballast pump taking suction
from a forepeak tank, the level of water in the tank remained constant? (Select
all applicable answers.)
A-  Because it would indicate that the forepeak might be open to the sea.
 Because it would indicate that there was a problem with the forepeak.

Q- Why would it be necessary to report upon a Master’s instructions to abandon

ship? (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  Because the instructions would be in accordance with safety procedures.
 Because this is important information that could be useful in any follow-up
investigations

Q- Why would it be necessary to report that a Master makes no mention to

authorities of (a) damage to a vessel such as loss of its bow or (b) oil pollution
incident? (Select all applicable answers.)
A-  To provide facts to the report audience.
 Because the information could be required in follow-up investigations.