ProcessReported inspection question
QUESTION 5.8.1
Main-deck and mooring-area safety inspections
Oil, Chemical, LPG, LNGMain Deck, Mooring Decks
What is being checked
The inspector is checking whether planned safety inspections of main deck and mooring areas are performed by competent personnel, identify actual hazards and produce timely corrective action.
Ready onboard
0/6 completePractice questions
Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.
1What are the highest risks in main deck and mooring areas?
Identify current vessel-specific hazards, including corrosion, leakage, damaged guards, trip hazards, unsafe leads, poor line condition, defective brakes and obstructed escape.
2Show one finding from the last inspection.
Take the inspector to the location and trace immediate control, permanent action and verification.
3How are overdue findings escalated?
Apply the SMS priority and notification path, reassess risk and maintain compensating controls.
4How do you prevent checklist familiarity from hiding defects?
Rotate competent participants, vary the route, compare trends and require exact evidence rather than repeated tick marks.
5What recurring weakness has been identified?
Use deck inspection reports, mooring-line records, PMS and defect register to show trend analysis and the preventive response.
Where an observation may arise
GENERIC CHECKLIST
The checklist omitted significant hazards such as deck structure, access, lighting, drainage, cargo piping, vents, cranes, mooring equipment, lines, snap-back exposure and emergency routes.
PAPER INSPECTION
Records were completed without credible physical access or contained repeated identical entries.
VISIBLE DEFECT MISSED
The recorded inspection did not identify corrosion, leakage, damaged guards, trip hazards, unsafe leads, poor line condition, defective brakes and obstructed escape.
VAGUE FINDING
A deficiency lacked exact location, risk, immediate control or required action.
FALSE CLOSURE
An item was marked closed although the condition remained or only a temporary repair existed.
NO TREND
Repeated findings in deck inspection reports, mooring-line records, PMS and defect register were not recognised or escalated.
Past observations for practice
Hardware
The aft anchor light fitted at "A" deck, 1 mtr aft of the aft bulkhead of the machinery space at a height of approx. 2.5 mtrs above the deck was not an all round light as due to its proximity to the bulkhead of the machinery space had a blind sector of more than 100 degrees.
Hardware
The wrapping drun of all the mooring winches were fully coated with deck paint contrary to the requirement of code of Safe Working Practices.
Human
The OP had not followed the operator's procedure requiring the drum to be free of paint.
Hardware
Several nuts and bolts were missing from the ballast tank hatch (6S).
Hardware
Hydraulic leak sighted near remotely operated valve on the deck.
Human
Operator's monthly safety inspection for main deck required "Non Skid Coating" to be provided on the working areas. Although the monthly checklist was marked as yes by the OP, the cargo tanks sampling and dipping location on main deck were not marked with non-slip surfaces.
Hardware
One goose neck vent for the wheelhouse at monkey island was not clearly marked to be identified the spaces they served.
Hardware
Port forward mooring winch hydraulic lever block had minor hydraulic leaks.
Human
The OP was designated as the safety officer as per the company procedures was required to carry out safety inspections of the entire ship. The OP was however unaware of the checklists used. This was later produced after consulting the attending shore officer.
Process
The safety inspection checklist was not ship specific. Item 17 referred to air locks and alarms while air locks were not fitted.
Human
OP had checked the items on the checklists not applicable to the vessel.
Human
It was observed that the aft ETA drum securing device had not installed the weak link required to break in case of an emergency. The OP did not include the defective condition in the last safety inspection on deck and Mooring areas.
Human
OP was unaware of the hazard for mooring station and near cargo manifold. He was came out crossing under cargo loading arm to approach the gangway.
Human
Mushroom vent on top of the Battery room was found shut due to an incorrect Damper checklist. No written instruction at the location of the vent indicating the vent is to be open at all times and shut in case of fire.
Human
No Fixed lighting Stand was fitted on the guard rails of 6 persons' life raft embarkation stations on both port and Starboard sides.
Human
The radiation zone was observed not marked on monkey island for 30 meters distance. The marking was in place for 2 meters, however the requirements was 30 meters. The OP failed to notice during the safety inspection rounds. The poster from the supplier was seen on the antenna Dome.
Human
The flame path of all deck lights on navigational wings were painted over.
Human
The retroreflective tape on VDR was worn out It was rectified during the course of the inspection.
Master's practical note
Walk the latest inspection route with the report. If obvious defects are absent from the record, question the inspection method before adding more checklist items.
Questions reported during inspections
Anonymised user reports, not official OCIMF questions or a prediction of what an inspector will ask.
Equipment boundary and references
Equipment boundary: Safety inspections supplement, but do not replace, routine rounds, planned maintenance, statutory surveys or immediate hazard reporting.
References
- OCIMF SIRE 2.0 Question Library Part 1, Version 1.0, Question 5.8.1
- OCIMF Mooring Equipment Guidelines, Fourth Edition
- OCIMF ISGOTT
Last reviewed: 2026-09-13