USCG Exam PracticeFirefighting, damage control, and emergency response
A vessel's bilges begin taking on water after a collision. The damage control team has been unable to stop the flooding and the vessel is developing a dangerous list. According to the Boatswain Manual, what action is indicated at this point?
- A. Continue dewatering with all available pumps while maneuvering to a shoal area to ground the vessel.
- B. Transfer ballast to the high side to correct the list before attempting further damage control.
- ✓ Abandon ship, as priorities 1 and 2 have failed.Correct
- D. Activate the fixed fire suppression system to reduce the risk of a secondary casualty.
Why C is correct
USCG Boatswain Manual Ch. 5 §5.1 states that if priorities 1 (stop the flooding) and 2 (maintain stability) fail, the crew must abandon ship. Continuing dewatering, ballast transfer, or activating fire suppression are not the prescribed response once both primary damage control priorities have been exhausted.