Exam questions with short answers
Questions asked in the MEO and ETO written and oral exams, each with a short answer. Members read the full answers, with the regulations behind them, on the Marine One forum.
MEO Class I 164 questions
- A ship is wrecked near the coast: what are the procedures?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- As a Chief Engineer, how will you improve the efficiency of a rudder?Oral
- As Chief Engineer, how do you receive the correct grade and quantity of bunkers, what do you do if there is a dispute, and which MARPOL Annex VI provisions apply?Written
- As chief engineer, what actions do you take if low insulation is detected in submersible cargo pumps?Oral
- As Chief Engineer, what do you coordinate with the master for dry-dock entry, how do you prepare and divide duties among the engineers, and what must be checked with the dock before undocking?Written
- As Chief Engineer, what do you do to reduce your ship's emissions?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- As Chief Engineer, what do you plan and check for a 35-day voyage?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- As per UNCLOS what are the sovereign rights and jurisdictions applicable to the coastal state and Flag state of the vessel in various maritime zones of the coastal state?Written
- Can an Indian port authority detain a ship under the Ballast Water Management Convention?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- Can your ship carry logs, and what precautions apply to a timber deck cargo?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Considering the ship as an organisation, how does a Chief Engineer achieve trouble-free machinery, optimum fuel use, minimum conflict and least intervention from shore authorities?Written
- Discuss the differences between Enhanced Survey Program and Condition Assessment Program Survey?Written
- Does a coastal vessel need an IOPP Certificate under MARPOL Annex I, and what applies instead?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Explain the requirements for the classification of a ship, including the role of classification societies in ensuring compliance with safety and construction standards?Written
- For the main engine, what certificates, documents and records do you maintain on board?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How can hull friction be reduced, and what is eddy-making resistance compared with eddy-current testing?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How did SOLAS Chapter XII address Bulk-Carrier losses in the early 1990s?Written
- How do hull condition, weather, fuel-oil system maintenance and propeller blade damage raise fuel consumption, and how can each be best controlled?Written
- How do socio-cultural differences generate inter-personnel conflicts and affect safety management on board?Written
- How do STCW and MLC 2006 align on seafarer medical certificates, and what validity periods apply?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How do you calculate the CO2 emissions of your ship as Chief Engineer?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How do you carry out an internal audit on board, covering the opening meeting, documentation and physical checks, and what does CDTR mean for documentation?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How do you carry out maintenance under the Safety Management System?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How do you fight a fire in undeclared IMDG cargo?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How do you renew an HSSC certificate?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How do you test a weathertight door?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How does a ship get the in-water survey option?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- How does the STCW Code address the human element, and what is the IMO guidance on fatigue mitigation and management?Written
- How is a distress call made at sea, what is sent, and what is the process?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How is Human Element addressed in STCW code?Written
- How is port State control organised regionally, where is it heading, and is it an effective tool for ship safety?Written
- How is propane carried and used as fuel, and which code governs it?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How long is an EIAPP Certificate valid, and what keeps it valid?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How will you prepare the vessel as Chief Engineer after sea trial for sailing?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- How would you report to the Engineer Superintendent, by e-mail, the inspections, findings and repair suggestions for a significant rise in fuel consumption after dry-docking?Written
- How would you train and motivate a junior engineer?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Hull damage — how do you report to company?Oral
- Lifeboat lost at port or sea — what are your actions as Chief Engineer?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- On a container ship, how do you know if a container placed onboard is not declared wrong and what IMO regulations apply?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Referring to MLC 2006, what are flag state and port state responsibilities?Written
- State the steps taken for a surface crack on a propeller blade found during dry dock inspection?Written
- The oily water separator fails just before port with a one-month wait for spares: what do you do as Chief Engineer?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- Under MLC 2006, what are the minimum requirements to work at sea, the conditions of employment, and how is the Convention enforced?Written
- Under the ISM Code, what are the master's responsibility and authority, the advantages of drills, internal audits and the management review?Written
- Under the LLMC, who pays claims within the limit and who pays beyond it?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What actions do you take as Chief Engineer in an oil spill?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What are clear grounds and a more detailed inspection in port State control?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are clear grounds and ISM-related deficiencies for a more detailed PSC inspection, and which sulphur-cap deficiencies can detain a ship?Written
- What are DMLC Part I and Part II, who writes them, and how are they certified?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What are gross tonnage (GT), net tonnage (NT) and deadweight (DWT), and how do they differ?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the cargo tank types of a gas carrier, and which secondary barrier does each need?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the Chief Engineer’s roles in onboard training per STCW Chapter III?Written
- What are the conditions of assignment, how do they keep a ship watertight, and why must they be inspected periodically?Written
- What are the contents of the NOx Technical File?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the Continuous Synopsis Record and the Common Structural Rules, and how do the two CSRs differ?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the D-2 performance standard limits for a BWMS?Written
- What are the discharge criteria for concentration in ppm?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the functional requirements of SOLAS Chapter II-2?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the IMDG Code cargo classes, and how is the segregation of dangerous goods determined?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the IMO measures for reducing emissions from ships?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the MARPOL Annex I discharge criteria for machinery-space bilges?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the MARPOL Annex II cargo discharge criteria?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the MARPOL discharge criteria for a Framo-pumped cargo, and how is a tank stripped step by step?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the MARPOL discharge criteria under Annex II and Annex IV?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the new amendments for enclosed lifeboats, and what do they change about on-load release hooks?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the objectives of the Casualty Investigation Code?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What are the objectives, strategy, instruments, KPIs and responsibilities under the III Code?Written
- What are the parts of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials, and what is the certificate called?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the principles of modern salvage law, and what are entitlement, adjustment and contestation in general average?Written
- What are the principles of modern salvage law, what is general average, and what do entitlement, artificial, adjustment and contestation mean?Written
- What are the ship types and their construction features as per the IBC Code?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the SSAS testing procedures, who receives the signal when activated, and how do they verify the ship is in danger?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the STCW and MLC hours of work and rest, does a 10-hour day with meal breaks comply, and how does STCW prevent fatigue?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the three main principles of LLMC 1976 and its linkage with other IMO liability conventions?Written
- What are the types of survey and what is CSM survey?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What are the types of surveys as class and flag state for machinery?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What are the UNCLOS highlights on protecting the marine environment, and what are the territorial sea, contiguous zone, EEZ, continental shelf and high seas?Written
- What can a Recognized Security Organization not do under the ISPS Code and SOLAS chapter XI-2?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What certificates are required for a chemical tanker and what are the contents of the Certificate of Fitness?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What checks do you make as Chief Engineer before undocking?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What do SOLAS chapters XI-1 and XI-2 contain?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What do the UNCLOS provisions say about a ship's flag and nationality, what are the duties of flag States, and how are those duties enforced?Written
- What do you do as Chief Engineer while loading an IMSBC cargo?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What documented procedures meet a dry-dock welding fire, which contingencies does ISM emergency preparedness cover, and how does the SOPEP help in a major oil spill?Written
- What documents and records do you prepare for an external ISM audit?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What does SOLAS chapter XII, additional safety measures for bulk carriers, contain?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What does SOLAS say about the flashpoint of fuel carried on board, and what is the exception?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What does the CLC apply to, what is the certificate threshold, and what are the tiers of compensation?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What does the IMO guidance on entering enclosed spaces require, and which SOLAS regulations back it?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What does the International Grain Code require, and what are its stability criteria?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What does the Wreck Convention require, and who pays for removing a hazardous wreck?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What does UNCLOS require of a flag State for registration and control of its ships, and how does India comply?Written
- What happens to the owner of a ship from a State that has not ratified the LLMC?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What if you propose to the owner to convert the ship to use alternate fuel?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is a close-up survey?Oral
- What is a MARPOL special area, what must you do in one, what is a PSSA, and does India have one?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is a risk assessment, and how is it applied to enclosed space entry?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is engine-room resource management, and how does a Chief Engineer put it to work?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is high-density cargo, and what are the damage stability criteria for a bulk carrier?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is maritime cyber security, and how do you implement and verify it as Chief Engineer?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is net tonnage, how is it calculated, does it have a unit, and do containers on deck count?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is salvage, what are its types, and what do LOF, Articles 13 and 14 and SCOPIC provide?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is STCW chapter VIII, and what are the ERM principles in the STCW Code?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is tacit acceptance, and what does it apply to?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is TEAP, and why is it required?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the background and relevance of the Bunkers Convention 2001, and how do pollution damage, bunker oil, time limits and exclusions differ from the CLC 1992?Written
- What is the BLU Code, and how does it keep a bulk carrier safe during loading and unloading?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the Bunkers Convention, and why was it needed when the CLC already existed?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the Casualty Investigation Code, and what are the preliminary inquiry and the marine safety investigation in India?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the CII concept under MARPOL Annex VI chapter 4 and its commercial impact?Written
- What is the CLC, and how does it differ from the Bunkers Convention?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the difference between a P/V valve and a P/V breaker?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the difference between an audit and a survey, and how does an RO handle ISM certificates for non-conformities, extensions, revisions and invalidation?Written
- What is the difference between dangerous goods and hazardous materials?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the difference between the company audit and the ship audit under the ISM Code?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the difference between the IGC Code and the IGF Code?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the difference between third-party and contractual liability, when may a shipowner limit liability, and who may limit and for which claims?Written
- What is the ECA area sulphur change-over record?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the flow table test, and how is bulk cargo liquefaction controlled?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the human element, why does IMO focus on it, and what does the HTW sub-committee do?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the IBC Code, what does chapter 17 and the tank requirements cover, and how does it differ from the BCH Code?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the IGF Code, and what does its structure cover?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What is the IGF Code, and what safety philosophy does it apply to gas-fuelled ships?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the III Code, and how does the IMO Member State Audit Scheme use it?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the III Code, and what does it audit?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What is the IMO GHG Strategy, and where does the GFI fit in it?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the IMSBC Code, and what are MHB materials?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the Inventory of Hazardous Materials, what are its three parts, and which materials does Part I list?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the ISM certification process after a takeover, and why do the interim DOC and interim SMC have different validity?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What is the latest amendment to the inert gas system requirement, and what does the revised FSS Code chapter 15 require?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the minimum safe manning for your ship, where is it required, and what does the Safe Manning Document contain?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention, and how does India implement it?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the NOx Technical File, and why must the engine's components match it?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the procedure under the Hong Kong Convention after a ship reaches the recycling yard?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the purpose of the Casualty Investigation Code?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What is the RO Code, and what are the requirements of a recognized organization?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the RO Code, and what does it require of recognized organizations and flag States?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the role of the SMS in implementing the ISM Code, why does continuous improvement matter, and how has the Code evolved?Written
- What is the structure of MLC 2006, and what does Title 2, conditions of employment, cover?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- What is the structure of the MLC with its Titles, and how do DMLC Parts I and II cover welfare measures?Written
- What is the survey and certification process under the Hong Kong Convention?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What is the validity of the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (PSSC)?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What load line surveys are required, what does the International Load Line Certificate contain, and how long is it valid?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What steels are used in shipbuilding, and what is the carbon content of each type?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What steps should be initiated and who should initiate them for an abandoned Indian-flag ship grounded off India?Written
- What technological advancements in propellers improve propulsion, and what does each one target?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- What working environment criteria does MLC 2006 set for health, safety and accident prevention?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Where are the port State's duties and powers of control written, and in which regulations?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- Which certificate authorises a ship to carry dangerous cargo?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Which codes apply exclusively to bulk carriers, and what does each one do?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Which documents must a general cargo ship carry when it deals with dangerous cargo?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Which instruments apply exclusively to bulk carriers?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Which ISPS documents can a Recognized Security Organization issue or approve, and what can it not do?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Which ISPS security level do you follow in the Persian Gulf, and who sets it?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Which SOLAS and MARPOL regulations make casualty investigation mandatory for the flag State, what are the salient points of the Casualty Investigation Code, and what is a very serious marine casualty?Written
- Who decides the special survey?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- Who is the custodian of a wreck in India, and what powers does the Receiver of Wreck have?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Why does record keeping on board matter for proper filing, for follow-up and verification, and for accident or incident investigation, and what situation on board shows this?Written
- Why does the bunker specification matter, how do you draw a representative sample, and how do you keep it acceptable in a dispute?Written
- Why does the ICIHM carry the word International, and how long are most statutory certificates valid?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Why is a safety net needed under a gangway or accommodation ladder?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- Why is DMLC Part I needed, and what does it contain?Oral · asked at MMD Chennai
- Why was the electronically controlled engine introduced, and what are its commercial aspects?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
- With only a Second and Third Engineer on board and the Third Engineer refusing to come to the engine room, what do you do as Chief Engineer?Oral · asked at MMD Kochi
MEO Class II 12 questions
- How do you carry out chain case inspection as Second Engineer?Oral
- What are the types of boiler used on ships?Oral
- What are the types of main engine?Oral
- What are the types of marine engine?Oral
- What is a crane load test?Oral · asked at MMD Noida
- What is boiler accumulation pressure test?Oral
- What is fatigue failure?Oral · asked at MMD Noida
- What is tail shaft monitoring?Oral · asked at MMD Noida
- What is the definition of vibration?Oral · asked at MMD Noida
- What is the difference between a safety valve and a relief valve?Oral · asked at MMD Noida
- What is the Iron Carbide diagram?Oral
- What is the working of a nitrogen generator?Oral · asked at MMD Noida
MEO Class IV 16 questions
- Describe safety precautions with gas cutting and welding equipment for storage, transport and operation?Written
- Describe the effects of using shore fresh water as auxiliary boiler feedwater, the measures to reduce these effects, and the purpose and method of deaeration in the boiler feed water system?Written
- Describe the maintenance required on an auxiliary boiler burner and the safety features provided on its fuel burning system?Written
- For a ship, when are the center of buoyancy and the metacenter in the line of action of the buoyant force?Written
- How do you sketch a watertight door and frame, show its attachment and bulkhead reinforcement, explain the hydrostatic sealing, and describe the remote closing stations?Written
- Sketch a line diagram of a typical inert gas system for oil tanker cargo tanks, label the parts, describe the system, and state the expected oxygen content in flue gases with good combustion?Written
- State with reasons the essential requirements for periodically unattended machinery spaces and discuss protection against flooding and bridge control for a dry cargo vessel?Written
- What are IMO’s short-term measures for controlling ship GHG emissions, how do they take effect and to which ships do they apply, what documents must be carried, and what is SEEMP Part III with its conWritten
- What are the SOLAS requirements for an emergency source of electrical power in cargo ships, the services it must supply, and the starting arrangements for emergency generating sets?Written
- What are the sulphur limits, non-availability actions, BDN mismatch handling and in-use sampling point timelines under MARPOL?Written
- What is ozone depletion, its effects, the gases with ozone depleting potential, ODP classification, and the controls and recordkeeping for such gases?Written
- Which statement about metacentric height is true: (a) indicates initial stability, (b) below centre of buoyancy, (c) measured above centre of buoyancy, (d) objective of inclining experiment?Written
- With reference to emergency electrical power in cargo ships, describe the source, list essential services, and explain testing?Written
- With reference to hull protection against corrosion, describe how sacrificial anodes and impressed current systems each operate?Written
- With respect to centrifuges, explain the reasons for purifier overflow, the causes of vibration, and the desludging process, and why purifier amperage is important for the operator?Written
- Work is being carried out in drydock on a large sea water inlet chest and the valves: describe the inspection you would carry out as the work starts, and during and after the work?Written
ETO 8 questions
- Briefly discuss BNWAS, LRIT and VDR/S-VDR with respect to safety of navigation?Written
- Describe a typical emergency power source for cargo ships, list essential services supplied simultaneously, and explain periodic testing?Written
- Describe CO₂ fixed firefighting system for machinery and cargo spaces of a bulk carrier and explain safety precautions before releasing CO₂ to the engine room?Written
- Sketch a diesel-electric propulsion layout and explain its advantages?Written
- With reference to entry into enclosed spaces onboard, define “Enclosed space”, give examples, describe atmosphere testing and explain safety precautions?Written
- With reference to entry into enclosed spaces onboard, define “Enclosed space”, give examples, describe atmosphere testing checks and explain safety precautions prior to entry?Written
- With reference to shore electrical supply to a ship, how do you sketch the shore power arrangement and carry out checks prior to connection, and safely connect it?Written
- With respect to the hazardous areas of tankers, explain flameproof (Ex d), state the equipment so protected, and list likely defects?Written