NCCER Maritime flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

PFD requirement

A personal flotation device must be worn when working over or near water where a fall hazard exists. It is inspected before each use for tears, missing straps, and buoyancy loss.

Confined space atmospheric limits

Oxygen must read 19.5 to 23.5 percent. Flammable gas must stay below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit. Toxic gases are checked against the substance's exposure limit before entry is permitted.

Hot work fire watch

A fire watch monitors the work area during hot work and for at least 30 minutes afterward. Combustibles are cleared 35 feet away or shielded, and the watch has extinguishing equipment ready.

Fire classes

Class A is ordinary combustibles, B is flammable liquids, C is energized electrical equipment, and D is combustible metals. The class determines which extinguisher agent is safe and effective.

Sling working load limit

The WLL equals the sling's breaking strength divided by its design factor. Wire rope slings commonly use a 5:1 factor and chain slings 4:1, so never load beyond the tag rating.

Sling angle effect

When a two-leg sling has a 90-degree included angle, each leg carries about 0.707 of the total load. As the angle widens, tension per leg rises sharply, so keep angles within limits.

Snap-back zone

The area a parted or released line can whip through. Stand clear and to the side of the line's travel, never in the bight, and never inside a coil during handling.

Lockout/tagout

Isolate every energy source, apply a personal lock and tag, and verify zero energy before work. Only the person who applied a lock may remove it, preventing unexpected energization.

Draft and freeboard

Draft is the vertical distance from the waterline to the hull's lowest point. Freeboard is the distance from the waterline to the deck edge. Together they indicate loading and reserve buoyancy.

Bowline knot

A bowline forms a fixed loop that will not slip or tighten under load, yet unties easily after being loaded. It is used for rescue, mooring, and hoisting where a stable loop is needed.

Sheet bend

A sheet bend joins two ropes, especially when they differ in diameter. The larger rope forms the bight and the smaller rope is woven through, then both tails are secured.

Wire rope rejection criteria

Reject wire rope with broken wires exceeding the manufacturer's count in one lay, kinks, birdcaging, or corrosion reducing diameter by about 10 percent. Damaged rope is removed from service.

Nominal pipe size

NPS is a nominal designation, not the actual outside diameter. For NPS 12 and smaller, the outside diameter is larger than the nominal size, so always measure OD to identify pipe.

Welding positions

Flat is 1G or 1F, horizontal is 2G or 2F, vertical is 3G or 3F, and overhead is 4G or 4F. Vertical and overhead positions are the most difficult to pass in qualification tests.

Three-phase power formula

Three-phase power in watts equals the square root of three times volts times amps times power factor. Marine systems commonly run 120/208 V or 440/480 V three-phase service.

Dew point rule

For coating application, the surface temperature must be at least 5 degrees Fahrenheit above the dew point. Otherwise moisture condenses on the steel and the coating will not adhere properly.

3-4-5 layout method

Mark 3 units along one line and 4 along another, then adjust until the diagonal measures 5 units. This produces a true 90-degree angle for layout and framing.

Job hazard analysis

A JHA breaks a task into steps, identifies hazards at each step, and lists controls. It is completed before work starts and reviewed with the crew in a pre-task briefing.

Toolbox talk

A short five to fifteen minute briefing before the shift covering the day's tasks, hazards, and controls. Attendance is documented with signatures so the briefing can be verified later.

Deck load limit

Deck or pier capacity is rated in weight per area. Point load equals weight divided by contact area, so heavy concentrated loads may need spreader mats to stay within rating.

Critical lift plan

A written plan required for lifts near capacity, multiple cranes, or over occupied areas. It verifies load chart, radius, rigging, and personnel, and is approved before the lift begins.

Crane wind limit

Crane operation stops when wind exceeds the manufacturer's stated limit, often 20 to 25 mph for non-critical lifts. Lightning within about 10 miles halts work at height.

Daily report

A record of crew hours, equipment hours, weather, delays, and work completed. It supports progress tracking and becomes evidence for change orders and delay claims.

Hazardous waste manifest

A shipping document that tracks hazardous waste from the generator through transport to the disposal facility. It provides cradle-to-grave accountability and must be retained per regulation.

Master's authority

The master of a vessel holds ultimate authority and responsibility for the ship, crew, cargo, and safety. The chain of command runs from master through chief mate and department heads.

Situational leadership

Tell when ability and motivation are low, coach when ability is low but motivation is high, support when ability is high but motivation is low, and delegate when both are high.

5 Whys method

Ask why repeatedly, usually about five times, to trace an incident past the immediate cause to its system root. Each answer becomes the basis for the next question.

Fishbone diagram

A cause-and-effect diagram that organizes possible causes into categories such as people, equipment, method, material, measurement, and environment. Teams use it to find root causes of incidents.

Progressive discipline

A documented sequence of consequences: verbal warning, written warning, suspension, then termination. Each step is recorded and applied consistently with the written policy manual.

NCCER craft levels

Craft training progresses through levels tied to classroom hours and demonstrated competencies. Advancement requires both instruction and verified on-the-job performance, documented in the training record.

Closed-loop communication

The sender gives an instruction, the receiver repeats it back, and the sender confirms. This repeat-back method prevents errors on critical tasks such as rigging and line handling.

Craft career pathway

Typical progression is helper, apprentice, journeyman, lead or supervisor, superintendent, then project manager. Certifications such as OSHA 30 and first aid accelerate advancement.