MF-002 · Free microlearning

Marine Emergency Readiness

General emergency-awareness learning for people working on or around New Zealand commercial maritime and fishing vessels.

What you will learn

  • why you must know your vessel's alarms, muster arrangements and emergency role
  • the difference between awareness learning and practical emergency competence
  • how person-overboard, fire and abandonment responses depend on vessel-specific procedures
  • why distress communications and emergency equipment need practical familiarity
  • why drills matter before an emergency happens.
Awareness, not emergency certification: MF-002 does not qualify you to command or carry out an emergency response. Practical drills, approved training, certification and vessel-specific instruction may be required.
Lesson 2

Where this learning fits

Maritime Rules Part 23 applies to New Zealand commercial ships and fishing ships and sets operational and training requirements designed to manage emergencies and prevent them where possible.

  • Part 23 includes requirements relating to muster arrangements, emergency alarms and drills, onboard training and emergency instructions where applicable.
  • Your vessel's SOP, MTOP/MOSS arrangements or other applicable safety system should address the procedures, equipment and training relevant to the operation.
  • Other Maritime Rules can apply depending on vessel type, size, operating limits, equipment and crew.
  • Follow the skipper/master, operator and vessel-specific emergency procedures.

NZQC does not determine the rules, certificates or emergency-equipment requirements for a particular vessel. Confirm these with the operator and Maritime New Zealand.

Lesson 3

Know the alarm, muster point and your role

An emergency is the wrong time to discover what an alarm means or where you are expected to go.

Before sailing or starting work, know:

  • the emergency alarms/signals used on your vessel
  • where to muster and how to get there safely
  • your assigned emergency duties, if any
  • where relevant life-saving and fire-safety equipment is located
  • who is in command and how instructions will be given
  • the vessel-specific procedure for raising an alarm.
Do not assume alarms are identical across vessels. Learn the actual signals and arrangements for the vessel you are on.
Lesson 4

Different emergencies need different actions

Person overboard

Raise the alarm immediately and follow the vessel's person-overboard procedure and command instructions. Recovery methods and assigned roles must be learned and practised on the vessel.

Fire or smoke

Raise the alarm promptly. Follow the vessel's fire response, muster and command arrangements. Do not attempt firefighting beyond your training, assigned role or safe capability.

Abandonment

Abandoning a vessel is a serious command decision. Follow the master/skipper's instructions, muster arrangements and the vessel's procedures for survival craft and personal survival equipment.

Do not improvise from an online course. Vessel layout, equipment, hazards and emergency arrangements differ.
Lesson 5

Know how your vessel calls for help

Maritime NZ says that in immediate danger, the first priority is to alert others. Commercial vessels may carry radio and distress equipment according to the requirements applying to that vessel.

  • Know where the vessel's radio and relevant distress equipment are located.
  • Know who is authorised/expected to make distress communications and what your role is.
  • Know how the vessel identifies itself and how its position can be communicated.
  • Know the emergency beacons carried and your vessel's procedure for their use.
  • If your role requires radio use, receive the practical training and certification required for that role.

Maritime NZ publishes current guidance for MAYDAY calls and emergency beacons. MF-002 deliberately does not substitute a generic script for your practical radio training and vessel procedures.

Lesson 6

Drills turn written procedures into practiced actions

Emergency readiness requires more than reading a procedure. Maritime rules and vessel safety systems may require drills, onboard instruction and records according to the vessel and operation.

Use drills to practise:

  • recognising alarms and reporting to the correct muster location
  • understanding assigned roles and command arrangements
  • person-overboard response and recovery actions
  • fire and other emergency response arrangements
  • location and correct use of relevant life-saving equipment
  • safe abandonment and survival actions where applicable.
Practical competence must be demonstrated practically. A correct answer in MF-002 is not evidence that a learner can safely use emergency equipment or perform a recovery.
Lesson 7

Stop · Think · Act

Scenario: You are new to a vessel. Before departure you realise you do not know what its emergency alarm sounds like, where to muster, or what you are expected to do in a fire.

What is the best response?

Lesson 8

Knowledge check

Answer all four correctly to complete this awareness module.

1. What should you know before an emergency occurs?

2. What should you do when you discover smoke or fire?

3. Why are emergency drills important?

4. What does completing MF-002 demonstrate?