Question 58 ONC04 - Mate of LT 500-1600 GRT

The Correct Answer is A. **Why Option A ("Shut down operations") is correct:** The immediate priority upon detecting oil pollution during cargo transfer operations is to stop the source of the potential or actual leak. Shutting down all cargo operations (pumps, valves, etc.) minimizes the amount of oil that can escape into the water, thereby limiting the environmental damage and containing the spill. This aligns with standard maritime safety and pollution prevention procedures, where containment and mitigation of further damage must take precedence over investigation or reporting in the initial seconds of detection. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **B) Have the pumpman check the discharge piping:** While investigation is necessary, it is the second action. If oil is already detected, the first step must be to stop the flow of product to prevent the spill from getting worse. Checking the piping while continuing to pump oil only exacerbates the pollution. * **C) Try to find out where the oil is coming from:** This is an investigatory step that should occur immediately after operations have been secured (shut down). Continuing to operate while trying to locate the source allows more oil to leak and increases the size of the spill. * **D) Call the Master:** Reporting is critical, but it is not the *first* action. The crew member who detects the spill must immediately take steps to secure the operation (shutting down valves and pumps) to prevent further discharge before notifying the command structure (Master) and initiating official reporting and response procedures.