Question 67 OSV02 - Mate - Offshore Supply Vessels

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for A (Certificate of Inspection):** The Certificate of Inspection (COI) is the primary regulatory document issued by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for inspected vessels. It legally defines the vessel's minimum operating requirements, including its authorized service route, the maximum number of passengers, and critically, the **minimum safe manning level**. The minimum safe manning level specifies the number and rating of required crew members (such as licensed officers, deckhands, and able seamen) necessary to safely operate the vessel. Therefore, to determine the number of able seamen required, you must check the vessel's current Certificate of Inspection. **Explanation for Incorrect Options:** **B) Safety of Life at Sea Certificate (SOLAS Certificate):** The SOLAS Convention primarily covers broader aspects of maritime safety, including construction, fire protection, and lifesaving appliances. While essential for international voyages, the SOLAS Certificate itself does not detail the specific minimum domestic manning requirements (like the number of required able seamen) for a particular vessel; that information is detailed in the domestic USCG-issued Certificate of Inspection. **C) Operations manual:** An operations manual provides instructions for the routine and emergency operation of the vessel's equipment and systems. While it may list the vessel's standard operating crew complement, the *legally required minimum* manning (the number the Coast Guard enforces) is stipulated on the COI, not the voluntary operations manual. **D) Load Line Certificate:** The Load Line Certificate certifies the maximum legal draft (submersion level) to which a vessel can be safely loaded in various conditions and zones. It deals strictly with stability and cargo capacity and has no direct bearing on the required number of able seamen or the vessel's minimum manning requirements.