Question 14 QMED05 - Machinist-Pump Technician

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for Option A (using a soft wooden plug):** In an emergency situation involving a small hole (up to approximately three inches) below the waterline, a soft wooden plug (often referred to as a "wood plug" or "softwood plug") is the standard and fastest temporary measure used for immediate damage control. The plug is hammered into the hole. As the wood absorbs water, it swells, creating a tight and effective seal against the hull, which stops or significantly reduces the ingress of water, allowing time for more permanent repairs. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **B) rigging a collision mat:** A collision mat is designed for much larger breaches (like those resulting from a collision) and requires significant time and effort to deploy and secure over the hull from the outside. It is overkill, impractical, and too slow for a small, three-inch hole that can be addressed internally. * **C) stuffing a mattress in the hole:** While mattresses or soft bedding might be used as a last resort to slow water flow in a large, irregular hole that cannot be plugged, they lack the rigidity and sealing capability of a wooden plug and are ineffective for creating a reliable temporary seal in a small, defined opening. * **D) welding over a plate patch:** Welding is a permanent or semi-permanent repair that requires specialized equipment, dry conditions (which are not present inside a hull leak), and significant time. It is not a method for quick, temporary sealing in a critical emergency situation where water ingress must be stopped immediately.