Question 19 TK02 - Tank Vessel Assistant - Liquefied Gas

The Correct Answer is A. **Explanation for A (refer to the vessel's Certificate of Inspection):** The vessel's **Certificate of Inspection (COI)** is the official, legally binding document issued by the regulatory body (such as the US Coast Guard) that specifies the operating limitations and parameters of the vessel. This certificate explicitly details which specific types or **grades of cargo** (e.g., Grade A, B, C, D, E flammable liquids) the tank vessel is constructed and equipped to safely transport, based on the vessel's classification, design, and installed safety systems (such as inert gas systems, ventilation, and tank integrity). Therefore, the COI is the definitive source for determining legal cargo carriage permissions. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **B) check the loading order:** The loading order indicates *what* cargo is scheduled to be loaded, but it does not determine the vessel's *legal permission* or *capability* to carry that cargo. The loading order must comply with the COI, not define it. * **C) examine the cargo tanks and fittings:** While the physical condition of the tanks and fittings is critical for safe loading, merely examining them cannot confirm the vessel's regulatory certification or its officially permitted cargo grades. * **D) ask the terminal supervisor or his representative:** The terminal supervisor relies on the documentation provided by the vessel, primarily the COI, to ensure regulatory compliance. Asking the supervisor is secondary; the definitive source of authority remains the vessel's official documentation.