Question 1214 Deck General

The correct answer is A) spread an absorbent material, such as sawdust. After an oil spill occurs on deck, the first step is to stop the source of the spill by shutting down the transfer. Next, absorbent material should be spread on the spill to contain and clean up the oil. Informing the engine room and removing the plugs from the scuppers come after the initial cleanup efforts. Sounding the general alarm or rigging a fire hose are not the appropriate first steps in this situation. The reasoning behind this is that the priority after an oil spill is to quickly contain and clean up the spill, rather than taking actions that could spread or further the spill. Spreading absorbent material is the recommended first response to an oil spill on deck.