Question 255Safety & Environmental - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is A) Sound all fuel oil tanks and inspect the engine room bilges and void spaces. This is the correct answer because when a vessel runs aground, the first priority is to assess any potential damage to the hull and onboard systems. Sounding the fuel oil tanks and inspecting the engine room bilges and void spaces allows the chief engineer to check for any leaks or damage that could lead to an environmental spill or other safety issues. The other options are incorrect because: B) Switching the salt water cooling suction to the low sea suction does not address the immediate need to inspect for damage, C) Waiting until the vessel docks to sound the fuel oil tanks delays the critical assessment of the situation, and D) Calling the port engineer is an unnecessary step before the chief engineer has assessed the situation.