What is one of the primary roles of a boundaryman at the scene of a casualty?

A primary role of a boundaryman at the scene of a casualty is to cool bulkheads. This is crucial in a damage control scenario where fire or heat could compromise the structural integrity of the vessel. The boundaryman is responsible for ensuring that compartments are protected by applying water to bulkheads that may be subjected to excessive heat, which could lead to the ship's structure failing or allowing fire to spread.

Cooling the bulkheads helps to contain the fire and prevents it from spreading to adjacent areas, thereby maintaining the integrity of the vessel's divisions. This action is a vital part of fire containment and damage control tactics, emphasizing the boundaryman's critical role in managing heat and fire risks during an emergency situation.

While monitoring communications, conducting investigations, and performing first aid are essential roles in emergency response, they do not directly address the immediate threat posed by fire or excessive heat, which makes cooling bulkheads a specific and primary duty of the boundaryman in the context of damage control operations.