Question 1 LB01 - Lifeboat Operator

The Correct Answer is C **Explanation of Correct Option (C):** Option C ("Take no action because the painter will cause the liferaft to inflate and open the container.") is correct because it describes the standard, automatic deployment process of a properly functioning inflatable liferaft, especially one released by a hydrostatic mechanism. The painter line (a strong rope attached to the liferaft and secured to the sinking ship) is crucial for deployment: 1. As the ship sinks, the attached end of the painter line becomes taut. 2. The pull on the painter line triggers the inflation mechanism (usually a CO2 cylinder) inside the container. 3. The pressure from the inflation process, combined with the tugging on the line, forces the container open, allowing the fully inflated liferaft to enter the water. If the liferaft has bobbed to the surface via a hydrostatic release, the next step is to let the tension from the sinking vessel on the painter line complete the inflation and launching process. **Explanation of Incorrect Options:** * **A) Cut the painter line so it will not pull the liferaft container down.** Cutting the painter line prevents the liferaft from deploying. The painter line is necessary to initiate inflation and to hold the liferaft alongside the vessel for boarding once deployed. If cut, the container will simply float away without inflating. * **B) Swim away from the container so you will not be in danger as it goes down.** While it is always wise to be clear of a sinking vessel, the container that has bobbed to the surface via hydrostatic release is not going to sink further. Swimming away would put distance between you and your means of survival, and you would not be able to monitor or assist with the deployment. * **D) Manually open the container and inflate the liferaft with the hand pump.** Modern liferafts inflate automatically and very rapidly upon tensioning the painter line (usually in 10-30 seconds). Manually opening the container is usually very difficult or impossible underwater, and using a hand pump for full inflation is meant only for topping up air or repairing a slow leak, not for initial rapid deployment.