Question 36 LB01 - Lifeboat Operator

The Correct Answer is C ### Explanation of Correct Option (C) **C) Pulling on the painter line** The painter line is the primary means of initiating inflation for a manually deployed liferaft. When the raft and container are thrown into the water, the painter line must be secured to the ship. Once the raft is fully deployed and clear of the vessel, a sharp, strong pull on the painter line breaks the seal or pulls the firing pin on the CO2 inflation cylinder, rapidly inflating the raft. ### Explanation of Incorrect Options **A) Hitting the hydrostatic release** The hydrostatic release unit (HRU) is designed for *automatic* deployment and inflation only if the vessel sinks (typically 2–4 meters underwater). Since the raft has been manually thrown, the HRU is bypassed and has no function in the inflation process. **B) Using the hand pump provided** The hand pump is used to top up the air pressure in the buoyancy tubes or floors after the initial CO2 inflation, or to compensate for slow leaks. It cannot generate the volume or speed required to initially inflate the main structure of the liferaft. **D) Forcing open the container which operates the CO2** The inflation process is triggered internally by the firing pin connected to the painter line. The container (or valise) is designed to burst open or separate easily once the CO2 begins rapidly expanding the buoyancy chambers; the act of forcing it open does not fire the CO2 cylinder.