Question 5 LB01 - Lifeboat Operator

The Correct Answer is C **Explanation for C being correct:** Option C, "Verification that the unit has been maintained by a shore based maintenance provider," refers to the requirement for mandated annual testing (or thorough inspection) of the EPIRB. Under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, the annual test of the EPIRB (often done by a qualified technician or during the annual GMDSS survey) must ensure the unit's proper function and maintenance. This verification typically involves checking the 406 MHz frequency transmission output, GPS function (if applicable), battery health, and confirmation that maintenance logs are up to date, ensuring the unit is serviced according to manufacturer and regulatory standards—services typically performed or overseen by certified shore-based maintenance providers. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:** * **A) Verification that the unit lanyard is neatly stowed and properly secured to the vessel:** While good practice and usually noted during an inspection, the primary SOLAS annual test requirement focuses on the *operational readiness* and *electronic functionality* of the EPIRB, not merely the physical tidiness of the lanyard. Furthermore, the lanyard should generally *not* be secured to the vessel, as the EPIRB must float free (if designed to) or be easily deployable in an emergency. * **B) Verification that the battery voltage is within 20% of the design limits:** This criterion is insufficient. SOLAS and manufacturer requirements mandate that the battery must be verified to have *sufficient capacity* to operate for the required 48 hours (after activation), and the battery replacement date must be verified. Simply being within $20\%$ of the nominal voltage does not guarantee the required runtime capacity, which is the critical element of the annual check. * **D) Verification that the unit is stowed within five feet of survival craft:** SOLAS regulations dictate that the EPIRB must be readily accessible and capable of being quickly deployed or located near a survival craft, but there is no specific, universal SOLAS requirement mandating the *exact distance* of "within five feet." Stowage requirements are based on ensuring accessibility and deployment in emergencies (often near the bridge or free-floating position), not a precise distance measurement to all survival craft.