Question 70 RVR04 - Master or Mate of LT 200 GRT

The Correct Answer is C **Explanation for Option C (Correct):** Severely damaged life jackets are compromised in their ability to perform their primary function: ensuring flotation and keeping the wearer safe. Damage such as rips, tears, or degraded materials can lead to loss of buoyancy (e.g., waterlogging the foam) or failure of straps/closures. Regulatory standards (such as SOLAS requirements in the maritime industry, or equivalent national safety standards) mandate that safety equipment which is clearly unfit for use due to severe damage must be removed from service and replaced immediately to maintain safety standards. Using damaged equipment puts lives at risk. **Explanation for Other Options (Incorrect):** * **A) They can be used for children.** This is incorrect. A severely damaged life jacket is unreliable regardless of the age or size of the user. Furthermore, children require appropriately sized and fully functional life jackets tailored to their weight. * **B) They must be tested for buoyancy before being continued in use.** This is insufficient and potentially dangerous. While testing might confirm temporary buoyancy, severe damage indicates structural failure or degradation that could worsen rapidly in real-world conditions. Safety protocols dictate that severely damaged Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) must be condemned and replaced, not simply tested and put back into service. * **D) They can be repaired by a reliable seamstress.** This is generally incorrect for safety-critical flotation devices. Life jackets are manufactured using specific, certified materials and construction techniques designed to resist tears, water damage, and ultraviolet light. Any repair must be performed according to manufacturer specifications using certified materials, often only by authorized service centers. Severe damage usually renders the PFD unrepairable in a way that guarantees its original safety rating; therefore, replacement is the mandatory action.