Question 1204 Deck Safety

The correct answer is C) ensure that the operating cord is secured to the vessel. The most important thing to remember when launching an inflatable liferaft by hand is to ensure that the operating cord is secured to the vessel. This is crucial because the operating cord is used to pull the raft away from the vessel as it inflates, preventing it from getting tangled or damaged. If the cord is not secured, the raft could drift away from the vessel, making it difficult to board and potentially causing the raft to be lost. The other options are incorrect because: A) opening the CO2 inflation valve is not the first step in launching the raft, B) inflating the raft on the vessel and then lowering it over the side is not recommended, as it can be difficult to control the raft during the inflation process, and D) opening the raft container is a necessary step, but not the most important one.