When landing a lifeboat through heavy surf with a... - USCG Deck Safety

When landing a lifeboat through heavy surf with a strong current running parallel to the beach (from right to left when facing from seaward) the recommended procedure is to _______________.

A rig a drogue with tripping line over the bow, back ashore with drogue tripped between breakers

B approach slow enough so that the boat can be brought around to meet breaking seas on the bow

C drop an anchor outside the surf line, then pay out anchor line over the bow while the seas carry the boat toward the beach

D approach while coming to the left to take advantage of the current

AI Explanation

The correct answer is A) rig a drogue with tripping line over the bow, back ashore with drogue tripped between breakers. This is the recommended procedure because a drogue helps control the boat's speed and direction when landing through heavy surf, allowing the boat to be brought in at a slower, more controlled pace. The tripping line allows the drogue to be released once the boat reaches the beach, so it doesn't get dragged back out. This method allows the boat to approach the beach at a safe speed while taking advantage of the parallel current to help guide the boat towards the shore. The other options are less effective in these conditions. Approaching slowly (B) doesn't provide enough control, dropping an anchor (C) could be risky in the surf, and coming in from the left (D) doesn't properly account for the current direction.

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Question 1364 Deck Safety

When landing a lifeboat through heavy surf with a strong current running parallel to the beach (from right to left when facing from seaward) the recommended procedure is to _______________.

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