Question 1384 Deck Safety

The correct answer is A) Steering oar. If the rudder on an open lifeboat becomes lost or damaged, a steering oar should be used to steer the boat. Steering oars are a standard piece of equipment on open lifeboats and are designed to provide directional control when the primary steering mechanism (the rudder) is not available. This is in accordance with the requirements set forth by the U.S. Coast Guard for the design and operation of open lifeboats. The other options are incorrect because a daggerboard (B) is used for sailing, a sea anchor (C) is used to keep the boat's head to the wind, and a spare rudder (D) would not be available if the original rudder is lost or damaged.