Question 102Safety & Environmental - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is A) Only when there is a chance of them being seen by rescue vessels. This is the correct answer because distress flares and rockets should only be used when they have a reasonable chance of being seen by rescue vessels. Setting them off indiscriminately, such as at set time intervals, would be wasteful and could reduce the effectiveness of the signal when it is truly needed. Flares and rockets should be reserved for when the vessel or survivors are in immediate distress and there is a good chance they will be observed. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not represent the appropriate time to use distress signals. Setting them off at set intervals or immediately upon abandoning the vessel may not coincide with when rescue vessels are most likely to see them, reducing their effectiveness.