Question 178Safety & Environmental - QMED

The correct answer is D) 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 there is a reasonable chance of them being spotted by rescue vessels. Distress signals are intended to alert potential rescuers to your location, so they should only be used when there is a realistic opportunity for them to be seen and responded to. Activating distress signals indiscriminately or at regular intervals, regardless of rescue conditions, would be an ineffective use of these limited resources. The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) Abandoning the vessel does not necessarily mean rescue is imminent, so distress signals should be used judiciously. B) and C) Signaling at fixed time intervals is not an appropriate trigger for using limited distress flares and rockets.