Lifesaving and Survival Craft Flashcards

What is the required service interval for an inflatable liferaft under SOLAS?

Answer: Every 12 months

Inflatable liferafts must be serviced at an approved service station every 12 months (or as otherwise specified).

What is the primary purpose of a tripping line attached to a sea anchor on a liferaft?

Answer: To collapse the sea anchor for retrieval

Pulling the tripping line collapses the sea anchor, allowing it to be retrieved without hauling against full water resistance.

Under US regulations, how frequently must lifeboat/rescue boat drills be conducted on cargo vessels?

Answer: Once per week

SOLAS requires crew to participate in at least one abandon ship and fire drill every week on cargo vessels.

What factor most significantly affects the time to loss of consciousness from hypothermia in water?

Answer: Water temperature

Water temperature is the most critical factor; cold water rapidly conducts heat away from the body, causing hypothermia much faster than cold air.

When a liferaft is boarded after abandoning ship, what should be the first action?

Answer: Cut the painter line if the vessel is sinking

The painter must be cut once all survivors are aboard if the sinking vessel could pull the raft under.

What information is encoded in a 406 MHz EPIRB signal that helps SAR authorities identify the vessel?

Answer: Vessel's MMSI or unique identification code

The 406 MHz signal encodes the vessel's unique identification (MMSI or hexadecimal ID), allowing SAR authorities to access registration information.

What is the correct procedure if a liferaft capsizes in rough seas?

Answer: Use the righting straps on the bottom of the raft to right it

Righting straps are located on the underside of inflatable liferafts; a person stands on the CO2 cylinder and pulls them to flip the raft upright.