AB Lifesaving and Survival Craft 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum number of immersion suits required to be carried on a cargo vessel in US waters?
- One for every officer only
- One for every person on board (Correct answer)
- One for every two persons on board
- Only for vessels operating in Arctic waters
Correct answer: One for every person on board
SOLAS requires one immersion suit for every person on board cargo vessels operating in cold water regions.
Question 2: During a man overboard drill, which side of the vessel should the rescue boat be launched from?
- Always the port side
- Always the starboard side
- The leeward side (Correct answer)
- The windward side
Correct answer: The leeward side
The rescue boat is launched from the leeward side to provide a lee for the rescue operation and reduce risk to the boat.
Question 3: What color smoke is produced by a distress signal pyrotechnic used during daytime?
- Red
- Green
- Orange (Correct answer)
- White
Correct answer: Orange
Daytime distress smoke signals produce orange smoke, which is highly visible against sea and sky.
Question 4: An EPIRB operating on 406 MHz transmits distress signals to which satellite system?
- GPS
- GEOSAR/LEOSAR (COSPAS-SARSAT) (Correct answer)
- INMARSAT
- NAVTEX
Correct answer: GEOSAR/LEOSAR (COSPAS-SARSAT)
406 MHz EPIRBs transmit to the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite network, which includes both geostationary and polar-orbiting satellites.
Question 5: How should a lifeboat engine be tested during a weekly inspection?
- Run it for 30 minutes at full throttle
- Run it for at least 3 minutes (Correct answer)
- Just verify it starts and idle for 30 seconds
- Only check fuel level, no running required
Correct answer: Run it for at least 3 minutes
SOLAS requires lifeboats engines to be run for at least 3 minutes during each weekly inspection.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a painter line on a liferaft?
- To secure the raft to a dock
- To activate the CO2 inflation system when pulled (Correct answer)
- To tow survivors in the water
- To mark the raft's location with a flag
Correct answer: To activate the CO2 inflation system when pulled
The painter line connects the liferaft container to the vessel; pulling it activates the hydrostatic inflator or manual inflation.
Question 7: What is the recommended body position for a person in the water without an immersion suit to reduce heat loss?
- Swim vigorously to generate body heat
- Float face down with arms extended
- Assume the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) position (Correct answer)
- Keep arms and legs moving in a treading motion
Correct answer: Assume the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) position
HELP position (knees drawn to chest, arms crossed over the chest) minimizes heat loss from the groin, armpits, and chest.
AB Lifesaving and Survival Craft 2
What is the minimum number of immersion suits required to be carried on a cargo vessel in US waters?