AB Lifesaving and Survival Craft 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a hydrostatic release unit (HRU) on a liferaft do?
- Releases the raft from its cradle when a vessel sinks to 1.5-4 meters depth (Correct answer)
- Inflates the raft with CO2 when activated manually
- Transmits a distress signal to rescue services
- Keeps the raft attached to the vessel during bad weather
Correct answer: Releases the raft from its cradle when a vessel sinks to 1.5-4 meters depth
The HRU automatically releases the liferaft from its cradle when the vessel sinks to a depth of 1.5 to 4 meters.
Question 2: Which signal indicates that crew should proceed to muster stations during an emergency?
- One short blast on the ship's whistle
- Seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast on the whistle (Correct answer)
- Three long blasts on the whistle
- Continuous ringing of the ship's bell
Correct answer: Seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast on the whistle
The abandon ship alarm is seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle or alarm system.
Question 3: What is the maximum number of persons a 20-person capacity liferaft is required to hold in an emergency?
- 20 (Correct answer)
- 24
- 25
- 18
Correct answer: 20
A liferaft is certified for a specific number of persons and must not exceed that rated capacity.
Question 4: How long must a lifeboat's propulsion system be capable of operating in still water at full load?
- 12 hours
- 18 hours
- 24 hours (Correct answer)
- 6 hours
Correct answer: 24 hours
SOLAS requires lifeboat engines to have sufficient fuel to operate for 24 hours at 6 knots.
Question 5: When should a crewmember don an immersion suit?
- Only after the vessel has begun to sink
- Only when ordered by the captain during a known emergency
- During any emergency where abandoning ship may be required (Correct answer)
- Only in Arctic or Antarctic waters
Correct answer: During any emergency where abandoning ship may be required
Immersion suits should be donned whenever there is a risk of abandoning ship, before entering the water.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the retro-reflective tape on liferafts and lifejackets?
- To indicate the grade of the safety equipment
- To make the equipment visible to radar
- To reflect light from searchlights at night for easier detection (Correct answer)
- To absorb UV light and glow in the dark
Correct answer: To reflect light from searchlights at night for easier detection
Retro-reflective tape reflects light from searchlights or torches back to the source, improving visibility during night rescues.
Question 7: What action should be taken with the sea anchor when a liferaft is adrift in open ocean?
- Deploy it to slow drift and keep the raft head-on to waves (Correct answer)
- Never deploy it as it will capsize the raft
- Deploy it only in calm weather to stabilize the raft
- Use it to steer the raft toward land
Correct answer: Deploy it to slow drift and keep the raft head-on to waves
A sea anchor slows the liferaft's drift, keeps it oriented into the waves, and helps prevent capsizing in rough seas.
AB Lifesaving and Survival Craft 3
What does a hydrostatic release unit (HRU) on a liferaft do?