Lifesaving and Survival Craft Flashcards

What is the minimum sustained speed requirement for a rescue boat?

Answer: 6 knots

SOLAS requires rescue boats to be capable of at least 6 knots in calm water when loaded with full complement.

A survival craft's painter must be long enough to allow the craft to drift clear of the vessel before inflation occurs. What is the minimum length required by SOLAS?

Answer: 20 meters

SOLAS requires the painter to be at least 20 meters long to ensure the raft drifts clear before inflating.

If a lifeboat or rescue boat falls into the water from its davits due to a sudden lurch of the vessel, what is this type of accident called?

Answer: Inadvertent launch

An inadvertent launch occurs when a survival craft is unintentionally released, a common cause of serious accidents during drills.

What is the correct way to enter a liferaft from a vessel that is sinking rapidly?

Answer: Step into the raft from the vessel's rail if possible, or jump feet first into the water

If possible, step directly into the raft; if you must enter the water, jump feet first away from the raft to avoid injury.

When using a hand-held flare, how should you hold it?

Answer: Downward and slightly away from the body on the leeward side

Hold the flare downwind, slightly away from the body, to prevent burning drips from falling on you or the raft.

In a survival situation, what is the recommended daily water ration per person when fresh water is limited?

Answer: 1 liter

The recommended minimum ration is approximately 0.5 liters per day for initial survival, though 1 liter is more sustainable for longer periods.

What does the acronym SART stand for in the context of maritime search and rescue?

Answer: Search and Rescue Transponder

SART stands for Search And Rescue Transponder; it responds to 9 GHz radar pulses to show a pattern on the searching vessel's radar screen.