Safety & Environmental Protection (Deck) USCG Question #3170 (Set 89)

A person has fallen overboard and is being picked up with a lifeboat. If the person appears in danger of drowning, what approach should the lifeboat make?

Official USCG Answer & Rule Citation

Correct Answer: Option C — the most direct approach

When a person is in immediate danger of drowning, the priority shifts from standard maneuvering to the most direct approach. Speed is essential to minimize the time the victim spends in the water, as the risk of hypothermia or loss of consciousness increases rapidly in emergency situations.

100% Free & Open Access — No daily limits, paywalls, or gated answers on BrightMariner.