A severe storm threatens the COASTAL DRILLER, and a decision is made to evacuate the unit. If practical, all non-essential personnel should be off the unit in advance of the storm's predicted arrival by __________.

Correct Answer: Option D — 48 hours

Standard offshore safety management systems and USCG guidelines mandate that non-essential personnel evacuation should be completed at least 48 hours prior to the predicted arrival of severe tropical weather or major storms.