If the coxswain of your lifeboat gives the command "Hold water" you should __________.

Correct Answer: Option A — dip the blade of your oar into the water vertically and hold it perpendicular to the keel line

The command "Hold water" directs crew members to dip their oar blades vertically into the water and hold them completely perpendicular to the keel line, creating immediate hydrodynamic drag to check or stop the lifeboat's forward motion.