What survival equipment is typically packed inside a SOLAS-approved liferaft, and why does knowing its location matter?

A. Liferafts only carry food and water; signalling and repair equipment must be brought separately by the crew

B. SOLAS liferafts carry no standardised equipment — contents vary entirely at the discretion of each shipowner

C. Typically includes: paddles, a bailer, sponge, repair kit and clamps for punctures, sea anchor, fishing kit, signalling equipment (flares, torch, signalling mirror, whistle), first aid kit, anti-seasickness tablets, drinking water and food rations, and a survival manual — knowing where the equipment pack is stowed inside the raft (often under a seat or in a side pocket) avoids wasting precious time searching for it in an emergency

D. Equipment location is not worth learning in advance, since the survival manual explains it once aboard

A. The HRU is simply a decorative bracket with no functional release mechanism

B. The HRU only operates if manually armed by an officer before each voyage

C. The HRU automatically releases the liferaft from its cradle if the vessel sinks to a set depth (typically around 4 metres), allowing the raft to float free and inflate even if no one has manually launched it — a critical backup if the crew cannot reach the raft in time

D. The HRU prevents the liferaft from ever being launched manually, for safety reasons

A. Throw the raft container into the water first, then worry about the painter line afterwards if there is time

B. The painter line should be cut immediately after the raft inflates, to allow it to drift freely

C. Check the area below is clear, secure the painter line to a strong point on the vessel before releasing the raft, throw or lower the raft container into the water, then pull the painter line firmly to inflate it — never let go of the painter line until the raft is confirmed inflated and the line is needed to bring the raft alongside

D. Inflate the raft while it is still in its container on deck, then carry the inflated raft to the side