Your vessel is fitted with a stern-mounted free-fall lifeboat. Your examiner asks: "What special precaution applies to free-fall lifeboat drills that does not apply to conventional davit-launched lifeboats, and why?"

A. A free-fall lifeboat must NOT be launched by actual free-fall with persons on board during a drill, EXCEPT when the master is satisfied it is safe to do so — free-fall launching is a genuinely higher-energy, higher-risk evolution than a conventional davit lowering, and real free-fall launches with crew aboard have caused serious injuries during drills. In practice this means many free-fall drills are conducted as SIMULATED launches (the release mechanism and systems are exercised without an actual full free-fall drop with people aboard), with the regulations allowing an extended interval between actual full free-fall launches provided simulated launching is carried out at the shorter, more frequent interval in between.

B. Free-fall lifeboats have no special drill precaution at all — they are treated identically to conventional davit-launched lifeboats in every respect, including drill frequency and risk management.

C. Free-fall lifeboats may only ever be launched empty, with no persons aboard under any circumstances, including in a genuine emergency abandonment.

D. The special precaution for free-fall lifeboats is that they must be launched weekly rather than at the standard interval, due to their higher-risk design.

A. Nothing — a test lift can proceed immediately after repairs

B. Testing should wait until cargo operations begin

C. The area within the grab's swing radius should be cleared of personnel before the lift

D. Only the crane operator needs to be aware the lift is happening

A. Who must remain clear of the exclusion zone while the lift takes place

B. The lunch schedule for the deck team

C. Only the weather forecast for the next watch

D. The cargo manifest for the next port