Your examiner asks: "The lifeboat davit winch brake is periodically load-tested. What does this test involve, and roughly how often is it carried out?"

A. The davit winch brake is subject to a periodic OPERATIONAL (DYNAMIC) TEST, commonly carried out as part of the five-yearly thorough examination regime — the lifeboat (or an equivalent test load) is loaded to a PROOF LOAD equal to approximately 1.1 times the actual weight of the survival craft/rescue boat complete with its full complement of persons and equipment (or an equivalent load), then lowered; when the boat reaches its maximum lowering speed, the brake is abruptly applied to confirm it can safely arrest the load under realistic dynamic (not just static) conditions. This dynamic test is considered essential because a winch brake that appears to hold a static load may still fail to safely arrest a load already moving at speed — exactly the load condition the brake must reliably handle in a genuine emergency launch.

B. The winch brake load test uses a proof load significantly BELOW the lifeboat's normal loaded weight, since testing above normal operating load is considered unsafe and is never carried out.

C. The winch brake is tested only statically, with the load held stationary — there is no dynamic (moving-load) element to the periodic test at any interval.

D. Winch brake load testing is carried out weekly, using the same proof-load and dynamic-brake-application procedure as the five-yearly thorough examination.

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