In a hand-propelled lifeboat, which action moves the boat forward or backward?

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Multiple Choice

In a hand-propelled lifeboat, which action moves the boat forward or backward?

In a hand-propelled lifeboat, propulsion comes from a manual drive connected to a propeller. The two lever handles are part of that drive; pulling them in the fore and aft direction rotates the propeller. When the propeller turns to push water backward, the boat moves forward; reversing the direction of the lever motion reverses the propeller and moves the boat backward. Steering components like the rudder or wheel only change direction, they don’t provide thrust. A sail would rely on wind, which isn’t the propulsion method here.

In a hand-propelled lifeboat, propulsion comes from a manual drive connected to a propeller. The two lever handles are part of that drive; pulling them in the fore and aft direction rotates the propeller. When the propeller turns to push water backward, the boat moves forward; reversing the direction of the lever motion reverses the propeller and moves the boat backward. Steering components like the rudder or wheel only change direction, they don’t provide thrust. A sail would rely on wind, which isn’t the propulsion method here.

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