Which maintenance interval is specified for lifeboats' stripping, cleaning, and thorough overhaul?

• A. Annual
• B. Monthly
• C. Biennial
• D. Decadal

Answer: (A)

Regular maintenance of lifeboats centers on keeping the launching and safety systems reliable. Stripping and cleaning remove salt, grime, and corrosion buildup while inspecting for wear, cracks, and seals, plus refreshing lubricants where needed. A thorough overhaul goes deeper: parts are disassembled, critical components like the release mechanism are tested, worn items are replaced, and the overall operability is verified. This level of service is typically done annually, which provides a thorough check without the excessive disruption of more frequent work and without leaving potential issues unchecked for years. Monthly servicing would be unnecessarily frequent for this type of overhaul, while waiting every two or ten years risks undetected faults.