Which statement about abandon-ship drills is accurate?

• A. Lifeboats must be released every 3 months during the drill.
• B. Lifeboats must be launched with full capacity and operating crew at least once a year.
• C. Lifeboats must be tested only in port, not at sea.
• D. Lifeboats must be launched with full capacity and operating crew at least once a month.

Answer: (B)

Abandon-ship drills center on proving the crew can quickly and safely evacuate and that lifeboat systems work under realistic conditions. The best standard is to launch lifeboats with full capacity and an operating crew at least once a year. This cadence ensures everyone knows their roles, the equipment is exercised with the people who would actually use it, and maintenance needs are confirmed without overburdening schedules. Annual full-crew launches test key elements—launching gear, drogue lines, engine start, and readiness of safety gear—so the crew stays proficient and the gear remains ready.

Statements suggesting quarterly releases, monthly launches, or testing only in port don’t align with typical practice because they either impose excessive repetition, miss real-world conditions at sea, or fail to exercise the lifeboat with a full crew and capacity.