Who gives the command to release the falls?

Prepare for the Water Survival 929 Test. Use flashcards, multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Get water safe!

The person in command of the small boat handles launching duties, so the one who gives the command to release the falls is the coxswain. The coxswain steers and coordinates the boat’s operations, including the launch sequence, and signaling to release the falls when it’s safe to lower or deploy the boat. The boatswain oversees rigging and line handling, but the actual release command during launch comes from the coxswain. The captain has overall command, and the engineer deals with machinery, not issuing launch commands.