Who is responsible for giving the command to release the falls in a lifeboat drill?

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

The command to release the falls is given by the person in charge of launching the lifeboat—the coxswain. The coxswain is responsible for directing the lifeboat during launch, issuing the sequence of commands that enables the boat to lower safely, including telling the crew to release the falls. The captain oversees overall safety and may authorize the drill, but the specific release command comes from the coxswain because they control the lifeboat’s operations. The boatswain focuses on deck operations and rigging, while the engineer handles the machinery; neither typically issues the falls release command.