Which of the following should be ascertained regarding persons on board?

• A. Whether all have personal flotation devices
• B. Whether all have lifeboats
• C. Whether all have tickets
• D. Whether all are wearing life jackets

Answer: (A)

The main idea is ensuring personal safety equipment is available for everyone on board. Personal flotation devices are the basic, immediate safeguard that keeps a person buoyant if they enter the water. Verifying that each person has access to a PFD means you’ve set up the most direct way to prevent drowning in an emergency. Lifeboats are larger evacuation means for the vessel as a whole, not items each person must possess. Tickets relate to boarding or authorization, not safety equipment. Wearing life jackets at all times is important in some situations, but the essential step is confirming that every person has access to a PFD they can use when needed.