When must PFDs be worn according to standard practice?

• A. When the vessel is underway
• B. In conditions with a risk of immersion
• C. After engine start
• D. Only if the captain mandates

Answer: (B)

Wearing a PFD whenever there is a risk of immersion is the safest and most practical rule on the water. The whole point of a PFD is to provide buoyancy immediately if you fall overboard, keeping your head above water and making it easier for rescuers to locate you. Because water exposure can happen in many moments—rough weather, slick decks, working near the edge, boarding, or unexpected slips—the standard practice is to don a life jacket in conditions where immersion could occur. It isn’t something you rely on just because the engine is running or because the captain says so; it’s about the environment and the risk of falling into the water.