What should be done if hull shows cracks during pre-practice safety check?

• A. Continue practice with caution.
• B. Apply temporary patch on-site.
• C. Remove boat from service until repaired.
• D. Record the issue for later.

Answer: (C)

Cracks in the hull indicate a structural compromise that can worsen under load, so safety requires removing the boat from service until it is repaired. A cracked hull can let water in, reduce buoyancy, and even fail during use, putting the crew at serious risk. Continuing practice with a cracked hull isn’t acceptable, even with extra caution. A temporary patch on-site may seem tempting, but patches don’t restore full structural integrity and can fail under rowing stresses. Merely recording the issue for later doesn’t address the immediate danger or prevent the boat from being used in its current condition. The right action is to take the boat out of service and arrange proper repair before it returns to use.