Which item should be on the coaching launch according to standard practice?

• A. PFD on coach with ER Stop Lanyard on
• B. Noise maker
• C. Ladder
• D. Extra gas

Answer: (A)

Wearing a personal flotation device with the engine’s emergency stop lanyard attached is the safest and most essential practice for a coaching launch. The PFD keeps the coach buoyant if they fall overboard, and the ER Stop Lanyard allows the engine to be killed immediately, preventing prop injuries or a runaway boat while the crew is in motion. This directly protects lives and maintains control on the water, which is why it’s the preferred standard.

The other items don’t provide the same immediate safety benefits. A noise maker is helpful in some signaling scenarios but isn’t a safety baseline, a ladder can introduce hazards on a small launch, and extra gas isn’t a universal standard requirement for practice.