Which PPE is required for all personnel on deck during operations?

• A. A properly fitted PFD for everyone, hearing protection when engines run, gloves, and weather-appropriate outerwear.
• B. Only helmets.
• C. No PPE required.
• D. Gas mask and fire suit.

Answer: (A)

Wearing comprehensive PPE on deck during operations protects against multiple on-the-water hazards: flotation risk, noise damage, hand injuries, and exposure to wind and spray. A properly fitted personal flotation device keeps everyone buoyant if someone goes overboard, which is the top safety concern on a moving deck. Engine noise is loud and can cause long-term hearing loss, so hearing protection should be in place whenever the engines are running. Gloves shield hands from rope burns, lines, splinters, and sharp edges encountered when handling gear and rigging. Weather-appropriate outerwear helps keep you warm and dry, preserving dexterity and reducing the risk of hypothermia in windy or wet conditions.

The other options don’t provide this full range of protection: helmets alone don’t address flotation, hearing protection, or weather exposure; there’s no PPE at all in some scenarios, which is unsafe; and a gas mask with a fire suit is not a standard or practical requirement for routine deck operations.