🔍 Key Concepts

• Lifeboat winch braking systems – difference between hand brake, centrifugal brake, and automatic safety features • How a counterweight is typically used in mechanical brake levers • Purpose of speed‑sensitive (centrifugal) devices during lowering of boats

💭 Think About

• Which component does the crew member actually operate by hand, and which components react automatically to speed? • In normal controlled lowering, what is the sequence: which brake is eased, which device limits speed, and which feature is a backup if something goes wrong? • Which option best describes a manual control action on the brake lever itself, rather than an automatic or speed‑sensing function?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which choices describe automatic actions versus manual/hand‑operated actions • Confirm in your mind what the centrifugal brake does and whether it is directly moved by the hand lever or by rotation speed • Think about how a counterweighted lever behaves when you let go of it versus when you actively move it by hand