Question 3690 Deck General

The correct answer is D) kept available for use on the fire main at all times. The reasoning behind this is that the fire pump on a vessel must be dedicated and available for firefighting purposes at all times, as per the regulations governing the US Coast Guard Captain's License Examinations. Even if multiple fire pumps are installed, one pump must be kept exclusively available for the fire main system, ready to be used in the event of a fire emergency. The other pumps may be used for other purposes, but one pump must remain dedicated and immediately accessible for firefighting. The other options are incorrect because: A) does not specify that the pump must be kept available at all times, B) does not ensure the pump is dedicated solely to the fire main, and C) does not address the requirement for one pump to be exclusively available for firefighting.