The correct answer is C) Pull the painter from the container and make it fast to the cleat provided. This is the correct procedure because the painter is the line that connects the inflatable life raft to the vessel. When manually launching the raft, the first step is to pull the painter from the container and secure it to a cleat or other strong point on the vessel. This ensures the raft remains attached to the vessel during the inflation and launching process. The other steps, such as opening the canopy relief valves and removing the raft from the container, occur after the painter has been secured. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not represent the proper sequence of steps for a manual life raft launch. Connecting the float free link (A) and removing the raft from the container (D) should occur later in the process, and opening the canopy relief valves (B) is not the first step.