What must Boat Crew Members wear at all times if a dry suit is worn?

Boat Crew Members must wear a life jacket at all times when wearing a dry suit for several important safety reasons. The primary function of a life jacket is to provide buoyancy, reducing the risk of drowning in the event of an emergency or accidental immersion in water.

When wearing a dry suit, the primary goal is to protect the individual from cold water and potentially hazardous environments. However, even while wearing a dry suit, there remains a risk of having water enter the suit, particularly if the seals are compromised or in the case of a rescue situation. In such scenarios, the buoyancy provided by a life jacket becomes crucial. It allows the crew member to remain afloat should they encounter difficulties, ensuring that they can be brought back to safety by their teammates or rescuers.

While a helmet, diving gear, and thermal gloves are beneficial in specific circumstances, they do not fulfill the critical role of contributing to flotation and overall safety in water, which is why the life jacket is a mandatory requirement when using a dry suit.