What is one of the first things you would do on boarding an inflatable liferaft?

The correct approach when boarding an inflatable liferaft is to check the raft for leaks. This is critical because ensuring the integrity of the liferaft is essential for safety and survival after abandoning a vessel. A liferaft must be fully operational, which includes making sure that it is not compromised by any leaks that could lead to deflation and jeopardize the occupants' safety.

Checking for leaks allows the occupants to assess if the raft is seaworthy and ready to provide support in a survival situation. Properly inflating the raft and ensuring it is air-tight is fundamental before proceeding with any other actions, including signaling for help or picking up other survivors.

While retrieving other survivors is important, it should be prioritized after ensuring that the liferaft is functional and safe to use. Signaling for help and attempting to gather other individuals can also follow once the raft's condition is confirmed and everyone is secure. Therefore, the immediate priority on boarding should always be the raft's safety and functionality.