What is the difference between a permanent and a portable system?

• A. Portable systems need to be hard wired, whereas the permanent ones do not.
• B. Permanent systems need to be hard wired, whereas the portable ones do not.
• C. They are identical.
• D. Portable systems are more powerful.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how the equipment is installed and powered on a boat. Permanent systems are designed to stay in one spot and are wired into the boat’s electrical system, so they require hard wiring. Portable systems aren’t fixed; they can be moved between vessels and run on batteries or temporary power, without permanent wiring. That’s why the correct understanding is that permanent systems need to be hard wired, whereas portable ones do not. The other statements don’t fit: fixed systems aren’t defined by not being wired, portable devices aren’t inherently more powerful, and the two types aren’t identical.