What types of inspections are allowed for boarding officers?

Boarding officers are authorized to conduct a variety of inspections to ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing vessels. The inclusion of safety, security, and environmental compliance inspections reflects the broad scope of their responsibilities.

Safety inspections are critical as they assess whether vessels are equipped with the necessary safety equipment and are operating in a manner that protects the crew, passengers, and environment. Security inspections are vital to safeguarding against unlawful acts such as piracy or terrorism, ensuring that vessels can operate securely. Environmental compliance inspections are important for checking adherence to regulations designed to protect marine ecosystems, which often involves evaluating waste management practices and discharge processes.

The other options presented do not cover the complete range of inspections that boarding officers can perform. While operational and maintenance inspections, as well as visual and auditory inspections, might play a role in ensuring safe vessel operations, they are too narrow in scope and do not encompass the critical elements of safety, security, and environmental factors that are integral to a boarding officer's duties. Therefore, the correct answer captures the comprehensive duties expected of boarding officers effectively.