The correct answer is typically b. 1.
According to various maritime safety guidelines, a vessel should have at least one Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on board, including the captain. This means for a vessel with 4 passengers and 1 captain (total of 5 people), there should be at least 5 PFDs. However, the question seems to be asking how many PFDs should be above the vessel, which might refer to the minimum requirement or a specific operating rule.
If you consider the context of how many should be readily accessible or available "above" the vessel, the answer may differ based on specific regulations or circumstances. In general practice, you would aim to have one for each person, plus additional safety gear as needed. Always refer to local regulations for the correct requirements.