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Topic: Lifeboat Drill

Darlene
First Class Passenger
Member # 112

posted 02-19-2001 07:40 PM

Does anyone know what the regulations are for lifeboat drills?

I've been on 10 cruises and each one of them has had the lifeboat drill on the first day just we were leaving port. I just returned from a cruise on HAL's Noordam and during the 14 day cruise we had 2 drills. I've never experienced this before....usually it's only been one. Have the rules changed recently?

Posts: 61 | From: Canada | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-19-2001 07:58 PM

No this is not new. On a 14 day you will have 2 lifeboat drills and a 7-10 - one. Maritime law requires that a lifeboat drill be held every 7 days - somehow they get around it on a 10 day. Haven't had to do 2 for quite a while as our recent cruises are usually 10 days.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

obx
Just Boarded
Member # 1559

posted 02-20-2001 10:56 AM

Simpatico -
We, too, will be taking the 14 day Noordam cruise in December. Is the 2nd drill announced in the newsletter or is it a total surprise? As many times as I've done the maneuver, I still need time to get into that "Mae West"!

Posts: 8 | From: wellington, florida,usa | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-20-2001 12:28 PM

obx - I can't remember - but I am sure it will be in the daily newsletter. I know it is a pain, but just think if they didn't do it and there was an emergency, it would be chaos.
I just wish passengers would take a more serious view of Lifeboat Drill. So many of them think it is a big party and come with their drinks and wearing their high heels!

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 02-20-2001 06:24 PM

I need 1 lifeboat drill a day and I might remember what my station number was after a week.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 02-20-2001 07:04 PM

We take safety very seriously on planes, ships any where the masses are able to effect our safety. I do however remember when the life boat drill was a party with a band playing, champange and streamers to throw. It was really not that long ago! Kevin

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Darlene
First Class Passenger
Member # 112

posted 02-20-2001 07:44 PM

Sympatico, we've done 12 / 14 and 17 cruises in the past and only had a life boat drill once on each cruise. The Noordam cruise a few weeks ago was the first time ever for 2 drills. I'm all for safety and am somewhat glad that the cruise industry is honing up on passenger safety; however, I found it unusual to do it 2x on the same cruise. By the way, OBX, it was announced in the daily news. You'll be given lots of time to prepare.

Posts: 61 | From: Canada | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-20-2001 07:51 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Darlene:
Sympatico, we've done 12 / 14 and 17 cruises in the past and only had a life boat drill once on each cruise. The Noordam cruise a few weeks ago was the first time ever for 2 drills. I'm all for safety and am somewhat glad that the cruise industry is honing up on passenger safety; however, I found it unusual to do it 2x on the same cruise. By the way, OBX, it was announced in the daily news. You'll be given lots of time to prepare.

Darlene - were all these other cruises you've taken been on HAL?

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Frank X. Prudent
First Class Passenger
Member # 1723

posted 02-20-2001 11:41 PM

I was on the DELTA QUEEN for an eleven night trip from New Orleans to Cincinnati several years ago and we had two drills during the cruise. They're for our safety too, and I don't think that more than one drill a cruise for a longer cruise is excessive.

Last week I was aboard the S.S. INDEPENDENCE and there were two drills during that week. The first one included crew and passengers before we left Maui. The second drill for crew only was both fire and lifeboat and then abandon ship drills. This one was done under the watchful eye of the U.S.C.G. while we were docked at Kauai. The interested passengers were invited to watch the proceedings, but nothing was mandatory.

While aboard the IMAGINATION last year my morbidly obese brother in law did not have a life jacket in the stateroom that would fit. It was pointed out to the crew but nothing was ever done to get him a jacket that would properly fit. I think that this is inexcusable, and for all cruise lines safety should be a motivating factor.

By the way, the drill has to be held by law within twenty four hours of sailing. Now more and more cruise lines are having the drills right before sailing, and to me that just makes good sense.

Posts: 577 | From: Covington, Kentucky, U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

Beezo
First Class Passenger
Member # 1505

posted 02-21-2001 11:46 AM

Now more and more cruise lines are having the drills right before sailing, and to me that just makes good sense.[/B][/QUOTE]

I agree with you. I remember when their was a fire on the ECSTASY only an hour or 2 ofter departure. Personally, i would rather have a the drill in the port before we set sail.

Brian

Posts: 865 | From: Massachusetts, USA | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 02-22-2001 12:35 AM

Breeze: In port prior to departure is probably the best time, BUT I have real problems when they do it as you sail out of an interesting port. This prohibits you from having a good look about. I probably would be kicked off at the first port of call, as I will not leave the outdoor railing during sailing. As a ship watcher I don't want to, and will not miss a sailing!

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Cambodge
First Class Passenger
Member # 906

posted 02-22-2001 07:59 AM

I know this is a repetition from another posting, but I would NOT like to see drills at portside!

On a sailing of the "Nordic Prince" in 1975, the drill was combined with much hoo-haw shouting to friends on the pier; loud music blared from radios; and passengers expressed considerable of annoyance that their departure was interruped by this obviously unnecessary charade.

People were chatting loudly, totally blotting out the announcements from the p.a. many were taking photos of themselves in their life jackets; and behaving boorishly and boisterously and in such a manner that the seriousness of the exercise was completely lost.

I won no popularity contests when I shouted to a bunch of noisy yahoos, "Shut up, this stuff is important!" One over-madeup babe simply snarled "Why?"

The crew was no help, the prospects of tips at the end of the voyage were more important than any confrontation with passengers at this point. Ships officers made their customary "walkaround" and assured passengers that this was really unecessary because the ship would never sink, etc. etc.

Thank god I did not have to participate in a real emergency with that batch of turkeys.

Bottom line - a drill underway has more realism and less distractions!

[This message has been edited by Cambodge (edited 02-22-2001).]

Posts: 2149 | From: St. Michaels MD USA , the town that fooled the British! | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Frank X. Prudent
First Class Passenger
Member # 1723

posted 02-22-2001 04:42 PM

You are so right, Cambodge, about the importance of the drills, but it's still probably better to do the drill before departure. If you wait till after departure all of the scheduling problems remain, and those sottish turkeys are even more of a nuisance.

Posts: 577 | From: Covington, Kentucky, U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

RICHARD CHUDY
First Class Passenger
Member # 1323

posted 02-22-2001 05:33 PM

I was just wondering.....did they board new passengers at mid cruise at some new port call? Could this account for the second lifeboat drill? I did 15 day trans canal, had 1 drill. I did 16 day Hawaii on HAL, 1 drill.

In fact we did board new passengers in Honolulu to cruise back to San Diego and there was no drill. So I just don't know.
With Kindest Regards
Richard

Posts: 195 | From: Singal Hill, CA 90755 In sight of The Queen Mary | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-22-2001 05:59 PM

quote:
Originally posted by RICHARD CHUDY:
I was just wondering.....did they board new passengers at mid cruise at some new port call? Could this account for the second lifeboat drill? I did 15 day trans canal, had 1 drill. I did 16 day Hawaii on HAL, 1 drill. In fact we did board new passengers in Honolulu to cruise back to San Diego and there was no drill. So I just don't know.
With Kindest Regards
Richard

Richard - now that you mention it we did only have 1 lifeboat drill on our Hawaii trip, BUT, those paxs who boarded in Honolulu (in the days when they did this) did have to go to lifeboat drill, that I do remember. Maybe you just didn't see them!
However, I do remember having to do 2 lifeboat drills on some cruise way back when, because we all moaned and groaned about it.
My friends are on the cruise right now and when they come back will ask them how many they had.
Diane

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

James
First Class Passenger
Member # 1351

posted 02-24-2001 12:19 PM

I recall the Noordam having two drills on our trip around South America last year, but also it was two cruises back to back and some passengers changed at Valpairiso. I also recall that the Marco Polo had two on its 21-day Antarctic trip;the muster stations were inside! The best and most informative lifeboat drill we ever had was on the Stella Solaris when the captain gave us detailed pointers on what to bring with if and when.

Posts: 202 | From: Illinois, Home of Lincoln and great graft | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Darlene
First Class Passenger
Member # 112

posted 02-25-2001 04:17 PM

Sympatico: My past cruises were on Princess, HAL and Radisson Seven Seas. None were back to back or segments of cruises. Rather, they were the actual length of the registered cruise. I belive that on our recent Noordam cruise there were a few passengers picked up at our first port of call because they missed the initial sailing; however, to the best of my knowledge, there were no other new passengers after that. The second life boat drill was done a week after the new passengers were boarded.

I would also note that during the cruise, there were at least 2, if not more, drills for the staff.

The drills were very well operated - everyone was accounted for at their muster stations. On a previous cruise (Princess) they did the drill in the show lounge - although the noted that there were lifeboats for everyone, we never knew for sure! I felt that the HAL drills were much better done - we each stood in front of the life boat and were reassured that there was room for everyone - including the staff!

Posts: 61 | From: Canada | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 02-25-2001 08:57 PM

There seems to be 2 different schools of thought on where to muster the pax for the drills. The most common is to an internal muster station, and from here lead the pax to the boats/rafts most suitable for the existing situation. Should equipment be not usable because of smoke, listing or weather the passengers can thus be directed to an area suitable for evacuation. While boats are readied and a final decision made as to whether or not the evacuation should proceed, all passengers are kept warm, dry and informed, rather than cold, wet and at the mercy of the PA system. The other is to assemble passengers outside at an actual boat station regardless of weather and whatever situation the emergency has created. I'm not sure which is best; perhaps regulatory officials accept both. What really matter to me is the approach the line takes to such drills. Holland America gets top marks amoungst those lines I have sailed with.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 03-28-2001 12:29 PM

Hi..having just come back from a 30 day trip on the Crown Odyssey, I thought what they do on there is a good example of how it should be done. The first drill is held before sailing so that everyone is familiar with their Muster Stations in one of the lounges etc. The cabin numbers are called out and the answer is the number of persons in that cabin. One of the cabin stewards jobs is to check all his cabins, and another is to report any of his passengers who he thinks may have mobility problems.
The 2nd. drill a week later is a muster again, followed by an exercise in going single file to your boat, a couple of which are brought down to embarkation level. (as a personal thing - I have problems with steps/stairs etc. - at the muster a crew member found me, introduced himself and explained that he had been assigned to assist me, as a result of a report from our cabin steward.) The 3rd. drill was before sailing from Papeete and was of course for the new passengers. The 4th. a week later would have been another one to the boats except the weather was too bad.
So that is the routine on Orient line as the Marco Polo is the same. It is also done very efficiently, without any apparent anti from any passengers.
As we had quite a lot of bad weather including being chased by Cyclone 'Paula', it was a good illustration of why mustering inboard is the way to do it. The old method of mustering at the boats, like women and children first, should be consigned to history.
.......peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 03-28-2001 03:09 PM

I don't believe the requirement for Boatdrill after 7 days has been in effect for too long - probably about 3 or 4 years. On two previous Hawaii cruises, I really don't recall 2 drills. However, on our latest 15 day cruise to Hawaii (HAL) we had 2 drills - both held in port - 1st in San Diego before sailing - the second was at Kona before we left the Hawaiian Islands to head back home.

Another change was that the Casino had to be completely closed for the duration of our cruise around the Islands......it was a surprise to the Captain - there was a real scramble to provide activities for those suffering 'gambling withdrawal'! To fill the void, gambling lessons were given - no money involved!

Happy Cruisin'

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Blizzard54
First Class Passenger
Member # 1824

posted 03-28-2001 08:08 PM

That is new. The ban on gambling in Hawaian waters was put in to discourage non-US flaged ships from entering that market.

Posts: 118 | From: Seattle,WA | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

JP
First Class Passenger
Member # 1373

posted 03-29-2001 11:18 AM

Interesting. The USCG's "Cruise Ship Consumer Fact Sheet" at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/cruiseship.htm states "On voyages that will last more than one week, the first drill will be held before the ship gets underway (passengers who embark at the last minute sometimes miss this drill), with additional drills at least once a week thereafter." On our 16 night RCI Legend cruise last month, the one and only (as far as I know) drill was held the next morning, at sea.

Posts: 280 | From: Minnesota, USA | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 03-29-2001 12:28 PM

Very interesting - not much good though if all Lines do not follow through!

"Emergency Drills. Coast Guard regulations and SOLAS require that the master of an ocean cruise ship periodically hold fire and lifeboat drills. They are intended not only to give the crew practice, but also to show the passengers how to act in the event of an emergency at sea. Passengers should participate fully in these drills. The timing and frequency of the drills depends in large part on the length of the voyage. On voyages that will last more than one week, the first drill will be held before the ship gets underway (passengers who embark at the last minute sometimes miss this drill), with additional drills at least once a week thereafter. On voyages of one week or less, the drills must be held within 24 hours after leaving port.
Coast Guard and international regulations also require a notice to be posted conspicuously in each passenger cabin or stateroom. The notice explains the following: How to recognize the ship's emergency signals (alarm bells and whistle signals are normally supplemented by announcements made over the ship's public address system); the location of life preservers provided for passengers in that stateroom (special life preservers for children will be provided, if necessary, by the room steward); instructions and pictures explaining how to put on the life preserver; and the lifeboat to which passengers in that stateroom are assigned. (Note: Passengers need not be alarmed if they discover that the total number of person's on board a cruise ship (passengers + crew) exceeds the total capacity of the ship's lifeboats. Modern cruise ships carry a variety of survival craft. Passengers are invariably assigned to lifeboats or similar survival craft. The total capacity of all the survival craft on board will exceed the total number of persons on the vessel).
When fire and lifeboat drills are held, crew members from the stewards department are generally responsible for assisting and directing passengers in the drill. Direction signs showing the path to reach lifeboats are posted in passageways and stairways throughout the ship. The crewmember in charge of each lifeboat will muster the passengers assigned to that lifeboat, and give passengers any final instructions necessary in the proper method of donning and adjusting their life preservers. If there is any portion of the emergency procedures the passenger doesn't understand, they should question the crew until the instructions are clear and completely understood."

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

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