Skipping the Safety Drill - We Got "The Letter"

inkkognito

<font color=green>I shall call him Mini-Me<br><fon
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Nov 22, 1999
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Since skipping the safety drill was a hot topic here before we left for our latest Wonder cruise, I just have to share our experience!
Having sailed 31 times, we have faithfully attended the drill every time. Although the chances are minimal that there would ever be a problem, spending the short time required at the drill could help to save your life.
In all our cruises, we had never taken the requisite "silly life jacket photo." This time, I told hubby that we HAVE to do it, so for once, he remembered to bring along the camera.
As we entered Animators, where our station is located when we are in 5650, a crew member read the stateroom number from our lifejackets. I know he got it right because I heard him say it. They try to catch as many numbers as possible as people come in to minimize the numbers that they have to call out from their checklist.
Out of habit, I still listened to the numbers as they were called. I didn't hear ours, but between the photo taking and the nimrod whose walkie talkie kept beeping and making a static noise every 7 seconds (I'm not exaggerating...I timed it, and I'm surprised the man next to her didn't kill her because by the end of the drill he was staring at her with murder in his eyes), I could easily have missed it.
Later that day, what should show up in "fish mail" (the fish ornament outside the stateroom doors that serves as a handy spot to leave notes), but "the letter!" It's a letter from the Safety Officer that is apparently sent to those who miss the drill. What irony, in light of the recent discussion! And even more ironically, this was the only time that hubby and I had proof that we DID attend...our photos! We definitely got a laugh out of the experience (and to those who are reluctant to attend, if we can do it 31 times, you can definitely tolerate it once).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com
 
Barb, Did you post the letter on your website? Just curious what it said and the tone of it.

Not sure why anyone would want to skip this important drill for what little time it takes it could save your life sometime.
 
Not sure why anyone would want to skip this important drill for what little time it takes it could save your life sometime.

Because some people are lazy and/or think that it will never happen to them and/or think that they are all knowing and will know exactly what to do in an emergency. It's the same as people not paying attention to the safety demonstration at the beginning of every flight. People take things for granted...
 
I think that hubby brought it home along with the navigators so I'll have to dig it out. But the tone was very polite...it instructs you to locate your station and emphasizes the importance of knowing that information.
I am always amazed at the number of people who whine and complain during the drill about the inconvenience, the time, the annoyance of having to put on the life jacket etc. I wonder how people like that would react in a real emergency.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com
 

Barb.....I loved the drill. I thought it was great to have everyone in their "dress vests". True, I have only been through it once....you are a real trouper ! I think it is a small price to pay for security. I live in New York and know firsthand how important it is to have these security measures in place. So, I will don my vest proudly (although I am sure to embarrass my son somehow during the drill....which is kind of the point!)
 
We have never skpped a lifeboat dril. I must say that the thing that bothers me about the drill is that the lifevests smell like dirty hair. They need "freshening up".
 
Actually, one of the highpoints of my cruise happened during the safety drill. Since you stand in line by height- I was behind a child of about 8 years old :rolleyes: . She turned around and looked at me and said, "How old are you?" I looked right back at her and said, "How old do you think I am?" (I was 34 at the time) and she sized me up and said, "19" I said..." You are the smartest little girl on this ship!":teeth:
 
Mermaid2 - that is such a cute story!
I always feel like the fire drill is the official start of the cruise and have never been bothered by it. I lecture my DD and DGrD over and over about not being late for it. Last month I was worried because I knew my mom couldn't walk the stairs so I took her up to our station a little early. I got her to the right floor, took her over to a door leading out on deck and I stuck my head out. I saw a big letter L and pointed it out to her. I told her to slowly walk in that direction and to wait for me under the 1st big letter M she saw (which I assumed would come after L) I raced back down and got our vests but when I got back there was no mom and no letter M. I hadn't realized they alternated letters on either side of the ship! I went running over to M and there was still no mom, but my DD and DGrD were there and said, "you and mom mom missed the drill!!"-their tone of voice was so serious. I think they thought we'd be thrown off the Wonder after hearing all my lectures. I realized mom had no idea of our room # and had visions of her roaming the ship for 4 days lost. Right then an officer came walking down the deck with mom in tow. He was smiling and asking loudly, " has anyone misplaced a grandmother??". I was so happy to see her, but I too received a letter explaining the importance of the fire drill later that day!
 
This time we may be picking up an added bonus to the drill. DD & DS are both Scouts (yea, I know anyone that has read many of my posts knows that I'm a pretty proud mama over their accomplishments :rolleyes: ) and working on their respective Emergency Preparedness vests.

One of the requirements is to participate in a disaster drill! And the requirements do not specify the intensity of this drill! So we will be counting this. Of course, they both know the importance of being prepared. On the last cruise they were the ones helping grandma and grandpa figure it out! Now those are GREAT pictures!

P.S. - They then also have to plan an emergency response to a situation and run it in a mock setting - hmmmm we live near Lake Michigan, there could be a tie in here! ;)

Deb
 
Barb,

As punishment for "not" attending the drill, you and hubby will have to watch the 2nd half of "Titanic" every night for a week. LOL
 
Originally posted by sandee
I realized mom had no idea of our room # and had visions of her roaming the ship for 4 days lost. Right then an officer came walking down the deck with mom in tow. He was smiling and asking loudly, " has anyone misplaced a grandmother??".

You have me giggling!!! Thanks!b ;)
 
Deb, can't our punishment be watching the first half of the movie? We both love the part in Titanic where the guy who wears the t-shirt with the smiley face that has a bullet hole shows a digital re-creation of the sinking to Rose. His description of the ship's aft going up in the air is priceless!

Plutojudy, your comments reminded me of the time I had a life vest that had obviously been previously worn by a person who had no idea that water was safe for bathing in. Instead, they apparently used STRONG perfume! Ugh!
I was curious about the cleanliness of the lifejackets, so I used my handy-dandy black light on them, and although some may be stinky, they were free of any yucky body fluids. :p
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com
 
I'm wondering if crew members read these boards(which we suspect) and everyone knew which rooms you are usually in- perhaps they cleaned them more than others. I'm still laughing picturing you checking the lifevest with the blacklight.
 
Hee hee...maybe I should have announced "surprise" random inspections at some of the neighboring staterooms!
But actually I think our stateroom was in its usual state of cleanliness for any occupant because we did find two very minor things. In the bathroom, there was a tiny spot (smaller than my pinky fingernail) that showed up behind the sink pipe. And I noticed a permanent stain on the wall next to the tall dresser, so I checked it out with my light. Although the dresser itself appears clean, you can see where someone did a major spill under the black light. It's not body fluids, just something that is the right color to show up. If they were going to "prep" the stateroom, I imagine I wouldn't have found anything at all (or maybe those minor finds were just Disney's attention to detail to make it realistic ;) ).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com
 
Barb, thanks for doing the black light test on the life preservers.;) Makes me feel a little better but, they do smell from dirty hair.:mad:
 
Barb,
CONGRATS!!!! I can't believe you have had-- what is it 500 cruises -- and you are just now taking the silly life vest photo???
:jester: :jester: :jester: :jester: :jester:
We have one of those photos from every cruise we have ever taken----- Did you know every line has a different kind of vest?? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

DH did save our letter. I swear I am going to make a framed peice of 'art' with the letter and a close-up of DD2 bawling her head off because she had to wear the vest!!! ;) :)

Barbara
 
Barb,
I'd never heard of carrying a black light to spot bodily fluids. Maybe I'd rather not know.....
But just in case, where do you buy them?
Bobbi
 
I got my handy dandy at Petsmart. It's nothing I'd ever really thought about, either, till we got the new cat. We were picking up supplies and hubby noticed it. Since we'd caught Stitch going potty where he shouldn't, we figured that it would be a good way to check up on him (of course, I was pretty shocked by what I found!!!).
I like your tag..."fresh brewed iced tea" is my middle name, but on the ship it has to be black currant or mint. :D
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com
 
Ohhhh nooooooo!!!!
I just noticed my own tag!!!!! :earseek:
I thought that I was safe, but I should know that nothing escapes the notice of the Tag Fairy. ;)
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com
 
Originally posted by inkkognito
I was curious about the cleanliness of the lifejackets, so I used my handy-dandy black light on them, and although some may be stinky....

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