Tips for a shipboard emergency while on a cruise.
- Thread starter insureman
- Start date
extechie rbd/wdt
DIS Veteran
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- Mar 25, 2011
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Com_op_2000 posted 1 new reg the other day:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2875681
Ex Techie
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2875681
Ex Techie
So probably not much changed at DCL, as they usually do their drills before departure. At least at PC, maybe they moved the drill to the next morning on the Alaska itineraries because of late departure?
On a HAL cruise out of Seward, dinner was served later so the drill could be done before departure, but because of some delayed flights, some passengers still arrived while the drill was in progress or even after, those had to attend a drill the next morning. Downside of this was that we were at dinner when the ship left the port.
On a HAL cruise out of Seward, dinner was served later so the drill could be done before departure, but because of some delayed flights, some passengers still arrived while the drill was in progress or even after, those had to attend a drill the next morning. Downside of this was that we were at dinner when the ship left the port.
truck1
Growing older but not up.
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- Jul 7, 2009
- Messages
- 6,142
Cruise Ship Safety
General
In the unlikely event of an emergency, short of a fire, or collision, the general alarm may not sound right away until the Capt is informed by the appropriate crew members the severity of the issue. Do not panic and respond to any emergency pages made for crew.
Guest's would be instructed (most likely via the emergency paging system, speaker's in all Stateroom's, venues, general area's and deck's) to either return to their Stateroom or just stay put where ever they are.
Once whatever situation has been assessed and only then if necessary would the general alarm be sounded. In addition I would expect several message's instructing you to do certain thing's, walk don't run, go immediately to your assigned lifeboat station and the like.
Try to keep as calm as possible and even stop and listen to the announcements if necessary. They maybe telling you NOT to go to a certain area!
Do not go in search of other family members or people within your party. Go to the assigned lifeboat station and meet there.
If you are instructed to return to your Stateroom or are already in there, bring flat soled shoes, any medication and warm clothing along with your lifejacket.
In any emergency, go where the crew tells you. Go directly there. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, do not go back to your cabin unless told to do so. There are reasons that the crew will tell you to do things, and they may not have time to tell you that, sorry your cabins burning and the fire and water tight doors are closed nearby.
If you have kids, go where the crew tells you. The counselors will bring your kids to you. Don’t go running around the ship looking for them. It’s hard enough to pick 1 family out of a crowd, even harder if you’re a moving target.
Be prepared for anything and stay calm during everything. There's plenty of time to panic and become hysterical after it's all over and you're replaying it in your head!
Always meet at the muster station, don't go back to the stateroom, unless otherwise told to do so by the crew!! Your muster station is on your KTTW card so it will be easy to remember even if they are worried. If they are in the stateroom, go to the nearest stairs.
Do NOT use the ELEVATORS. They take too long and in the case of power failure, the last thing the crew needs is to rescue someone from the elevator. Use the stairs.
No pushing, fighting biting kicking and screaming in the stairs. In the end, it doesn’t help.
Try and keep a mental image of where you are on the ship at any given time. It could make the difference. Keep in mind, the closest exit, door or stairs may be behind you.
If you are on the stairs, after you get where you need to be, get off them and away from the landings. You won’t know if any of the crew needs them, or if others are coming down behind you.
The crew and officers, especially at Disney are VERY well trained. They are going to be your go to people for everything. So listen to their instructions.
The ship has emergency lighting that run's on batteries (locally and remotely) in the event of power failure. There is low level led lighting on all Guest staircases, emergency exits along with the exit signs. Fluorescent strips will be found in some of the crew area's you may be directed to use in an emergency.
Also if you can, to help another passenger who is having problems would be the proper thing to do, just a hand to hold or a little support could go a long way to help keep someone and traffic moving to the muster stations or open decks.
In your Cabin
There is a safety video on Channel 224 (check if this is the channel for all ships)
Close the door and read it. On the back is all of the information you will need in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Check your stateroom life preservers for amount and sizes.
Try your life vest on, make sure you tighten all the straps, and they are not flying around or trailing to be tripped over. If you are traveling with an infant, or need a different size, ask your stateroom host(ess). They can bring more.
Keep cell phone handy for a source of light.
Thoroughly educate your children, age appropriate of course, about what to do in the event of an emergency
Check your PFD’s (personal flotation device) (Life Jackets) Even though no longer required to bring to drill, TRY THEM ON, both for fit and to familiarize yourself with donning them.
Do remember, though, that you may NOT be able to return to a particular stateroom in an emergency. In passing, and as you greet various crewmembers at the beginning of your cruise, inquire politely as to locations of "alternate" PFD's
Discuss emergency situations with family. If you've never done a home assessment and emergency or fire planning with them, do one! Then they'll have some familiarity with what to do, and you can extrapolate that when on a ship. The time to plan is NOT when you're up to your neck in water
Fire
On the off chance there’s a fire somewhere, don’t go charging out of your cabin, and head on your way to the muster station or where ever you’ve been told. Stop. Check the cabin door with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, don’t open it. Call the security number and tell them where you are. Place wet towels under the door, and then back away from it.
If the door is cool (always always always use the back of your hand) open the door slowly, stay low and look into the hallway. If there is smoke, stay low, preferably on your hands and knees, and keep contact with the wall. Keep a shoulder or hand on it. If the smoke is too bad, don’t leave your cabin, call security and tell them where you are. Again place wet towels under your door.
Person Overboard/Person(s) in the water
If you see someone jump/fall overboard, boat in distress, etc.
Keep an eye them at all times. If one is near throw a life ring towards the person. Have someone nearby call a crew member to alert the bridge. But don’t take your eyes off of them if you can help it. It’s next to impossible to find them again.
Lifeboats/Muster Station
Once at your lifeboat station, keep as quiet as possible and listen to the CM's instructions.
You may not ever actually need to board the lifeboat as the situation may change and be brought under control.
If instructed to board the lifeboat, do so in an orderly manner. The boat needs to be loaded evenly, Stateroom number checked off so listen to the CM's and do as they say.
Unless you are on a TA crossing, you are only a few hours away from other ship's and vessels.
The lifeboats have emergency equipment and rations onboard, water and energy food bars along with flashlights, flares, mirrors for signaling etc.
Drill
Go to the drill.
Pay attention.
Ask questions.
Try on your life jacket.
Know where your muster station is.
Remember the crew is trained on emergency procedures. Listen to them.
Aircraft
Always know where your nearest exit is
Count the number of rows to your nearest exit
Listen to the safety announcement
Shoes on for takeoff and landing (if you have to evacuate its easier in shoes)
If you have to evacuate leave all carryons behind (if the aircraft is on fire you have a limited time to get out don’t let your purse slow you down)
Takeoff and landing always push all carryon’s under the seat in front of you, if you have to evacuate you don’t want anything to trip you
If you are sat at an emergency exit read the card and know how to open that exit window or door quickly
Know that in a smoke filled cabin the best air to breathe is at the armrest level so crouch down to evacuate
Wear your seatbelt anytime you are sat down (clear air turbulence can hit anytime....)
If you are in the aisle during turbulence find the nearest seat if it’s so bad that you are having difficulty standing and there’s no empty seats nearby then sit on the floor and hold on
Seatbelts should be worn tight and low for takeoff and landing
Documentation
Scan copies of passports, DL's, Birth/Marriage certificates for everyone, give one of each copy to your emergency contact, and email one of each to yourself. If you have a cell phone with a camera, take pictures of each
Children
Don't be afraid to ask for help if they need it. It's one time it's okay to talk to strangers! Most adults will willingly stop and help kids. (These are in the unlikely event of an emergency, separation from parents or CMs etc.)
Medical
Know the names (preferably generic) and doses of your medications.
If you have a chronic or serious medical condition, wear a Medic Alert Bracelet, dog tag, whatever. This should apply for anyone who is diabetic, epileptic, has cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, or allergies
Rough Seas
In the unlikely event that a ship encounters rough seas,
Remove all small objects from the desk, tables, night stands etc. Put them somewhere secure. Especially if you see them moving already. Put them low to the cabin floor. In a drawer, closet etc. This includes phones, wave phones, clocks, fans, etc.
Do what the crew tells you to. If they tell you to stay in your cabin, STAY IN YOUR CABIN. There’s a reason. They don’t want you getting hurt walking around the ship. This is not a cue to get up leave your cabin and go sleep in the Atrium. In the passageways, you wont know what way the ship may roll or pitch next which could lead to a fall, broken limbs, etc.
If you are in a balcony cabin, close the blinds/drapes and stay away from the glass. Just in case something breaks.
Limit the amount of your movement in the cabin to absolutely necessary.
General
In the unlikely event of an emergency, short of a fire, or collision, the general alarm may not sound right away until the Capt is informed by the appropriate crew members the severity of the issue. Do not panic and respond to any emergency pages made for crew.
Guest's would be instructed (most likely via the emergency paging system, speaker's in all Stateroom's, venues, general area's and deck's) to either return to their Stateroom or just stay put where ever they are.
Once whatever situation has been assessed and only then if necessary would the general alarm be sounded. In addition I would expect several message's instructing you to do certain thing's, walk don't run, go immediately to your assigned lifeboat station and the like.
Try to keep as calm as possible and even stop and listen to the announcements if necessary. They maybe telling you NOT to go to a certain area!
Do not go in search of other family members or people within your party. Go to the assigned lifeboat station and meet there.
If you are instructed to return to your Stateroom or are already in there, bring flat soled shoes, any medication and warm clothing along with your lifejacket.
In any emergency, go where the crew tells you. Go directly there. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, do not go back to your cabin unless told to do so. There are reasons that the crew will tell you to do things, and they may not have time to tell you that, sorry your cabins burning and the fire and water tight doors are closed nearby.
If you have kids, go where the crew tells you. The counselors will bring your kids to you. Don’t go running around the ship looking for them. It’s hard enough to pick 1 family out of a crowd, even harder if you’re a moving target.
Be prepared for anything and stay calm during everything. There's plenty of time to panic and become hysterical after it's all over and you're replaying it in your head!
Always meet at the muster station, don't go back to the stateroom, unless otherwise told to do so by the crew!! Your muster station is on your KTTW card so it will be easy to remember even if they are worried. If they are in the stateroom, go to the nearest stairs.
Do NOT use the ELEVATORS. They take too long and in the case of power failure, the last thing the crew needs is to rescue someone from the elevator. Use the stairs.
No pushing, fighting biting kicking and screaming in the stairs. In the end, it doesn’t help.
Try and keep a mental image of where you are on the ship at any given time. It could make the difference. Keep in mind, the closest exit, door or stairs may be behind you.
If you are on the stairs, after you get where you need to be, get off them and away from the landings. You won’t know if any of the crew needs them, or if others are coming down behind you.
The crew and officers, especially at Disney are VERY well trained. They are going to be your go to people for everything. So listen to their instructions.
The ship has emergency lighting that run's on batteries (locally and remotely) in the event of power failure. There is low level led lighting on all Guest staircases, emergency exits along with the exit signs. Fluorescent strips will be found in some of the crew area's you may be directed to use in an emergency.
Also if you can, to help another passenger who is having problems would be the proper thing to do, just a hand to hold or a little support could go a long way to help keep someone and traffic moving to the muster stations or open decks.
In your Cabin
There is a safety video on Channel 224 (check if this is the channel for all ships)
Close the door and read it. On the back is all of the information you will need in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Check your stateroom life preservers for amount and sizes.
Try your life vest on, make sure you tighten all the straps, and they are not flying around or trailing to be tripped over. If you are traveling with an infant, or need a different size, ask your stateroom host(ess). They can bring more.
Keep cell phone handy for a source of light.
Thoroughly educate your children, age appropriate of course, about what to do in the event of an emergency
Check your PFD’s (personal flotation device) (Life Jackets) Even though no longer required to bring to drill, TRY THEM ON, both for fit and to familiarize yourself with donning them.
Do remember, though, that you may NOT be able to return to a particular stateroom in an emergency. In passing, and as you greet various crewmembers at the beginning of your cruise, inquire politely as to locations of "alternate" PFD's
Discuss emergency situations with family. If you've never done a home assessment and emergency or fire planning with them, do one! Then they'll have some familiarity with what to do, and you can extrapolate that when on a ship. The time to plan is NOT when you're up to your neck in water
Fire
On the off chance there’s a fire somewhere, don’t go charging out of your cabin, and head on your way to the muster station or where ever you’ve been told. Stop. Check the cabin door with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, don’t open it. Call the security number and tell them where you are. Place wet towels under the door, and then back away from it.
If the door is cool (always always always use the back of your hand) open the door slowly, stay low and look into the hallway. If there is smoke, stay low, preferably on your hands and knees, and keep contact with the wall. Keep a shoulder or hand on it. If the smoke is too bad, don’t leave your cabin, call security and tell them where you are. Again place wet towels under your door.
Person Overboard/Person(s) in the water
If you see someone jump/fall overboard, boat in distress, etc.
Keep an eye them at all times. If one is near throw a life ring towards the person. Have someone nearby call a crew member to alert the bridge. But don’t take your eyes off of them if you can help it. It’s next to impossible to find them again.
Lifeboats/Muster Station
Once at your lifeboat station, keep as quiet as possible and listen to the CM's instructions.
You may not ever actually need to board the lifeboat as the situation may change and be brought under control.
If instructed to board the lifeboat, do so in an orderly manner. The boat needs to be loaded evenly, Stateroom number checked off so listen to the CM's and do as they say.
Unless you are on a TA crossing, you are only a few hours away from other ship's and vessels.
The lifeboats have emergency equipment and rations onboard, water and energy food bars along with flashlights, flares, mirrors for signaling etc.
Drill
Go to the drill.
Pay attention.
Ask questions.
Try on your life jacket.
Know where your muster station is.
Remember the crew is trained on emergency procedures. Listen to them.
Aircraft
Always know where your nearest exit is
Count the number of rows to your nearest exit
Listen to the safety announcement
Shoes on for takeoff and landing (if you have to evacuate its easier in shoes)
If you have to evacuate leave all carryons behind (if the aircraft is on fire you have a limited time to get out don’t let your purse slow you down)
Takeoff and landing always push all carryon’s under the seat in front of you, if you have to evacuate you don’t want anything to trip you
If you are sat at an emergency exit read the card and know how to open that exit window or door quickly
Know that in a smoke filled cabin the best air to breathe is at the armrest level so crouch down to evacuate
Wear your seatbelt anytime you are sat down (clear air turbulence can hit anytime....)
If you are in the aisle during turbulence find the nearest seat if it’s so bad that you are having difficulty standing and there’s no empty seats nearby then sit on the floor and hold on
Seatbelts should be worn tight and low for takeoff and landing
Documentation
Scan copies of passports, DL's, Birth/Marriage certificates for everyone, give one of each copy to your emergency contact, and email one of each to yourself. If you have a cell phone with a camera, take pictures of each
Children
Don't be afraid to ask for help if they need it. It's one time it's okay to talk to strangers! Most adults will willingly stop and help kids. (These are in the unlikely event of an emergency, separation from parents or CMs etc.)
Medical
Know the names (preferably generic) and doses of your medications.
If you have a chronic or serious medical condition, wear a Medic Alert Bracelet, dog tag, whatever. This should apply for anyone who is diabetic, epileptic, has cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, or allergies
Rough Seas
In the unlikely event that a ship encounters rough seas,
Remove all small objects from the desk, tables, night stands etc. Put them somewhere secure. Especially if you see them moving already. Put them low to the cabin floor. In a drawer, closet etc. This includes phones, wave phones, clocks, fans, etc.
Do what the crew tells you to. If they tell you to stay in your cabin, STAY IN YOUR CABIN. There’s a reason. They don’t want you getting hurt walking around the ship. This is not a cue to get up leave your cabin and go sleep in the Atrium. In the passageways, you wont know what way the ship may roll or pitch next which could lead to a fall, broken limbs, etc.
If you are in a balcony cabin, close the blinds/drapes and stay away from the glass. Just in case something breaks.
Limit the amount of your movement in the cabin to absolutely necessary.
Silly Little Pixie
<font color=blue>My name is Inigo Montoya. You kil
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Excellent, Truck1! Thank you.
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HiCValeriePlus3
Earning My Ears
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Thanks. My friends laughed at me that I owned every worse case scenario book out there. But since we were all pilots, they of all people, should have understood my ability to feel safe was imbedded in my need to feel prepared!
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