Life boat drill question-recent cruiser

[sweet sheep]

The life boat drill is my least favorite thing to do but it is very necessary and important and it is the law.

I heard a rumor but am not sure, that they are not requiring you to take or wear your life jacket during the drill:eek: I hope that is not true as that could be very dangerous if it were ever needed for a real problem!

As I said i am always glad when it is over and we can finally relax and have fun.

I have seen on past cruises, so many people who could not even put them on correctly which is hard to understand because it is not that hard to do! Can you imagine the extra panic if we needed them in a hurry.:confused:

Happy cruising everybody.

[sue1898]

On th 3 day Ryndam cruise to no where last weekend we were told NOT to bring our life jackets and they did NOT take roll. Entire process took under 10 minutes.

[taxmantoo]

I heard a rumor but am not sure, that they are not requiring you to take or wear your life jacket during the drill:eek: I hope that is not true as that could be very dangerous if it were ever needed for a real problem!

 

 

It is not a rumor... The life vest stays in the closet while you go to your assigned muster station. Tha's the way they did it on the Westerdam in January.

[Boytjie]

We did the drills on the Eurodam on February 13th and without the life vests or roll call. It goes a lot faster.

 

You put the new vests on as if it was a jacket.

[DoorCounty]

We were just on the Noordam 2/13-2/23 & wearing the life jackets were not required. Reason for the change was because too many people were tripping on trailing straps & they had people falling. Instructions on how to properly put them on are on the back of your door as well as on H-A channel on your TV. Its not that hard & I don't see one of those boats going down in "minutes."

[sail7seas]

On our November Westerdam cruise and our February Eurodam cruises, we were told to not bring our life jackets to the drill.

 

As written above, directions on how to put on are on the back of cabin doors and demonstrated at life boat drill.

 

 

 

[gregdude]

On Oasis of the Seas, the new 6000 passenger RCCL ship, they don't even have life jackets in the cabins they are at the boat stations instead. Wearing life jackets to the boat drill was a very old requirement that finally someone thought through and came up with a logical conclusion. How many times have you put on an oxygen mask while flying? If you need that mask your going to need it a lot faster than you will ever need a life jacket on a cruise ship!

[Copper10-8]

Probably a risk management issue (pax taking the vests off and them, or others, tripping over the trailing straps). It's a mistake, IMO but it's one of those "rock and hard place" issues. Think back to past drills where the vests were required and the amount of pax who had no clue how to properly put one on (inside out; arms not through the straps; straps not secured properly, etc.)

Until the company get's the "clip on" vests that are on Eurodam, on all ships, this will always remain a problem! If the big one hits onboard somewhere, stand by for lots of panicked pax running around aimlessly

[innlady1]

Probably a risk management issue (pax taking the vests off and them, or others, tripping over the trailing straps). It's a mistake, IMO but it's one of those "rock and hard place" issues. Think back to past drills where the vests were required and the amount of pax who had no clue how to properly put one on (inside out; arms not through the straps; straps not secured properly, etc.)

 

Until the company get's the "clip on" vests that are on Eurodam, on all ships, this will always remain a problem! If the big one hits onboard somewhere, stand by for lots of panicked pax running around aimlessly

 

I agree, Copper. I was surprised that they've given up taking the roll call. We did the b2b...and I called the front office at the beginning of the 2nd cruise and asked if we were required to go since we'd already done it 10 days prior. The answer was no.

[bermuda triangle]

On Princess they don't take roll call as they have equipment which can tell if someone is in their cabin when supposed to be at a muster drill. Maybe HAL has the same? I believe it is heat sensor (if I recall from the Ultimate Ships tour).

Now as far as the life vests not being used..I think this is a HUGE mistake as others have mentioned.

How many people have them on upside down, backward, straps wrapped everywhich way?? Is it really smart for people to not learn how to correctly wear them??

Laura

[igraf]

I would say that the real problem is that the older life jackets are badly designed. I should not have to practice putting on the life jacket in a calm situation, let alone a panic situation. If the passengers are clueless, then I blame the life jacket more than the passenger.

 

No different than when flying an aircraft. I have never actually practiced putting on the oxygen mask, sliding down the door chute, using my seat cushion for flotation or setting up the liferaft.

 

igraf

 

 

 

Probably a risk management issue (pax taking the vests off and them, or others, tripping over the trailing straps). It's a mistake, IMO but it's one of those "rock and hard place" issues. Think back to past drills where the vests were required and the amount of pax who had no clue how to properly put one on (inside out; arms not through the straps; straps not secured properly, etc.)

 

Until the company get's the "clip on" vests that are on Eurodam, on all ships, this will always remain a problem! If the big one hits onboard somewhere, stand by for lots of panicked pax running around aimlessly

[Copper10-8]

I would say that the real problem is that the older life jackets are badly designed. I should not have to practice putting on the life jacket in a calm situation, let alone a panic situation. If the passengers are clueless, then I blame the life jacket more than the passenger.

 

No different than when flying an aircraft. I have never actually practiced putting on the oxygen mask, sliding down the door chute, using my seat cushion for flotation or setting up the liferaft.

 

igraf

 

Sometimes, you have to be smarter than your life jacket!

 

How to properly put on a life jacket usng available options?

1. Watch channel 26 of your in-cabin TV for a show and tell

2. Open "From the Captain" booklet to Page 10

2A Follow illustrated step by step instructions

3. Follow directions on inside of cabin door

4. Follow "show and tell" by lifeboat assistants

Still don't know?

Life Jacket - 1

Passenger - O

Bad Lifejacket! Back in the closet!:cool:

[Harry1954]

We just got off a Caribbean cruise on the Noordam and during life-boat drill they required us to raise our hands and swear that when we got back to our cabin we would take turns putting on and taking off properly the life jacket as they had instructed us. DW and I refused to do this and were overheard by a crewmember explaining to some others why .. we were forced to go to the purser's office where they dressed us down and then made us demonstrate we could actually put on the vests properly!

nah ..

harry

[HeatherInFlorida]

I'm disappointed that we are no longer required to wear the life jackets to the drill and that they're no longer taking the roll call. I hate it, too, but it's absolutely necessary and should not be approached casually. It's a big ocean out there and stuff happens. Just learning how to get to your station isn't enough.

 

So as Copper suggests, it's wise for everyone to acquaint themselves with how to put on the life jacket just in case. Just because they don't require us to do this doesn't take away our responsibility for our own well being.

[jtl513]

We just got off ... nah ..

harry

You had me until the last word! :p

[galipemi]

Here's the thing though. They actually train the HAL crew to assume that 20-30% of passengers will assemble at stations in an orderly manner, another 10-20% will panick and have no idea where they're going or what they're supposed to be doing and the rest, they do nothing at all. It's almost ridiculous. They're taught how to convince people that they need to leave the bar or casino. You name it.

 

Having worked with the general public for over 10 years, I have to say, as a group or crowd, people don't think so well. In a true emergency situation, your brain just doesn't reason as well. You panic. I was onboard once when the fire alarm went off at 4am. Even though I've been trained repeatedly on the difference between the fire and abandon ship alarms, when that sucker wakes you up, you're already half way across the room gathering warm clothing by the time you figure it's fire.

 

Now, some passengers will remain calm and will be fine, and I feel like the majority of them will be frequent cruisers and from this website. But think back to some of the truly boneheaded moments and guests you've seen onboard cruise ships (any of them). Do you really think they will remember where their life vest is and how to put it on? No matter how many times they're shown?

 

Even in a non-emergency situation, haven't you seen people turned away from boat drill because they didn't bring their life vests, or how about the ones who ignore all the written and verbal warnings not to undo their straps because of the tripping hazard?

 

I think this new boat drill will be just as effective as the old. That is to say, here's hoping it'll never have to be used because some people will always be hopeless.

[sweet sheep]

Very good response and I agree with what you posted. You are correct.

I really enjoy reading posts that are informative and not bias and not all jokes instead of answering the questions asked in the beginning.

I really enjoy this web site and the opportunity to ask and receive and give answers myself.:)

Many thanks,:)

[RevNeal]

I am really quite mixed over the issue.

Personally, I've always thought that it was important to do two things in a life boat drill:

 

1. Actually GO TO THE LIFEBOAT where one will be disembarking the ship in the event of an "Abandon Ship!" emergency.

 

2. Actually put on that dreaded life jacket.

 

Now, keep in mind that there are life jackets (1) in your cabin, (2) in each and every life boat/tender, (3) in closest and contains along the promenade deck. Hence, bringing one from your cabin isn't the only way to do this. Also, instruction on how to put one on is critical. Few people pay attention to the video or read any of the directions. Hence, we see a large number of folk who don't know how to put one on! Having a live demonstration right in front of you, followed by everybody putting one one, would be THE WAY to go, in my opinion. So, why not have the Line dispense life jackets to people as they arrive at their station, demonstrating the process of putting one on, and then have them put their own on while stewards watched and helped those who were having problems?

 

Time ... I know ... it would take time. But, it would make more sense than even the prior way of doing life-boat drill.

 

Again, I'm torn over this whole matter. At least we still go to our life boat stations.

[serendipity1499]

The life boat drill is my least favorite thing to do but it is very necessary and important and it is the law.

 

I heard a rumor but am not sure, that they are not requiring you to take or wear your life jacket during the drill:eek: I hope that is not true as that could be very dangerous if it were ever needed for a real problem!

 

As I said i am always glad when it is over and we can finally relax and have fun.

 

I have seen on past cruises, so many people who could not even put them on correctly which is hard to understand because it is not that hard to do! Can you imagine the extra panic if we needed them in a hurry.:confused:

 

Happy cruising everybody.

 

There have been several threads in the past month re this new rule..I posted this on the following thread:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1143087&highlight=life+jackets

Quote I don't believe it's for psgrs comfort..I think it's for psgrs. Safety..It also makes sense to me now..On our Statendam cruise this past Nov. we were returning to our cabins with life jackets on & going down the steps..I had just stepped onto the first landing & turned to go down the second staircase, when a gentleman behind me fell down the entire flight of steps & hit his head hard on the landing next to me.. His legs were up the staircase & his head was on the landing..Believe he was in shock, as he was not responsive even though his eyes were open....Our Friends DH & a couple of other men went to help him up..I yelled to them.."Don't move him! It's best to wait for the emergency crew", as was afraid if he had something broken, that moving him would cause a more serious injury..We then cleared the area for the emergency crew..Later we asked our Stewards if he was OK, but they apparently did not know...

 

 

I am really quite mixed over the issue.

Personally, I've always thought that it was important to do two things in a life boat drill:

 

1. Actually GO TO THE LIFEBOAT where one will be disembarking the ship in the event of an "Abandon Ship!" emergency.

 

2. Actually put on that dreaded life jacket.

 

Now, keep in mind that there are life jackets (1) in your cabin, (2) in each and every life boat/tender, (3) in closest and contains along the promenade deck. Hence, bringing one from your cabin isn't the only way to do this. Also, instruction on how to put one on is critical. Few people pay attention to the video or read any of the directions. Hence, we see a large number of folk who don't know how to put one on! Having a live demonstration right in front of you, followed by everybody putting one one, would be THE WAY to go, in my opinion. So, why not have the Line dispense life jackets to people as they arrive at their station, demonstrating the process of putting one on, and then have them put their own on while stewards watched and helped those who were having problems?

 

Time ... I know ... it would take time. But, it would make more sense than even the prior way of doing life-boat drill.

 

Again, I'm torn over this whole matter. At least we still go to our life boat stations.

 

I feel the same way Greg..I'm still ambivalent about this also..But after witnessing the accident I understand the reasoning..We never found out how this man was..In my memory, I still hear his head hitting the floor beside me & see him out of it, on his back with his legs still up the stairs..It was quite frightening..

Your idea might be a good one, but there are many elderly psgrs on HAL, who would not be able to stand in the sun or even the cold for that length of time..HAL would probably have to make arrangements for them, to sit somewhere while they are taught to put their jackets on....

 

I'm only 5 .Ft tall & can't see over my life jacket to go down the stairs..I'm very cautious when descending the stairs, as I fell & sprained both ankles two years ago! (Yep two of them) The ER Dr said I was very fortunate not to have broken one of them or even my hip..Had to stay off my feet for almost 8 weeks..Since then have had recurring back problems.. I'm sure people behind me probably get quite annoyed with the slow-poke in front of them..

Have heard that the Eurodam has the new clip on only, life jackets..That actually would be the best solution, however imagine it would be very expensive to replace all of them on all HAL's ships..Most likely will take quite a few years to replace them all....

Betty

[KAYEF]

It's my least favorite thing.................and when I take people new to cruising on a cruise I tell them that BUT once it's over that "the worst is behind you" and I laugh.

Now, my thoughts go to......................

this is a loss of fun photo ops........:D

[HeatherInFlorida]

...........

 

Again, I'm torn over this whole matter. At least we still go to our life boat stations.

 

I understand what you're saying. However, I think if I were on one cruise where there was actually a major emergency, I'd be glad I had the drill:).

 

I wish I could remember the line, but I have been on cruises where we did not go to the actual station. We gathered in a public room. I never quite got how this was much of a drill.

 

It's my least favorite thing.................and when I take people new to cruising on a cruise I tell them that BUT once it's over that "the worst is behind you" and I laugh.

.................:D

 

..........with the caveat that at least you HOPE the worst is behind you!!!!;)

[RevNeal]

I understand what you're saying. However, I think if I were on one cruise where there was actually a major emergency, I'd be glad I had the drill:).

 

Totally agreed.

They need to continue with the drill, at the site of the life boat, and I wish they would go back to the life jackets ... if not hand them out at the life boat station and teach people how to put them on, then replace all those that have straps with those that buckle on ... like on the Eurodam. Those are nice and people don't trip. AND, people could CARRY THEM to their station and put them on quickly when shown how to do so by stewards.

 

Sadly, it would also cost money. HAL doesn't want to spend money.

 

 

PS ... love the Avatar of you and your cute puppy!

[jtl513]

I understand what you're saying. However, I think if I were on one cruise where there was actually a major emergency, I'd be glad I had the drill:).

We had a case of a smoke alarm and smoke in our cabin on the Noordam early one morning, and crew were going down the hall banging on doors to make sure everyone was getting up and getting out. The one that banged on our door said we didn't need to wear or bring the life jackets, but when we got to the stair landing a different crew person told us to go back and get them! So much for practice. :eek: (It turned out to be just an overheated HVAC bearing, and in 45 min or so we were back in the room, airing it out.)

I wish I could remember the line, but I have been on cruises where we did not go to the actual station. We gathered in a public room. I never quite got how this was much of a drill.

We had that on our one RCCL cruise. It was mostly a social gathering without drinks. :rolleyes:

[kakalina]

" When in danger or in doubt, run in circles; scream and shout"

[Copper10-8]

" When in danger or in doubt, run in circles; scream and shout"

 

The Beatles - I like it!:)

 

 

Never mind, that was "Twist and Shout"