Checking Out Your Life Boat Mates

[barante]

I try to spot the unfriendliest-looking leader type passenger in the lifeboat drill lineup. Then I tip him, as one is supposed to pre-tip a maitre d'. With his palm greased, the latter is supposed to see to good table servie; the former is tipped so he won't throw my wife and me overboard.

[ldubs]

Odds are it will never be needed, but being aware as the OP suggests is a very good idea. Should a serious emergency happen, you can count on confusion and panic. Also keep in mind that many passengers have mobility issues and many more are not as spry as they used to be (I know I can't do things I could do 10 years ago). I think it likely that passengers would need to step forward.

[Elaine5715]

I always look around to determine which ones look more edible........

......just in case.......

 

Me, too!

[sleepless]

I don't, but I am sure my DH does. He always checks for emergency exits, etc. He is very detailed, and a former Army Officer. I am sure he checks out the people to see who would need help, and just as important - those who may have the potential to cause a problem.

[leaveitallbehind]

20-30 lifeboats would require 20-30 qualified coxswains to have one per boat. To have any more than that would require the ship to carry 40-60 qualified boat handlers --- are you kidding?

 

It was only a supposition in which I said "I would think" - not that "I know". That being said I've witnessed enough lifeboat drills on board in port to see all the lifeboats on one side lowered and maneuvered around and then recovered. Certainly someone "qualified" enough to handle them was at the helm.

 

I don't profess to know the level of expertise required by the Coast Guard and the cruise lines to handle a lifeboat in an emergency, but it would surprise me if they were waiters and bartenders. And with a vessel such as Oasis / Allure with over 2,000 crew it would not seem a stretch to me to have the 40 - 60 qualified boat handlers you refer to on board.

 

If you are qualified to confirm otherwise, then I defer to your knowledge - as I said I don't profess any specific expertise regarding this. Again, it was only my supposition based on the thought that in an emergency there would be enough qualified boat handlers other than service crew (unless they are in fact trained as such) on board to operate the lifeboats.

Edited January 9, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[SuitCaseBears]

Don't know that it is odd or not, but not something I have ever done - or ever would do for that matter. I guess that will occur naturally should there ever be a situation that would arise, but I would also rely on the crew members to take control of any situation. Keep in mind each life boat also has crew on board for just that reason. And honestly I would prefer to follow the direction of the trained crew than to look to random passengers to take charge.

 

I know there's a crew member. When you muster at the lifeboat you get to see your crew member. But I also know group dynamics and emergency situations, and while I would hope everyone will listen to the crew's instructions, there are always people who step up and help out, people who panic, people who are good eggs but physically need help etc.

 

That's what I think about.

[SuitCaseBears]

You really don't know who is going to be in your particular boat. When you get mustered to your station, at least on Princess you get seated by when you arrive. Should the need arise to go to the boats the staff direct you by row to the next available boat assigned to your muster station.

 

On HAL you muster at your lifeboat WITH your assigned crew member who will be in charge of your life boat and with the other people assigned to that boat. I kind of like knowing exactly where we'd have to gather.

 

I don't think your concept odd at all and agree that you have exceptional situational awarness. Something you learn very quickly in the army when deployed to somewhat hostile foreign lands.

 

Never been deployed but my husband calls my way of even packing for a cruise my "invasion of Normandy" mode. Maybe I missed a calling:)

[SuitCaseBears]

 

Originally Posted by luddite

I always look around to determine which ones look more edible........

......just in case.......

 

With or without Grey Poupon? I guess people aren't entirely wrong by calling it a "mustard" drill.:rolleyes::D

 

:D OK Now I'm going to giggle like mad during Mustard drill. And people will think "short, chubby, probably insane, she's gotta be the first one we BBQ."

[SuitCaseBears]

We were on the gang-way, at embarkation. Ahead of us was a petite female crew member, pushing a large man in a wheelchair. She got stuck at the top of the ramp, and the wheelchair started to slip backwards. A tall, strong-looking passenger near us saw what was happening -- and jumped forward to assist the poor girl and the helpless, frightened, wheelchair occupant. Later that day, we ran into the Good Samaritan at the muster drill. I told him that, if anything happened, we wanted him in our lifeboat! :cool:;)

 

This is exactly the spirit of what I was talking about. I never thought the crew wouldn't (a) be totally competent; (b) be in charge; and © have things under control.

 

But even then, as someone else said - someone who's level headed in an emergency is always going to be helpful.

 

Even when I've been on a subway that stalled, there are always people who step up to help out, not to take over command, but to help the crew help the passengers.

[Lerin]

No, because you can't predict how people will act in an emergency.

 

That big rough and tough guy may turn into a cowering baby when in the face of danger.

 

In a true emergency a lot of people probably aren't going to go to their assigned lifeboat anyway.

[MtnBikerFallDown]

:D OK Now I'm going to giggle like mad during Mustard drill. And people will think "short, chubby, probably insane, she's gotta be the first one we BBQ."

 

You made me snort laugh this morning!!! I needed that!

 

Nah, I figure if we're funny, they'll keep us a live for comic relief, in case we're out there a long time. Right?!

[sail7seas]

I have nothing factual to dispute this other than to say that the lifeboats plus assigned lead crew are exclusive to the passengers use. The general crew would use the life rafts that are in the large white canisters around the ship. Based on that I would think that each crew assigned to the lifeboats would be more staff-type v. service crew. Keep in mind there are only about 20 -30 lifeboats (depending on ship) - I would think there would be enough "qualified" staff to man those with the passengers.

 

 

Absolutelly life boat commanders may be dining room stewards or bar tenders. We know many of the service crew from sailing HAL so many times and we have had occasions when a favorite bartender from a previous cruise was our lifeboat commander on a subsequent one. Obviously, they receive continual training and drill often.

 

[SuitCaseBears]

You made me snort laugh this morning!!! I needed that!

 

Nah, I figure if we're funny, they'll keep us a live for comic relief, in case we're out there a long time. Right?!

 

Emily

 

I love how you think.

 

Nina

[leaveitallbehind]

Absolutelly life boat commanders may be dining room stewards or bar tenders. We know many of the service crew from sailing HAL so many times and we have had occasions when a favorite bartender from a previous cruise was our lifeboat commander on a subsequent one. Obviously, they receive continual training and drill often.

 

 

If they receive continual training and drill often, then they would be qualified boat handlers, which was my point all along - that each boat would have at the helm what I only described as a qualified boat handler.

 

I know all crew are competently trained for emergencies and can assist in many areas during an emergency - including help staff the lifeboats. I just didn't expect the lifeboat helmsmen to be comprised of wait staff and bartenders To that, I remain somewhat surprised, but stand corrected.

[ducklite]

My husband is a first responder, and I've got a natural ability to "herd cats." Between us, I'm not worried, as we are very good at dealing with emergencies, and (regretfully) have had to do so in the past.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

[ehfl]

I guess it's not too creepy....as long as you're not sizing them up for a meal should rations run low...I wouldn't want to be aboard a lifeboat with the Donner party.

 

This may be an odd question - or I just may be very odd... but...

you're in a safety drill where you go to your muster station with everyone else who'll be on your life boat if you ever need to abandon ship, do you check out your potential life boat mates?

 

I always look around to see who and how many people might need extra help, and who looks strong enough to help. I look around to see if there are people who look like they might step up and be helpful to the crew, or who might become one of those unofficial leaders who seem to emerge in emergencies.

 

I know you can't tell from just looking at people (I probably look like a little old lady who might need some help) and that even if you could, emergencies change people: ditzy people become focused and organized, pushy people hang back or visa versa.

 

But does anyone else study your potential life boat mates? Or did I just admit to something really really odd?

[Happy ks]

No, because you can't predict how people will act in an emergency.

 

That big rough and tough guy may turn into a cowering baby when in the face of danger.

 

In a true emergency a lot of people probably aren't going to go to their assigned lifeboat anyway.

 

I think most people panic when there is a state of emergency. I've never considered the people around me as helpers or a hindrance at an emergency drill on a ship, nor would I. Fortunately, all crew, even the entertainment staff, is trained to herd people in as calm a fashion as they can.

 

I've dealt with enough emergency situations that, although I don't know how to handle everything, I do know to stay calm and quiet, look around and assess the situation and follow the lead of the designated person in charge. Running, screaming and making up a plan when you don't know what you're dealing with just adds to to the confusion and can make a bad situation worse. Paying attention at the beginning of the cruise, even just knowing where your muster station is and how to get there, will solve most of the emergency for you.

[okgirl]

Oh, Don, only you could come up with that funny comment! :D

 

Seriously, on Princess and some other cruise lines we go to our muster stations but have no idea of exactly which lifeboat we'll be assigned.

 

LuLu

~~~~

 

Same way on Carnival. In fact when they start telling you what lifeboats and life rafts will be used they are just making kind of a generalized statement along the lines of......."Muster stations A,C,E,F and G will use lifeboats 1,3,5,7 and 9 and life rafts 11,13,15,......"

 

I've always assumed that you are directed to go to the lifeboat on the side of the ship that your muster station is on and is currently being filled rather than all boats being filled simultaneously.

 

I think they will have plenty of official crew members present to direct and assist passengers in an orderly fashion. I don't want, nor do I think under those circumstances that Carnival would want any assistance from the guests other than to remain calm and follow their instructions.

[jeph]

I can only imagine how people might size me up. On the one hand, I'm a fairly tall slim guy and I keep fit.

 

On the other hand, I'm the idiot in the back row, who, when the crew for that lifeboat station asks if anyone has any questions, has been known to put on his best "little Jewish mother" voice and ask, "Does this lifejacket make me look fat?"

[navybankerteacher]

If they receive continual training and drill often, then they would be qualified boat handlers, which was my point all along - that each boat would have at the helm what I only described as a qualified boat handler.

 

I know all crew are competently trained for emergencies and can assist in many areas during an emergency - including help staff the lifeboats. I just didn't expect the lifeboat helmsmen to be comprised of wait staff and bartenders To that, I remain somewhat surprised, but stand corrected.

 

I am reasonably confident that the crew members assigned as lifeboat coxswain so would have been trained as such - but given the staffing realities o cruise ships I would doubt that there would be the necessary twenty or so whose primary function would be as able seamen or bosuns. There is no reason why a bar tender or waiter could not be sufficiently trained to be able to perform in such function as a collateral duty --- just as on a number of ships the emergency procedures ( donning of life preservers, etc.) instruction is carried out by dancers, other entertainers, or members of cruise director staff.

 

Of course, when push comes to shove, even able seamen (and, as was shown on board Costa Concordia) or possibly even ships officers might let the ball drop in a true emergency.

 

So, OP made a good observation - if you are contemplating emergency situations (as you do during a muster drill) it surely does make sense to contemplate the possible necessity of passengers stepping forward.

[ldubs]

Same way on Carnival. In fact when they start telling you what lifeboats and life rafts will be used they are just making kind of a generalized statement along the lines of......."Muster stations A,C,E,F and G will use lifeboats 1,3,5,7 and 9 and life rafts 11,13,15,......"

 

I've always assumed that you are directed to go to the lifeboat on the side of the ship that your muster station is on and is currently being filled rather than all boats being filled simultaneously.

 

I think they will have plenty of official crew members present to direct and assist passengers in an orderly fashion. I don't want, nor do I think under those circumstances that Carnival would want any assistance from the guests other than to remain calm and follow their instructions.

 

That may be the plan, but remember the number of passengers, the number of crew, all of the things that can and likely will go wrong. I don't want to sound like I'm preaching doom, but the reality is not likely what you hope.

[Kathie44]

I can't even imagine worrying about it. The muster stations on Celebrity are not on the deck by the lifeboats anymore. They are in the lounges, casino, theater and other places with seats, if you get there early enough to snag one. Even if we had to use a life boat we wouldn't have a choice, so why worry about it?

I'll be sailing on my 16th cruise on Jan. 26th and lifeboat companions are not on my list.

[RikkuCat]

I always look around to determine which ones look more edible........

......just in case.......

 

We always joke about which person we'd eat first if it came to it. Usually the most annoying person. ;)

[bus man]

This thread reminded me of a novel by Margaret Banning named "Lifeboat Number Two." IIRC, it's about the goings-on of a group of people who first meet at their muster drill.

 

As for checking out your fellow passengers, I've never done it, but I applaud the OP's situational awareness.

[Mytime2014]

This may be an odd question - or I just may be very odd... but...

 

If you're in a safety drill where you go to your muster station with everyone else who'll be on your life boat if you ever need to abandon ship, do you check out your potential life boat mates?

 

I always look around to see who and how many people might need extra help, and who looks strong enough to help. I look around to see if there are people who look like they might step up and be helpful to the crew, or who might become one of those unofficial leaders who seem to emerge in emergencies.

 

I know you can't tell from just looking at people (I probably look like a little old lady who might need some help) and that even if you could, emergencies change people: ditzy people become focused and organized, pushy people hang back or visa versa.

 

But does anyone else study your potential life boat mates? Or did I just admit to something really really odd?

 

 

I do it! - an old ER nurse. I do it on planes and in church services where I bring the median age to around 70. And yes, I know younger people can have a heart attack

....