Lifeboat Drill Question

[Carnevale]

We will be travelling with a family group one of whom is older and has some mobility challenges (uses a walker). That person is in a part of the ship where she will likely be at a lifeboat station that none of the rest of our group are assigned to (just guessing, but as the life boats seem to cluster people from groups of staterooms this is what I'm expecting but let me know if that might be wrong).

 

What I'm wondering is whether I can go with her to her lifeboat station and have my DH check me in at our lifeboat? Or??

 

Any suggestions on how best to support her and still comply with the lifeboat drill requirements will be great to get. Thanks fellow CCers!

[cb at sea]

Everyone goes to their own station. If someone needs assistance, tell them in advance...it will be provided.

[Sir PMP]

You'll see in your cabin (on the door) what lifeboat nr. she has, and she needs to show up, otherwise she won't go, you can go with her and have your husband check you in, but I would inform the officer on life boat duty about that.

[jtl513]

You can go with her. They call out cabin numbers, and as long as one "here" is shouted out both occupants are checked off. But, as Sir PMP said, it might be a good idea to tell the boat officer about it.

Edited August 14, 2015 by jtl513

[Got2Cruise]

If this person is unable to help herself during a drill, what will she do if there is an actual emergency? Will she be able to get out and to the muster station? It states in the cruise contract that disabled need to have companions to assist them if necessary.

[sail7seas]

Your key card when you check in will have your lifeboat number.

 

IF she is at a different life boat station, by all means inform the front office as they maintain a list of guests who may need assistance in the event of an emergency. When you tell them about this lady, they will advise how she should handle life boat drill.

 

It is not a good idea for you to decide for yourself to appear at a station other than where assigned.

 

There has been some conversation about ships getting scanners where guests will swipe their card to show they are in attendance. Guests who do not comply with life boat drill instructions to appear, can (and have been) be put off the ship. Don't risk misunderstanding, IMO

 

Edited August 14, 2015 by sail7seas

[Krazy Kruizers]

Zuiderdam is one of the ships where each person scans their ID card at their lifeboat station.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Zuiderdam is one of the ships where each person scans their ID card at their lifeboat station.

 

That is so much better than all the yelling of numbers and "here!" that they have now.

 

Do stewards do a cabin sweep during the drill?

[RuthC]

OP, the first thing I would do would be to check to see if anyone else is assigned to the same lifeboat as the disabled person. If so, that pretty much solves the problem.

Lifeboat assignments are vertical, based on location of cabin on the ship.

 

If you are correct that the disabled person is the only one in your party assigned to a given lifeboat (maybe even if they aren't), I would have that person report to the nurse in the Atrium and do the muster there, seated.

Everyone else can then report to their assigned stations, and come back to the Atrium to meet up with that one person at the end of the drill. Anyone who has to move slowly gets used to waiting when crowds disperse, to this would work.

[frankc98376]

That is so much better than all the yelling of numbers and "here!" that they have now.

 

Do stewards do a cabin sweep during the drill?

 

There is a full sweep of the ship during the drill- every cabin.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Yes they check the cabins, etc.

I remember one time when a teenage girl was escorted to our lifeboat station by an officer and she didn't seem to happy. She was in her cabin.

[S&M in Pgh]

If she is in a disabled cabin she may not have to go. I have seen this vary ship to ship. The cabin stewerd has told me to just stay in the cabin and listen to the announcements on the TV and that my wife had to go to the station. I would ask someone once you are on board the ship.

 

Mike

[DocF]

As usual, Ruth C has some good suggestions. An early trip to guest services (purser's desk) would be wise, IMHO.

[cavcmy]

Are the emergency drill stations on the Eurodam outside on deck or at various locations inside? Do you carry life jacket with you? Thanks much.

[cruz chic]

Are the emergency drill stations on the Eurodam outside on deck or at various locations inside? Do you carry life jacket with you? Thanks much.

 

Yes, outside. You don't not take your life vest.

[frankc98376]

Let's not forget the famous PS guests that were escorted off of the ship because they felt they were too important to attend the drill.

[Hawkeye1946]

Last Spring on the Veendam, Guest Services advised me to check in at the muster station and then go sit in the Atrium during the drill...which I did. I am not disabled, but cannot stand for long periods.

I wish HAL would do what Celebrity does....have passengers go to various indoor venues with seating, then demonstrations are given.

Sue

[RuthC]

I wish HAL would do what Celebrity does....have passengers go to various indoor venues with seating, then demonstrations are given.

Most HAL ships don't have public spaces near the lifeboats in which to hold drills.

 

Since passengers are directed to their cabins in case of emergency, and will be sent to their boats when it's been decided to evacuate, that is the logical place for passengers to meet during a drill.

You wouldn't want to climb several decks, possibly right past the deck with the lifeboats, to get to the Crow's Nest in an emergency just to meet, then head back down again.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Yes they check the cabins, etc.

I remember one time when a teenage girl was escorted to our lifeboat station by an officer and she didn't seem to happy. She was in her cabin.

 

I wonder why her parents didn't make her go to the drill? I hope the officer had a word with them after the drill. I do not understand this "game" of avoiding the drill.

 

 

Let's not forget the famous PS guests that were escorted off of the ship because they felt they were too important to attend the drill.

 

Ouch! That's a lot of money thrown overboard. Perhaps they misunderstood and expected "room service," with an officer doing the drill privately with them on their veranda?

[DeeniEncinitas]

Your key card when you check in will have your lifeboat number.

 

IF she is at a different life boat station, by all means inform the front office as they maintain a list of guests who may need assistance in the event of an emergency. When you tell them about this lady, they will advise how she should handle life boat drill.

 

It is not a good idea for you to decide for yourself to appear at a station other than where assigned.

 

There has been some conversation about ships getting scanners where guests will swipe their card to show they are in attendance. Guests who do not comply with life boat drill instructions to appear, can (and have been) be put off the ship. Don't risk misunderstanding, IMO

 

 

 

I agree with Sails!

Denise:)

[sail7seas]

Most HAL ships don't have public spaces near the lifeboats in which to hold drills.

 

Since passengers are directed to their cabins in case of emergency, and will be sent to their boats when it's been decided to evacuate, that is the logical place for passengers to meet during a drill.

You wouldn't want to climb several decks, possibly right past the deck with the lifeboats, to get to the Crow's Nest in an emergency just to meet, then head back down again.

 

On my recent NCL cruise, my emergency meeting place was the main show lounge.

 

 

I wonder why her parents didn't make her go to the drill? I hope the officer had a word with them after the drill. I do not understand this "game" of avoiding the drill.

 

I agree. Where were her parents/guardians ... the adults with whom she traveled?

 

 

3rdGenCunarder

 

 

 

Ouch! That's a lot of money thrown overboard. Perhaps they misunderstood and expected "room service," with an officer doing the drill privately with them on their veranda?

 

:D :D Talk about 'entitled'.

Edited August 14, 2015 by sail7seas

[RuthC]

On my recent NCL cruise, my emergency meeting place was the main show lounge.

Was that on the same deck (+/- one) as the boats would be loaded from in case of evacuation?

If so, then meeting inside wouldn't bring additional concerns, as it would on most HAL ships.

[sail7seas]

Truth be told, I don't know.

I don't have a deck plan handy at the moment to look.

[dakrewser]

Was that on the same deck (+/- one) as the boats would be loaded from in case of evacuation?

If so, then meeting inside wouldn't bring additional concerns, as it would on most HAL ships.

 

When we've been on X, the meeting could be anywhere. You're told that a crew member will then lead you to the boats. But not where that boat might be!

[RuthC]

When we've been on X, the meeting could be anywhere. You're told that a crew member will then lead you to the boats. But not where that boat might be!

I would find it very upsetting if I weren't mustering on the same deck as my lifeboat. I want to be as close as possible to that boat when I muster, and am in no condition to be going far to get to it. I certainly can't be going up or down stairs! Being on the same deck is essential to those of us with mobility problems.

 

We mustered indoors on the Riviera, but that wasn't a problem for anyone. There was room on the evacuation deck for everyone, and there were several emergency doorways to the outside, where the boats would be lowered. In fact, there was no place where passengers could muster outside if they wanted to!

That ship was built in such a way that mustering indoors was easy. Most HAL ships, however, are not.