Muster Drill Protocol

[zelker]

Embarking in just over 3 weeks.  How does Viking do muster drills?  Do we watch a short video on our stateroom TV, then go to our lifeboat and sign in with a crew member so we know where it is (like I've read many lines are doing now) or will they have us meet en masse by our lifeboats for the entire schpiel?

[TayanaLorna]

53 minutes ago, zelker said:

Embarking in just over 3 weeks.  How does Viking do muster drills?  Do we watch a short video on our stateroom TV, then go to our lifeboat and sign in with a crew member so we know where it is (like I've read many lines are doing now) or will they have us meet en masse by our lifeboats for the entire schpiel?

In July we had a private demonstration of lift jacket wearing shortly after embarkation.  Then we went to our stateroom where our room steward insisted that we immediately watch the safety video.  At the end we had to confirm that we watched it.  That's it.  No multi person crowded muster.

[zelker]

28 minutes ago, TayanaLorna said:

In July we had a private demonstration of lift jacket wearing shortly after embarkation.  Then we went to our stateroom where our room steward insisted that we immediately watch the safety video.  At the end we had to confirm that we watched it.  That's it.  No multi person crowded muster.

Thanks.  So who did the presentation and where?

[TayanaLorna]

33 minutes ago, zelker said:

Thanks.  So who did the presentation and where?

A crew member.  Think it was by the Star Theatre.

[Heidi13]

2 hours ago, zelker said:

Embarking in just over 3 weeks.  How does Viking do muster drills?  Do we watch a short video on our stateroom TV, then go to our lifeboat and sign in with a crew member so we know where it is (like I've read many lines are doing now) or will they have us meet en masse by our lifeboats for the entire schpiel?

 

In addition to TayanaLorna's reply.

 

Viking are civilised in that the Assembly Stations are not at the Survival Craft. In the event of hearing the General Emergency Signal, you proceed to your assigned Assembly Station, which are in the interior spaces of the ship. No standing outside in the cold/rain with Viking.

[KBs mum]

If there is a muster, drill or otherwise, the elevators are unavailable for general use. For this reason, if you have a mobility issue that means the stairs are a problem, or any medical condition that may be relevant, tell one of the crew doing the muster (if you haven't allready mentioned it before boarding) In the event of an emergency they will make sure to get to your muster station. There is also assigned seating in the muster areas for those who, like me, are crocks. 

I noticed watching video posted of the Viking Sky incident that the theatre muster station helicopter evacuation contingent were taken from this area. 

 

Another thing is to see how you can get to your muster station, for example, I can, if I have to, go down the stairs by the spa, those in the atrium are a struggle (step and handrail design) take into account the ship could be at a mad angle. 

 

Also if Heidi13, Chengkp75 or Jim Avery say anything that contradicts me, believe them, not me. They have been absolute stars at answering my questions about lifeboats on another thread

Edited October 23, 2021 by KBs mum

[Heidi13]

2 hours ago, KBs mum said:

If there is a muster, drill or otherwise, the elevators are unavailable for general use. For this reason, if you have a mobility issue that means the stairs are a problem, or any medical condition that may be relevant, tell one of the crew doing the muster (if you haven't allready mentioned it before boarding) In the event of an emergency they will make sure to get to your muster station. There is also assigned seating in the muster areas for those who, like me, are crocks. 

I noticed watching video posted of the Viking Sky incident that the theatre muster station helicopter evacuation contingent were taken from this area. 

 

Another thing is to see how you can get to your muster station, for example, I can, if I have to, go down the stairs by the spa, those in the atrium are a struggle (step and handrail design) take into account the ship could be at a mad angle. 

 

Also if Heidi13, Chengkp75 or Jim Avery say anything that contradicts me, believe them, not me. They have been absolute stars at answering my questions about lifeboats on another thread

 

Not contradicting, just expanding.😁

 

Every space on a ship must have at least 2 exits, with some of them not readily available to pax. Therefore, stairway guides are normally activated prior to sounding the GES. Due to circumstances, routes you have scouted may not be available, so the crew may direct you via crew only stairwells.

 

This why the actual Muster is a key training exercise for the crew, as well as teaching pax.

[Clay Clayton]

5 hours ago, zelker said:

Thanks.  So who did the presentation and where?

In Iceland, upon boarding the ship they had airport security type dividers up to take you to your muster station. So for us we walked directly to The Restaurant where a crew member demonstrated how to properly don a life vest. Then as others have said we were directed to our room to watch the video and take our first spit test. After doing that we were free to explore the ship or leave the ship. 
 

We overnighted in Reykjavik and the next afternoon prior to sailaway, all ships services were halted and there was the usual muster announcement and demonstration of the ship’s signal.  I was speaking to the GM when the pre-drill announcement was made that bars would be closing😢 and he told me that having us hear the ship’s signal to go to our Muster Station was the final requirement to meet Solas’ requirements.
 

I for one hope they continue this type of drill in the future.  

[zelker]

1 minute ago, Clay Clayton said:

In Iceland, upon boarding the ship they had airport security type dividers up to take you to your muster station. So for us we walked directly to The Restaurant where a crew member demonstrated how to properly don a life vest. Then as others have said we were directed to our room to watch the video and take our first spit test. After doing that we were free to explore the ship or leave the ship. 
 

We overnighted in Reykjavik and the next afternoon prior to sailaway, all ships services were halted and there was the usual muster announcement and demonstration of the ship’s signal.  I was speaking to the GM when the pre-drill announcement was made that bars would be closing😢 and he told me that having us hear the ship’s signal to go to our Muster Station was the final requirement to meet Solas’ requirements.
 

I for one hope they continue this type of drill in the future.  

Where to go (and how we would know when and where) was the missing piece so thanks for the explanation.  

[Clay Clayton]

1 minute ago, zelker said:

Where to go (and how we would know when and where) was the missing piece so thanks for the explanation.  

Of course…but trust me you won’t have to know when or where…the crew will make sure you do.  Presuming this same procedure is used in the future. 

Edited October 23, 2021 by Clay Clayton

[KBs mum]

1 hour ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Not contradicting, just expanding.😁

 

Every space on a ship must have at least 2 exits, with some of them not readily available to pax. Therefore, stairway guides are normally activated prior to sounding the GES. Due to circumstances, routes you have scouted may not be available, so the crew may direct you via crew only stairwells.

 

This why the actual Muster is a key training exercise for the crew, as well as teaching pax.

Acknowledged and accepted. I didn't mention the crew stairs as I thought it likely to potentially complicate the cat herding, and that questions may be asked if pax have knowledge about them. I view it as being the crews job to tell me which route is best to take, and my job to know if I can actually physically  traverse that route, and if not, to be able to communicate clearly what I can do. Eg if I were to say I can manage stairs similar to the main gangplank but not any similar to the atrium the crew have the best info I can provide and can advise accordingly. I think it likely that crew can, if néed be, shift disabledi people up and down the stairs using stretchers/specialist chairs, but this is generally a last resort, even in buildings on land. 

 

There is usually a comedy moment on aircraft when the cabin crew brief me on what to do if the Captain orders evacuate, and I explain that the slides are no problem, I've been down one before. 

 

PS me getting into small boat (life boat size or smaller) is guaranteed to reduce spectators to tears of laughter. Me getting out of small boat requires several sturdy deckhands. If I were ever to actually need to get into a lifeboat the crew may never be the same again! 

Edited October 23, 2021 by KBs mum

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, Clay Clayton said:

In Iceland, upon boarding the ship they had airport security type dividers up to take you to your muster station. So for us we walked directly to The Restaurant where a crew member demonstrated how to properly don a life vest. Then as others have said we were directed to our room to watch the video and take our first spit test. After doing that we were free to explore the ship or leave the ship. 
 

We overnighted in Reykjavik and the next afternoon prior to sailaway, all ships services were halted and there was the usual muster announcement and demonstration of the ship’s signal.  I was speaking to the GM when the pre-drill announcement was made that bars would be closing😢 and he told me that having us hear the ship’s signal to go to our Muster Station was the final requirement to meet Solas’ requirements.
 

I for one hope they continue this type of drill in the future.  

 

Clay - I can provide another insight, as while this might appeal to pax, eliminating the actual Muster removes a hands on training opportunity for the crew, in actually experiencing/managing the herd (pax). We can give them hours of theory and standing at stairwells during crew drills, but nothing beats experiencing the sea of humanity, then trying to direct them creates another level of realism.

 

If this continues, new hotel crew's first exposure to a herd of pax looking for an Assembly Station could be during a real emergency. Never the preferred option.

[Clay Clayton]

3 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Clay - I can provide another insight, as while this might appeal to pax, eliminating the actual Muster removes a hands on training opportunity for the crew, in actually experiencing/managing the herd (pax). We can give them hours of theory and standing at stairwells during crew drills, but nothing beats experiencing the sea of humanity, then trying to direct them creates another level of realism.

 

If this continues, new hotel crew's first exposure to a herd of pax looking for an Assembly Station could be during a real emergency. Never the preferred option.

Good point!   

[OnTheJourney]

Having been a passenger on the infamous Viking Sky incident, I have a rather unique perspective on muster drills; namely, any cruise line that relies solely on some sort of video in place of an actual drill is not only wasting everyone’s time but also doing them a disservice. I guarantee from experience that when (if) an actual emergency takes place, many pax will be lucky if they even remember how to put on the life vest even if it was practiced during muster. I completely forgot  how to do it in the “heat of the moment”. The thing was all folded up like a cube. I’ve heard reports from other cruise lines of people simply watching a video and, of course, barely paying attention. I can barely hold my tongue when I see people goofing off during drills - talking, messing with their phones, etc. 

Edited October 25, 2021 by OnTheJourney

[OnTheJourney]

On 10/23/2021 at 10:49 AM, TayanaLorna said:

No multi person crowded muster.

Sorry but, as inconvenient as some might view such crowded drills, it needs to be done as realistically as possible. Even then, nothing really prepares you when that general alarm goes off and you know it’s the real deal. I, too, used to probably take the drills a bit less seriously than I should have, but I won’t anymore after  March 23 of ‘19. 

Edited October 25, 2021 by OnTheJourney

[OnTheJourney]

On 10/23/2021 at 6:25 PM, Heidi13 said:

 

Clay - I can provide another insight, as while this might appeal to pax, eliminating the actual Muster removes a hands on training opportunity for the crew, in actually experiencing/managing the herd (pax). We can give them hours of theory and standing at stairwells during crew drills, but nothing beats experiencing the sea of humanity, then trying to direct them creates another level of realism.

 

If this continues, new hotel crew's first exposure to a herd of pax looking for an Assembly Station could be during a real emergency. Never the preferred option.

Great post Andy. I couldn’t agree more. 

[Eggtuary]

3 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Great post Andy. I couldn’t agree more. 

I really appreciate both you and Andy sharing your perspectives on this. I will be sure to pay close attention during the training!

[TayanaLorna]

On 10/23/2021 at 4:25 PM, Clay Clayton said:

In Iceland, upon boarding the ship they had airport security type dividers up to take you to your muster station. So for us we walked directly to The Restaurant where a crew member demonstrated how to properly don a life vest. Then as others have said we were directed to our room to watch the video and take our first spit test. After doing that we were free to explore the ship or leave the ship. 
 

We overnighted in Reykjavik and the next afternoon prior to sailaway, all ships services were halted and there was the usual muster announcement and demonstration of the ship’s signal.  I was speaking to the GM when the pre-drill announcement was made that bars would be closing😢 and he told me that having us hear the ship’s signal to go to our Muster Station was the final requirement to meet Solas’ requirements.
 

I for one hope they continue this type of drill in the future.  

That's interesting Clay that yours was done so differently then ours.  Maybe they were trying to keep us all separate as our cruise followed yours with the Covid positive/contact tracing issue on board.  We werent even sure the ship was sailing until the day before our flight.  We did not hear a ship signal to muster either.  It could have been done before we returned from our excursion since we returned right before sail away.

[TayanaLorna]

8 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Having been a passenger on the infamous Viking Sky incident, I have a rather unique perspective on muster drills; namely, any cruise line that relies solely on some sort of video in place of an actual drill is not only wasting everyone’s time but also doing them a disservice. I guarantee from experience that when (if) an actual emergency takes place, many pax will be lucky if they even remember how to put on the life vest even if it was practiced during muster. I completely forgot  how to do it in the “heat of the moment”. The thing was all folded up like a cube. I’ve heard reports from other cruise lines of people simply watching a video and, of course, barely paying attention. I can barely hold my tongue when I see people goofing off during drills - talking, messing with their phones, etc. 

My comment of no crowded muster drill was meant to reflect the Covid situation and being aboard one of Vikings first Welcome Back cruises.  I did not mean the muster drill was an inconvenience.  The first time I was ever on a cruise, I didn't understand how to find the location of my muster station as indicated by the letter on my stateroom card.  I didn't even know to look on the back of our stateroom door.  And once outside our stateroom i couldn't tell what was fore and aft on the ship.  So a live hands on muster drill was extremely helpful and something i don't know if i could have managed the first time from a video.  I think the way Viking is or was doing it is to avoid crowds of people closely together during Covid times.  It would be interesting to hear how it is being done on the most recent cruises and how it may have changed.

[TayanaLorna]

On 10/23/2021 at 6:25 PM, Heidi13 said:

 

Clay - I can provide another insight, as while this might appeal to pax, eliminating the actual Muster removes a hands on training opportunity for the crew, in actually experiencing/managing the herd (pax). We can give them hours of theory and standing at stairwells during crew drills, but nothing beats experiencing the sea of humanity, then trying to direct them creates another level of realism.

 

If this continues, new hotel crew's first exposure to a herd of pax looking for an Assembly Station could be during a real emergency. Never the preferred option.

And the crew has had no hands on training with crowds of people for at least 1 year and 8 months.  

[Clay Clayton]

2 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

That's interesting Clay that yours was done so differently then ours.  Maybe they were trying to keep us all separate as our cruise followed yours with the Covid positive/contact tracing issue on board.  We werent even sure the ship was sailing until the day before our flight.  We did not hear a ship signal to muster either.  It could have been done before we returned from our excursion since we returned right before sail away.

That is interesting as Camiel told me that passengers had to hear the signal to meet SOLAS requirements.  I know they delayed it 15 minutes because of a late returning bus. I was standing beside him chatting when he got a walkie talkie call and made the decision to delay the drill. 
 

We didn’t have to do anything but all activity stopped during the announcement and the signal. 
 

Our life jacket demonstration was very uncrowded as it was just the three of us traveling together. 

[TayanaLorna]

5 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

That is interesting as Camiel told me that passengers had to hear the signal to meet SOLAS requirements.  I know they delayed it 15 minutes because of a late returning bus. I was standing beside him chatting when he got a walkie talkie call and made the decision to delay the drill. 
 

We didn’t have to do anything but all activity stopped during the announcement and the signal. 
 

Our life jacket demonstration was very uncrowded as it was just the three of us traveling together. 

Well maybe it happened, we were in our cabin or showering and I just don't remember.  I knew there wouldn't be a requirement to leave the room.

[lisiamc]

Years ago, on another thread, doubtless for another cruise line, someone experienced said that what passengers most need to take away from the safety drill is to “Show up, Shut up, and Listen up.” Having muscle memory of where your muster station or your actual lifeboat station is will only be a starting point at best.  If that section of the ship is on fire or underwater, the crew will obviously be guiding you to somewhere else.

[OnTheJourney]

1 hour ago, lisiamc said:

Show up, Shut up, and Listen up.”

LOL....definitely. At the one drill we attended - the crewman in charge was like a drill sergeant - told people constantly to stop talking and actually threatened to confiscate phones if he saw people using them. I was loving it - would have been happy to see the guy take someone's phone and toss it over the side.

[OnTheJourney]

1 hour ago, lisiamc said:

If that section of the ship is on fire or underwater, the crew will obviously be guiding you to somewhere else.

 

As in, like...whichever part of the ship is still ABOVE water 😉