Muster Drill

[CJANDH]

Over on the Norwegian and Regent boards there is a lot of discussion on the move back to in person muster drills on their cruises. I would be interested in hearing how the emuster on Silverseas has evolved and how well it works to get everyone (Passengers and Crew) trained.

[Observer]

On my most recent Silversea cruise, guests were required to watch a video in their cabins and then attend a very brief muster drill, where they were shown in the way to the lifeboats. People did not bring or wear their life jackets. I believe that too many people may have tripped on dangling straps from lifejackets 

Edited February 22, 2023 by Observer

[Host Jazzbeau]

3 hours ago, Observer said:

On my most recent Silversea cruise, guests were required to watch a video in their cabins and then attend a very brief muster drill, where they were shown in the way to the lifeboats. People did not bring or wear their life jackets. I believe that too many people may have tripped on dangling straps from lifejackets 

I agree that carrying your life jacket doesn't really add to your ability to handle a real emergency should one develop.  Nor does trooping from the muster station to the lifeboat, as there will be crew members herding you in the event.  What is really necessary, IMHO, is going from your cabin to the muster station – if the emergency happens in the middle of the night, the 'muscle memory' from this exercise is the one thing that may help you.

[Dolcevita Diva]

On 2/21/2023 at 11:11 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

I agree that carrying your life jacket doesn't really add to your ability to handle a real emergency should one develop.  Nor does trooping from the muster station to the lifeboat, as there will be crew members herding you in the event.  What is really necessary, IMHO, is going from your cabin to the muster station – if the emergency happens in the middle of the night, the 'muscle memory' from this exercise is the one thing that may help you.

As someone who was called to lifeboat stations in the middle of the night due to a fire aboard the ship on another cruise line many years ago, that "muscle memory" of knowing where your lifejacket is and remembering to put it on as you hurry out of a pitch-black cabin is important too.

[dawntrdr]

Yes, in the excitement I would probably forget that my phone has a flashlight on it ... if I could find my phone.

[Dolcevita Diva]

10 minutes ago, dawntrdr said:

Yes, in the excitement I would probably forget that my phone has a flashlight on it ... if I could find my phone.

Excellent point..we didn't have flashlights at our fingertips during my long ago incident. But it is very disorienting to be awakened at 3 a.m. to announcements "Ladies and gentleman, please proceed to lifeboat stations immediately. This is not a drill. Repeat, this is not a drill" and then realizing the lights are not working.  Especially after enjoying wine and a nightcap that evening!

 

[Rothko1]

That's the rough part.  I imagine most of the passengers had some level of alcohol in their systems.  It's a vacation, after all.