Alternatives to Muster Drill

[OleSalt]

Here at KXXX we havew a live report from the horror on the SS Nautilus

 

"They never told us what to do. I didn't have a life jacket. I don't know anything about lifeboats'

 

Now an update from attorneys D C & H who are filing a trillion dollar class action lawsuit

[djay]

Those who would like to do away with the Drill are most likely those who have cruised so many times. I have only cruised 2 times. 3rd cruise FoS in Nov.

Some cruisers on this site have cruised 50-100-200 times. I gotta admit if I cruised 4 times a year- I would get tired of the same old words over & over.

Kind of like the emergency airline drill. I always get tired of that but after the landing in the Hudson earlier this year- I really want to know where the doors are located.

The Titanic was thought to be unsinkable also. No Iceburgs in Caribbean.

djay

[bobbie0253]

I don't mind muster... don't think it's a waste of time. BUT I hate wearing the jacket for that long. We have had some great muster drills where we were assigned a station in the main dining room. That was so nice!

[Tucker in Texas]

The additional drill could be at the end of the week, so a 2 week cruise could slip by without a 2nd muster, cruises longer than 2 weeks would need a 2nd muster on the last day of the 2nd week, or 1st day of the 3rd week

 

I was on a 19 day cruise, one muster.

 

Tucker in Texas

[LindaO]

Hi.. I asked... and this is the answer I got (I asked hubby... retired coastie... who called someone who would know...) so.. with that said... here is the info we got.

 

1. If you read the Federal Regulations... you will see on every cruise, no matter the length, there is always a Crew Drill -- Usually a Fire Drill... and sometimes to the life boats -- this is required and all cruise lines usually go above and beyond the Federal Requirements. Once a week (at least) the ship will have a crew drill and lower at least one life boat. If you've never been on board for one... they are interesting to watch.

 

2. Cruises longer than 7 days... which are in international waters are not under the guidelines of the Federal Regulations - After they leave US waters and are in international waters. For example, if you were on a Cruise in Hawaii... and a US flagged ship... prior to the end of the 14th day would be required to have a second emergency drill.

 

Finally... although it would be nice to have the room steward provide the info on a one to one basis.. I'm afraid that would be pretty time consuming... and wouldn't actually be a "Muster" -- an act of assembling.

 

So.. I'll see you at the next Muster -- hopefully we won't have to carry our PFDs.... and hopefully the only time during the cruise we will be at our lifeboat station... will be during the pre-sailing muster!

[rolloman]

The U.S. Coast Guard sets the procedure for these drills. I'm sure they wouldn't consider this an option.

 

Not only do you need to know where your station is located but also what to do when you get there in case of emergency.

 

This is a few minutes out of the day.....but those few minutes can save your life.......

 

Take a grown-up pill and go.

 

You can't help yourself can you? If your goal is to become the most hated/ignored poster you are probably are about there. Just to respond to your usual blabber... there is no difference between having muster instructions in your cabin versus a common area like the theater or casino. I really don't need you to tell me anything about sea safety. I have spilled more saltwater than you have ever seen lady, as a matter of fact next time I come into a thread you pop tall and say attention on deck.

[dallen10]

Just off the Majesty yesterday. no vests at muster and many of us were inside rather than outside. is this change because of the heat? just wondered.

[G'ma]

Amazing -- I agree with G'ma! Doctor!!

 

 

..........or Security..............:D

[G'ma]

You can't help yourself can you? If your goal is to become the most hated/ignored poster you are probably are about there. Just to respond to your usual blabber... there is no difference between having muster instructions in your cabin versus a common area like the theater or casino. I really don't need you to tell me anything about sea safety. I have spilled more saltwater than you have ever seen lady, as a matter of fact next time I come into a thread you pop tall and say attention on deck.

 

Typical swab-jockey reaction......

 

and......believe me no former Marine would pop a thing for a bubblegummer fleetie.......

 

Semper Fi

 

P.S. sorry about your saltwater thingie.....but, the Corp has to get from here to there sometimes....and you guys are elected.

[FLACRUISER99]

The U.S. Coast Guard sets the procedure for these drills. I'm sure they wouldn't consider this an option.

 

Not only do you need to know where your station is located but also what to do when you get there in case of emergency.

 

This is a few minutes out of the day.....but those few minutes can save your life.......

 

Take a grown-up pill and go.

BTW it SOLAS not the USCG that sets the procedure.

[GMoney]

OP - I think your ideas are excellent suggestions.

[waterbug123]

I don't mind muster... don't think it's a waste of time. BUT I hate wearing the jacket for that long. We have had some great muster drills where we were assigned a station in the main dining room. That was so nice!

 

I've been assigned to muster stations that were in the dining room or alternate restaurant also, and have always been puzzled by that. I mean, if the ship is going down, I'm supposed to report to the dining room??? Because my assigned lifeboat would be where? Under the table? In the event of a real emergency, that spells chaos to me.

[cruzincurt]

I've been assigned to muster stations that were in the dining room or alternate restaurant also, and have always been puzzled by that. I mean, if the ship is going down, I'm supposed to report to the dining room??? Because my assigned lifeboat would be where? Under the table? In the event of a real emergency, that spells chaos to me.

 

Yes, and you get to follow your singer/dancer/bartender life boat captain in a nice orderly fashion to the lifeboats, wherever there are. I'm with you, muster at the life boats. People can sit at the pool all day but not stand on the promenade deck outside for 15 minutes.

 

Having been to a real muster on the SS Norway in the International Lounge, that really doesn't work well, it was chaos.

[mechcc]

I actually look forward to the muster drill because when it is over, we set sail. The first few cruises, I knew exactly where my muster station was long before the muster drill. But as I cruise more, I find myself being more lax about finding out where it is until the time of the drill.

The worst drill ever was where I reported to a lounge. No one was listening. It was like a big social hour and lasted longer than those out on deck.

[Aquahound]

Just off the Majesty yesterday. no vests at muster and many of us were inside rather than outside. is this change because of the heat? just wondered.

 

The way I understand it, is that Oasis will not be requiring life jackets at the drill. I believe someone even posted that there will not be life jackets in the rooms. Majesty was first used as a test ship with the eventual implementation fleet wide.

[sidari]

mechcc ..... i admire your honesty about muster stations ... however do you do the same when staying in a hotel? and before someone pipes in and says "thats Different" it is no different! Any hotel we stay in after dropping our bags etc first stop is where the Emergancy exits are and how to get to them .... First stop on any Ferry or Cruise ship .... the back of the cabin door..... no point having a Muster station if you do not know where it is or how to get there!

 

Another point on those who want to rush to the Tender/Lifeboat for theirs ... where are you going to go if there was a problem and the problem was centered around your Lifeboat ? possibly one reason for having muster areas in Lounges etc!

 

"The worst drill ever was where I reported to a lounge. No one was listening. It was like a big social hour and lasted longer than those out on deck"

 

Have to say that the situation is disgraceful ...:mad: would they do that if the American Anthem was playing ?

[cruzincurt]

If you don't want to go to muster drill, and its too hot, and you want to bring your own booze, and wear shorts to dinner, then you should probably rent a houseboat on Lake Erie.:rolleyes: Then you can be captain and set all your own rules and regulations without affecting anyone else.

[ehfl]

I don't think the room attendant is the best person to give safety instructions. They are already very overloaded with work. Many don't speak English very well.

 

Maybe they should have everyone stop at their muster station sometime on the first day, and sign in to verify they know where it is. This is the main thing. The life jacket really is not rocket science...and in case of an actual sinking, you would likely have several hours to figure it out.

[G'ma]

BTW it SOLAS not the USCG that sets the procedure.

 

YAWN!!!!

 

US Coast Guard Regulations

 

 

 

Today's cruise ship operators require that every crewmember is safety trained and many require certain physical abilities that will enable crewmembers to carry out lifeboat deployment in their job descriptions. When you cruise, your wine steward or blackjack dealer may very well be responsible for your safety at sea as well as your libations and entertainment! This you will see first hand at the United Sates Coast Guard required "Muster Drill."

 

"Emergency Drills. Coast Guard regulations and SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) require that the master of an ocean cruise ship periodically hold fire and lifeboat drills. They are intended not only to give the crew practice, but also to show the passengers how to act in the event of an emergency at sea. Passengers should participate fully in these drills." (Source USCG)

 

Source:

 

http://www.squidoo.com/cruiseships

 

and

 

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/cruise_factsheet.html

 

SOLAS refers to the International Treaty which the Coast Guard enforces in the U.S.

[rolloman]

I don't think the room attendant is the best person to give safety instructions. They are already very overloaded with work. Many don't speak English very well.

 

Maybe they should have everyone stop at their muster station sometime on the first day, and sign in to verify they know where it is. This is the main thing. The life jacket really is not rocket science...and in case of an actual sinking, you would likely have several hours to figure it out.

 

This is an excellent example of someone assisting in a brain storming process. This person correctly read my post and offered a great suggestion for muster station process improvement. Amazing how others read my post and suggested it meant I hated muster or wanted to do without. I think I will start a new thread for a process improvement for Cruise Critic. The end result being a new program that will reward points to members who read a post and respond to it on topic, in a helpful manner and provide substance.

[Cruzaholic41]

I think I will start a new thread for a process improvement for Cruise Critic. The end result being a new program that will reward points to members who read a post and respond to it on topic, in a helpful manner and provide substance.

 

Good luck! Come on, you know how it is. Some people thrive on making enemies on anonymous websites. For example, I have a feeling that someone would not actually say "YAWN" before giving an opposing opinion in person...at least not without an expectation of getting slapped senseless.

 

I do wish the mods would crack down a little more on some of these people.

[RayJacki]

The way I understand it, is that Oasis will not be requiring life jackets at the drill. I believe someone even posted that there will not be life jackets in the rooms. Majesty was first used as a test ship with the eventual implementation fleet wide.

 

 

Any idea when this is supposed to be implemented for the rest of the fleet? I CAN'T WAIT! :D

[MAZANDSTEVE]

I dont see what the fuss is with people doing a Muster drill, it doesnt take long.:confused:

[marci22]

The life jacket really is not rocket science...and in case of an actual sinking, you would likely have several hours to figure it out.

 

With some of the things I see and hear, I would say that for a lot of people, putting on a life jacket does approximate rocket science.

[BillB48]

I dont see what the fuss is with people doing a Muster drill, it doesnt take long.:confused:

 

Your right they really don't really take too long. This is particularly true if you happen to be in the theatre or one of the inside air conditioned locations. When you are on the hot side of the ship surrounded by lots of people, including someone tossing their cookies, listening about save the whales.. waves or whatever, a nano second seems like an eternity!