The emergency organisation and the muster list
1The lesson in plain words
One organisation for every emergency, built from teams with named leaders and deputies, and a muster list the officers keep accurate.
One organisation
Most ships use one emergency organisation for fire, flooding, collision, pollution and rescue, so people learn one set of stations. It is built from teams: the command team on the bridge, the emergency team (the attack or fire party) at the scene, a support team for containing the emergency, securing openings, equipment and stretchers, the engine-room team keeping power, pumps and propulsion, and a first-aid team. Names differ between companies; the logic is the same.
Who leads what
The master leads the command team, with the officer of the watch, a helmsman and someone on the radio and the log. The chief officer often leads the emergency team, a second officer or the bosun (senior deck rating) the support team, and the chief engineer the engine-room team. The officer in charge of medical care leads first aid. Every leader needs a named deputy, because the leader may be ashore, asleep after a long watch, or the casualty.
The muster list, officer's side
As a crew member you read your own line on the muster list. As an officer you help keep it accurate: update it when crew change, check that every key duty has a qualified person and a substitute, and make sure it matches the number on board. SOLAS III/37 lists duties such as closing watertight and fire doors, preparing survival craft, manning fire parties, communications and mustering passengers. Find the gaps in port, not in a fire.
Counting people
Each muster station reports its headcount to the bridge within minutes. Compare it with the list of everyone on board, including visitors, additional crew travelling on board and contractors. Report discrepancies immediately. Check for counting errors and report anyone missing with their last known location. The command team assesses rescue and containment priorities and assigns a properly protected search when safe. Keep the list exact at every port: a wrong number can send searchers after someone who is ashore.
Stations that work
Each team needs a muster point away from the likely fire areas, with its equipment ready: breathing apparatus sets, radios, stretcher, first-aid kit. Plan an alternative point in case the first one is inside the emergency area. When you review the plan, ask: can every team reach its station if the main stairway is full of smoke?
2Key data
- Muster list
- SOLAS III/37; ready before the ship sails
- Duties listed
- Watertight and fire doors, survival craft, fire parties, radio
- Substitutes
- Named for key persons who may be disabled
- Headcount
- Report missing people; assess and assign a safe search
- Basic view
- Signals and your own duties: Emergencies, musters and alarms
3Key points
- 1
One emergency organisation for all emergencies: command, emergency, support, engine-room and first-aid teams.
- 2
Every team leader has a named deputy.
- 3
Officers keep the muster list accurate: crew changes, qualified people, substitutes.
- 4
The headcount is checked against an exact list of everyone on board.
- 5
Plan alternative muster points for when the first is in the emergency area.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: The muster list is fine if it was correct at the last port.
Right: Update it whenever crew change; a missing substitute is found in port, not in a fire.
Wrong: Visitors and contractors are not on the muster list, so they are not counted.
Right: Everyone on board is counted. They must be on the list of persons on board and told where to go.
5Practice case & exam keys
Today's new stretcher-team leader is also the only deputy for the bridge command team. Both teams may be needed together. The ship sails tonight. Is naming them on both lines enough?
Show the answer
No. Resolve the competing duties before sailing. Assign qualified leaders and deputies who can cover both teams at the same time. Update and post the muster list, check all key duties and substitutes, and arrange familiarisation for the changed roles.
Exam keys
- Teams: command team, emergency team (attack party), support team, engine-room team, first-aid team.
- Every leader has a deputy; substitutes for key persons on the muster list.
- Muster list: SOLAS III/37, revised when crew change, ready before sailing.
- Headcount checked against the list of persons on board, including visitors.
Finish this unit
When you've read it, answer three questions. Get all three right to finish the unit; opening the page alone doesn't count.
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