Responding to the alarm: from your bunk to the muster station
1The lesson in plain words
Follow your muster-list duty. Escape at once if threatened; collect clothing and equipment only if safe, without delaying escape. Report and follow orders.
Every alarm is real
Treat every alarm as real until you are told otherwise. A drill is announced on the public address (PA) system, but follow your emergency instructions. Carry out your muster-list duty and report to your assigned station. If on watch, follow your emergency instructions; do not simply abandon your post. If smoke or heat threatens you, escape at once.
Dress for the worst
If safe and without delaying escape, wear warm layers covering arms and legs, a hat and closed shoes. Take your lifejacket and immersion suit as specified in your instructions. Never enter smoke or make an unsafe detour to fetch equipment. Clothing protects you from cold, fire and sun. Watchkeepers use the extra lifejackets kept on the bridge, in the engine control room and at other manned watch stations; do not leave an essential watch to collect equipment.
The headcount
At the muster station the person in charge checks names against the muster list. Answer clearly. If someone is missing, say where you last saw them; the master may send a search party. Never go back alone to look for anyone. Put on your lifejacket when ordered and check your neighbour's straps.
To the embarkation station
When instructed, move with your group to the embarkation station, where you board the survival craft. Board only when the person in charge orders it. Boarding may be part of a drill or preparation; the general alarm alone never authorises it. Only the master orders abandon ship. What to do in the craft or in the water is in Emergencies: survival in water.
2Step by step
When the general emergency alarm sounds
- 1
Make your own task safe if you can do so without delaying escape. Follow your assigned emergency duty. Do not stop essential machinery or leave an essential watch unless instructed or in immediate danger.
Your response must follow the muster list and preserve essential ship operations. Immediate danger requires escape.
- 2
Only if safe and without delaying escape, dress warmly with arms and legs covered, shoes and a hat; take the lifejacket and immersion suit specified in your instructions.
Clothing protects against cold, fire and sun, but collecting it or equipment must never delay escape.
- 3
Follow your muster-list duty: report to your assigned emergency station or carry out your emergency duty. If moving, use a safe route; change it if smoke or the PA requires.
The PA may name the danger area. Smoke kills faster than fire.
- 4
When moving, close doors behind you and never use a lift.
Closed doors slow fire and smoke; a lift can stop between decks.
- 5
Report to the person in charge and say who is missing or injured.
The headcount tells the master who may still be in danger.
- 6
Put on your lifejacket when instructed, and follow orders at your assigned station.
The master decides the next step; acting alone puts you and others at risk.
3Key data
- Extra lifejackets
- Bridge, engine control room, other manned stations (SOLAS III/7)
4Key points
- 1
Treat every alarm as real; drills are announced on the PA.
- 2
Dress warmly and take your lifejacket and suit only if safe, without delaying escape.
- 3
Use a safe route, close doors, never use a lift.
- 4
Follow your muster-list duty and report as instructed; never search alone for missing people.
- 5
Board survival craft only when ordered.
5Frequent mistakes
Wrong: Run to the muster station in shorts and sandals so you are not late.
Right: Dress warmly with arms and legs covered only if safe and without delaying escape. If smoke or heat threatens you, leave at once.
Wrong: Go back to your cabin to look for a missing friend.
Right: Report them to the person in charge. A search party with the right equipment will be sent if needed.
6Practice case & exam keys
At 03:00 the general emergency alarm wakes you. The PA says 'Fire in the accommodation, deck B, port side'. Your cabin is on deck B, starboard side, and the corridor smells of smoke.
Show the answer
If smoke or heat threatens you, escape at once. Take warm clothes, your lifejacket and suit only if safe; never delay escape to fetch them. Check the door for heat before opening. Use a route clear of smoke; starboard is not safe just because fire is reported to port. Close doors, avoid lifts and report smoke and missing people at your assigned station. If no route is safe, keep the door closed and alert the bridge to your location.
Exam keys
- Follow muster-list duties; do not abandon an essential watch. Collect clothing and equipment only if safe, without delaying escape.
- Warm clothing covering arms and legs, a hat and closed shoes.
- Watchkeepers use the extra lifejackets kept at their stations.
- Report missing persons; never search alone; board craft only on orders.
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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