Why do cruise ships do muster drills?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

1. The muster drilled are required by laws and regulations that the ships must follow. 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. The drill must be completed with 24 hours of the ship leaving port. Most times its done before the ship pulls away from the departure port but on some cruises it may be done the next day, as the law requires.

2. The drill is necessary because the procedures for you/passengers getting to the proper place in case of emergency is different on many ships. On many ships the passengers assemble outside on the promenade deck. But on other ships they assemble in the main show room and/or large lounge areas. So, even though I have cruised many times that does not mean that I automatically know where to go just because of the previous cruise drill. The instructions for where to go are always on the back of your cabin door and the designated location is not the same for every cabin; depends on where the cabin is located.

3. You will not have to option of not participating and staying in your cabin because the room stewards make sure that all of the cabins are empty when the drill is taking place. They check and double check every cabin. In addition, attendance at the drill is taken, usually via your cabin number which is plainly shown on your life jacket. They either check off cabin numbers as you arrive for the drill, or call cabin numbers after you are assembled. If you are missing or late, they will require you to come at another time, usually the next day, to complete the drill.

palmyrafan

It is required because someone else doesn't want to have to save your sorry butt because you are too lazy or childish to attend a quick event that could possibly save same sorry butt.

And yes, it is the law.

Radio Junkie

Passenger safety!

"The International Maritime Organization (a specialized agency of the United Nations) in the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. This document has been ratified and is enforced by virtually all the major "seafaring" nations of the world, including the United States.

The SOLAS agreement prescribes, in great detail, safety specifications in all areas of passenger vessel operations, including design, construction methods and materials, refurbishment standards, life-saving equipment, fire protection, safety training and drill procedures, among dozens of other precautions."

It's ship policy and quasi maritime law that says you have to.

On my last cruise, the cabin next to our's got rousted after the drill and the occupants had to go on deck and try on their vests and line up in their assigned spots.

xxjackiexx

In case it pulls another Titanic fiasco.
you know, because of all the icebergs in the Caribbean floating around

but there's most likely a law that says it's required
I've always wanted to just stay in the cabin but i'm paranoid they're going to come barging in my room and drag me out onto the deck haha

MVR

If your ship has an emergency, they need to ensure you know where to go so that it doesn't result in mass chaos. I'm sure it is a liability thing, but it's also common sense. If you are living on the sea (even for a short time), you need to be ready to evacuate the ship if something were to happen. So yes, it is necessary, and yes, they have to (for liability reasons).

If you don't participate, I doubt they will kick you off the ship, but it depends on the company what the repercussions will be (if any).

david

Yes they will make you do the muster drill. Its a pain but its very important. I wanted to hide in the room too! Trust me, they will come to your room and find you if you are there!!! Even if you hide out elsewhere on the ship they will make you do it later. The laws say they have to make every passenger on the ship do it within a certain time frame! Sucks doesn't it?

iamboundee

It is to provide you with the information you need to survive a disaster. If they were to lecture, you would not listen. (when was the last time you listened to the flight attendant? I do, but that is another story.) If they allowed you to read it, you would not do that either. You, and everyone learns more if they participate and actually have to perform the activity. Yes, there is a law that requires the ship to have these drills. and if you chose to stay in the cabin, then it is your loss.

It is documented, studied and proven that those who actually listen, and learn are more prepared in case of a disaster and are more likely to survive. AND, less likely to cause the death of others who are stuck trying to save the ones who did not listen.

Of course, the ones who did not listen and survive make all the money when they complain that the organization did not 'do enough' to protect them or their loved ones.

hazelgreen

In case the big daddy ship goes down in the middle of the ocean, don't you want to know where your assigned lifeboat is? Don't you want to know how to get to it? In situations like that...you are more likely to survive if you have a plan!!! and...yes there is a law.

~!sabrina!~

It is if you ask me, i hate it to, but its the law.

If the ship really did sink, you would need to know where to go. Stewarts check cabins, so if you stayed, you would have to hide or something.

goaheadnfireme

Here's what you do. Tell them that you have a heart condition and that you can NOT walk the stairs. They will allow you to stay in your room!!! My dad actually did have a heart condition and they let him stay in the cabin. He was asleep when we got back (even with all the horns and everything!!!).

kellifromkeller

It is because the Titanic sank and there was no organized way to save people...

Cruiselines have liabilty issues should they not save you, however doing muster drills helps with this liability as they can prove that you were at the drill and knew what to do...

It is the same reason tornado, earthquake, hurricane, and fire drills are done... Do the places you live and work just lecture on what to do? I've never been lectured to be told what to do incase of emergency...

Plus practice makes perfect...

dave.greg

one reason only MONEY
They tell you where the life boats are to satisfy insurance requirements.
each life jacket has a room # on it and they keep track of all numbers. they will come looking for you.

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