Purpose

Working in the maritime industry can be one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.  There are no firefighters to put out a fire; there is no escaping any problems that may arise.  Only the crew is there to save the day.  It is very important to know what to do in a time of emergency and especially know how to lower a lifeboat in the worst-case scenario: abandoning ship.  You may have only minutes to lower a lifeboat and safely get away from your ship; time is very important and there is no room for error.  Knowing what to do in the case of an emergency could save your life one day.  These instructions will educate you enough to be able to safely get off a ship in times of emergency.

When First Arriving on a Ship:  Check Station Bill

1. A station bill is on every American merchant ship.  The station bill lists

      a. Alarm signals

      b. Instructions

      c. Emergency duties      

2. You will receive a supplementary station bill card.[1]

3. Learn and know your duties. There is no time for error during emergency.

[1] A card posted near your bunk indicating lifeboat station and duties.

Alarm signals

1. Fire and Emergency--A continuous sounding of general alarm and whistle for at least 10 seconds.

2. Abandon Ship--More than 6 short blasts and one long on the ships whistle and general alarm.

3. Man Overboard--Morse code "Oscar"  (---) on the ship's whistle and general alarm, or yelling the words "Man Overboard" 

4. Dismissal--The fire or emergency is over when indicated by three short blasts on the ship’s whistle and general alarm.   

Lifeboat Drill Signals

1. Lower boats--one short blast.

2. Stop lowering boats--two short blasts.

3. Raise boats--verbal command by coxswain[2], “Raise the boat”.

4. Dismissal from lifeboats--three short blasts.

Preparing and Lowering Lifeboat

1.  When alarm sounds go to your assigned lifeboat station[3].  These next steps will be very useful in the circumstance of having to abandon ship.

2.  Check lifeboat

        a.  Put drain cap[4]  in     

        b.  Secure the sea painter[5]     

        c.  Prepare ship rudder and tiller[6]      

        d.  Throw manropes[7]  over inboard side of lifeboat

3.  The coxswain will then order to release the gripes[8].  Two people will be needed to pull the tagline to the McCluney hooks [located fore and aft] simultaneously.

4.  One short blast will be sounded

        a.  Break operator raises the break to lower boat.

        b.  Lower only to embarkation deck

5.  Two short blast will be sounded when boat is at embarkation deck.           

6.  Passengers will embark, pass frapping  lines[9] around falls, and secure around a cleat.           

7.  Bow and stern people unwrap tripping lines from around tricing pendant [10] hooks.

8.  Bow and stern people pull tripping line freeing the tricing pendants

9.  One whistle is sounded, break wench operator lowers lifeboat

10. Two whistles sounded when life boat is just at the crest of the waves

11. Release boat on the crest of the wave when the coxswain says.  The release mechanism is the rottmer-releasing hook, which is a red painted lever surrounded by a white stripe and in the middle of the lifeboat.

Nomenclature

[2] Coxswain--The person in charge of the lifeboat and at the lifeboat station

[3] See station bill for assigned lifeboat station.

[4] Used to drain rain water and, when lifted out of water, any sea water which may have entered the lifeboat.

[5] A rope secured to the deck to keep the lifeboat along side the ship. It is released in the boat by pulling a toggle pin from a securing loop made fast to a thawrt in the forward end of the lifeboat.

[6] This is the process of  moving the rudder and tiller(steering devices) back and forth to see if they will move and are not jammed.

[7] Usually have figure 8 knots tied into them at 3 foot intervals. They are used by the crew for support while standing in the boat and while lowering. Should a fall part, the crew could hang onto the manrope until pulled to safety.

[8] Secures the lifeboat to the cradle which is holding it on to the deck or side of the ship

[9] Holds lifeboat to the side of the ship

[10] Holds the boat alongside the embarkation deck

Key Information for surviving while in a Lifeboat

Most of the time that you will need to abandon ship, the weather won't be calm.  So even if you are at sea for only a day or so, there are some things you should do to better the chances for your survival.

1.  Make sure everyone isn’t hurt and in the lifeboat.  You don’t want to leave anyone behind.

2.  Take seasickness pills right away. This will make sure you don’t vomit which will dehydrate you.

3.  Do not drink water in the first 24 hours.  You already have water in your system and drinking more will make you urinate faster loosing valuable fluid.

5.  Keep warm and try to have a positive outlook on the situation, Try to entertain each other.

Conclusion

If all steps have been done properly, you will know what to do on a ship in the case of an emergency and have a better chance of survival.  A ship can be a very dangerous place and safety should always be your top priority.  With these steps you can tackle the worst-case scenario on a ship.

References

Lundeberg, Harry, (1991).  Water survival manual.  Piney Point, Maryland:  SeafarersHarryLundebergSchool of Seamanship.