KUP 26 Ability to take precautions for the protection and safety of passengers in emergency situations

Emergencies on a ship can be varied and require immediate and effective response to ensure the safety of the crew, passengers, and the vessel itself. This lesson will introduce about basic onboard emergencies and how to handle some emergencies like man overboard, medical evacuation, fire etc.. Emergencies at sea often strike unexpectedly, be it fire, flooding, collisions, or medical crises. On passenger ships carrying thousands, panic can quickly escalate in a crisis, highlighting the critical importance of drills and preparedness. SOLAS regulations mandate monthly abandon ship and fire drills for all crew members. If over 25% of the crew hasn’t participated in the past month, these drills must occur within 24 hours of leaving port. Passenger ships require weekly drills, though not every crew member needs to participate in each one. These regulations ensure that everyone is trained and ready to respond effectively in case of an emergency.

Learning objectives

Emergency Response team

Onboard ships, specialised emergency response teams are formed by selecting crew members primarily from the deck, engineering, and galley departments. Depending on the company’s policy, there are typically 3 to 4 teams, each comprising 15-20 members. These teams receive specific training and specialize in firefighting operations, equipment handling (such as fireman’s outfits, breathing apparatus, fire hoses, and extinguishers), and response procedures (like navigating emergency routes, operating watertight doors, and entering smoke-filled areas).

The first response team usually hails from the deck department and primarily handles emergencies in non-technical areas like passenger cabins, public spaces, and open decks. The second team, consisting of technical department personnel, is the primary responder for emergencies within the engine room and other machinery spaces.A third emergency team, made up of galley department members, assists the first two teams. A medical/stretcher team, composed of doctors and other medical staff, handles evacuations of casualties and provides immediate care.Each team has a leader who takes charge during drills and real emergencies. These leaders report to on-scene commanders, typically the Staff Chief Engineer for engine-related issues and the Safety Officer for deck scenarios, who are in constant radio contact with the bridge.

Emergency team members are trained in damage control methods to mitigate flooding situations. Some, usually engineers and deck officers, are assigned as lifeboat in-charges, responsible for launch procedures, passenger loading/unloading, engine operation, and safe maneuvering in an abandon ship scenario. Hotel and entertainment staff may be designated as first responders, guiding passengers to their muster stations. They’re usually given distinctive attire like hats or fluorescent jackets for easy identification.

Drills

To maintain compliance and continually improve crew emergency response skills, cruise ships strictly adhere to SOLAS regulations regarding drills. While SOLAS mandates at least one monthly drill, a full crew drill, involving every member, is typically conducted every two weeks. These drills often involve a fire drill or a damage control scenario simulating flooding or a hull breach, followed by an abandon ship drill. This practice ensures that the crew remains well-prepared for any potential emergencies. On weeks without a full crew drill, a partial drill is held for emergency teams and first responders only. These partial drills are sometimes supplemented with training sessions on using fireman’s outfits, breathing apparatus, VHF radios, emergency communication, hose handling, fire extinguishers, smoke-filled compartment entry, etc. All drills and training sessions are planned and scheduled ahead of time to keep the crew informed and prepared.SOLAS regulations stipulate that on any ship voyage where passengers are expected to be onboard for over 24 hours, newly embarked passengers must participate in a muster drill before or immediately after departure. During this drill, passengers are instructed on how to use life jackets and the actions to take in an emergency situation.

The muster drill also includes a briefing conducted through announcements in multiple languages understandable to the passengers. This can be done via the ship’s public address (PA) system or other methods ensuring that all passengers hear the information, especially those who haven’t heard it during the voyage. Supplementary information can be provided through cards, posters, or videos on the ship’s displays, but these cannot substitute the live announcement. The Costa Concordia incident in 2012 emphasized the need for passenger familiarization with onboard safety and rescue procedures. This includes training passengers on how to put on life jackets, find their muster stations, understand emergency broadcasts, and respond to announcements. Consequently, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee amended SOLAS regulation III/19 in June 2013, requiring passenger safety drills to be held before or immediately upon departure, instead of within the first 24 hours of the voyage as previously stipulated.

Life saving equipments onboard

It is important to note that not every ship carries all the life-saving equipment discussed here. The specific type and quantity of equipment onboard depend on several factors, including the ship type, number of passengers and crew, and applicable safety regulations. The following list outlines the main life-saving equipment used for evacuation and rescue during ship emergencies.

Life jackets

Saving lives at sea is the utmost priority in emergencies, and life-saving appliances are crucial in these situations. Ships are equipped with various types of life-saving appliances for different emergencies, and their operation and maintenance must be thoroughly understood by the crew. A life jacket, or life vest, is one such appliance used in almost all emergencies. Construction and operational requirements for life jackets are detailed in SOLAS Chapter II under the LSA code, which was recently updated in July 2010.

A life jacket is a sleeveless jacket designed to keep a person afloat in water. It can be made of buoyant materials or inflatable components.Onboard ships, two common types of life jackets are used:

1. Inflatable Life Jacket: Requires inflation for buoyancy and self-inflates when submerged in water. It usually has two separate buoyancy chambers.
2. Non-Inflatable Life Jacket: Made with buoyant materials, these jackets provide immediate flotation without needing inflation.

Every life jacket must have a securely attached whistle. The lights and whistles must be chosen and attached in a way that doesn’t negatively affect their performance together. Each life jacket should have a detachable buoyant line or other means to connect it to another person’s life jacket in the water. Additionally, each life jacket must have a way for a rescuer to lift the wearer from the water into a survival craft or rescue boat. The jacket should not burn or melt when exposed to a flame for two seconds, and it should be designed for only one way of wearing, or as close to that as possible, to prevent incorrect use. It must withstand being jumped into the water from a height of at least 4.5 meters without causing injury or damage to the life jacket. Finally, the buoyancy of the life jacket should not decrease by more than 5% after being submerged in freshwater for 24 hours.

Life rafts

Liferafts are essential survival equipment found on all seagoing merchant and passenger ships, alongside lifeboats. They are simpler to deploy than lifeboats and often have auto-inflation systems, allowing for quick evacuation in emergencies without manual launching. SOLAS Chapter III outlines the specific requirements for the types and quantity of liferafts required based on the ship’s size and type. Liferafts are usually placed on the muster station, on both port and starboard sides near the lifeboats, and at the ship’s stern. Their precise location depends on the vessel’s size. These liferafts are kept in fiberglass containers and are inflated by high-pressure gas during emergencies. A Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) connects the raft container to the ship, automatically releasing the raft if the vessel sinks.

The liferaft container is marked with essential information like the raft’s capacity, manufacturing and servicing dates, company name, and launching instructions, often accompanied by visual aids for easy comprehension. Inside the raft, you’ll find essential survival items such as food rations, signaling devices, and additional life jackets.

Life rafts are preferred over lifeboats due to their ease of launching and automatic inflation upon contact with seawater. Now, we’ll delve into the three distinct methods for deploying life rafts from a ship:

1. Automatic Release with Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU): This method relies on a pressure-activated device that releases the raft when submerged to a certain depth.
2. Manual Launching: This involves manually releasing the raft from its container and deploying it into the water.
3. Launching by Davits: Similar to lifeboats, davits can also be used to lower liferafts into the water.

Automatic Release with HRU

The Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) is a vital component of the life raft system, playing a crucial role in saving lives during abandon ship situations. SOLAS 74 explicitly defines the construction and placement requirements for HRUs on life rafts.

HRUs act as a link between the life raft container and the ship’s deck where it’s stored. When a ship sinks below 4 meters, water pressure activates the HRU. A sharp knife or chisel within the HRU cuts the strap securing the container, while keeping the painter line attached at a weak link. The HRU is connected to the container with a quick-release lashing that can be manually disengaged for manual launching. It’s also connected to a secure point on the deck via a weak link. When the ship sinks, the HRU cuts the strap, allowing the container to float up. As the ship descends further, tension on the painter line inflates the life raft. The increasing tension then breaks the weak link, freeing the life raft from the sinking ship.

Manual launching

Manual Life Raft Launching Procedure:

• Ensure the painter line is securely fastened to a strong point on the ship’s deck.
• Remove any lashing on the raft container and clear access to the ship’s railing.
• Verify that the launching area on the ship’s side is clear of obstructions.
• Two people should lift the container horizontally from both sides and toss it overboard.
• Confirm that the painter line remains attached to the ship, preventing the raft from drifting away.
• Pull the painter line forcefully to activate the gas bottle and initiate inflation.
• Allow 20-30 seconds for the life raft to fully inflate.
• Board the raft one by one, using a ladder or rope if available.
• Avoid bringing sharp objects like knives or shoes onto the raft to prevent damage.
• Once everyone is aboard and accounted for, sever the painter line with a sharp knife.

Launching by davit

Open the lashing and detach the raft container from the HRU by releasing the manual slip hook or bottle screw. Securely fasten one end of the raft’s painter line to a strong point on the deck. Position the container in the open and connect the davit hook to the designated eye on the canister/container. Raise the raft using the davit, positioning the container at the embarkation deck. Pull the painter line to inflate the raft and thoroughly inspect it. Begin boarding the raft without shoes or sharp objects. Once everyone is onboard, ensure the area beneath is clear and release any securing lines. A crew member inside the raft will detach the davit hook when the raft is just above the water. The davit operator then boards the raft by jumping, climbing, or using any available boarding means. Finally, cut the painter line to free the raft from the ship.

Lifeboats

Lifeboats are the primary means of escape when a ship must be abandoned. They must be available in sufficient numbers on both port and starboard sides to accommodate everyone onboard, ensuring evacuation even if the ship lists heavily to one side. Smaller vessels like those in harbors and rivers often utilize open or semi-enclosed lifeboats. Large vessels that sail on the open ocean are typically equipped with fully enclosed lifeboats. This design choice provides superior protection from harsh weather and sea conditions. These lifeboats are equipped with small diesel engines, allowing them to travel independently at speeds of around 6 knots and carry enough fuel for 24 hours of continuous operation.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted Resolution MSC.402(96), specifying the requirements for the maintenance, repair, overhaul, and thorough examination of lifeboats, along with their release gear.

Additionally, the following components should be meticulously inspected, where applicable, to ensure their proper condition and operation:

• Sprinkler System
• Bailing System
• Fender/Skate arrangements
• Rescue boat righting system
• Boat structure condition (visual inspection of external boundaries)
• Engine and propulsion system
• Manoeuvring System
• Power Supply System
• Air Supply System

There are three types of lifeboats used on trading ships.

1. Open lifeboats: Open lifeboats, as the name implies, lack a roof and are typically propelled manually using oars. They may also have a compression ignition engine for propulsion. However, due to stricter safety regulations, open lifeboats are becoming increasingly rare, though they can still be found on older vessels. Open lifeboats provide minimal protection from rain or rough weather, and the risk of water entering the boat is high.
2. Closed lifeboats: Closed lifeboats are the most common type of lifeboat used on ships due to their enclosed design, which protects the crew from seawater, strong winds, and harsh weather conditions. They also have better watertight integrity than open lifeboats and can self-right if capsized by waves.
3. Free fall lifeboats: Free fall lifeboat is similar to an enclosed lifeboat but the process of launching is entirely different. They are aerodynamic in nature and thus the boat can penetrate the water without damaging the body when launched from the ship. Generally, they are located at the aft end of the ship, which gives a clear area and a wake effect of the ship to push the lifeboat away from the ship.

Rescue boats

Rescue boats are small, agile vessels designed for the swift rescue of people in distress and for towing survival crafts like liferafts. Built for rapid deployment, they prioritize stability during rescues, allowing for safe recovery from either side. Typically launched using davits, rescue boats vary in shape and size. They are often constructed with fiberglass and equipped with inflatable rubber buoyancy chambers for enhanced stability. Rescue boats undergo rigorous testing, including towing trials, seating capacity assessments, overload tests, operational functionality checks, righting capability evaluations, and maneuverability assessments. For a detailed understanding of these tests, refer to Resolution MSC.81(70) Part 1-7.

Lifebuoys

Lifebuoys are a common sight on both small and large vessels, even around swimming pools. Positioned around the ship’s weather deck, they are designed to be quickly thrown to someone who falls overboard. Since man overboard incidents are relatively frequent, lifebuoys provide the fastest means of flotation in such situations. The minimum number of lifebuoys required on a ship, according to SOLAS regulations, varies based on the vessel’s length.

SOLAS regulations mandate specific standards for lifebuoys:

• Maximum outer diameter: 800mm
• Minimum inner diameter: 400mm
• Must withstand freefall from above the waterline
• Minimum weight: 2.5 kg
• Must support 14.5 kg of iron afloat in freshwater for 24 hours
• Made of non-fading material
• Resistant to burning or melting after 2 seconds of direct flame

In addition, lifebuoys must pass mandatory tests, including:

• Temperature cycling
• Drop testing
• Oil resistance
• Fire resistance
• Flotation capability
• Strength testing
• Operation of light and smoke signals
• Self-activation of smoke signals

Immersion suit

Immersion suits, also known as survival suits, are specialized protective clothing designed to keep a person warm and afloat in cold water for an extended period. They are essential safety equipment on ships, especially those operating in cold climates or areas with a risk of cold water immersion.

Standard immersion suit designs aim to maintain a person’s body temperature above 35 degrees Celsius for six hours in 0-degree Celsius water. Key requirements highlighted in SOLAS Chapter III/32 include:

Every person onboard a ship should have an immersion suit, except for bulk carriers continuously operating in warm waters.

For ships with remote watch or work stations, sufficient immersion suits should be provided at these locations for immediate access.

Clear signage indicating the location of immersion suits is essential.

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