Shipboard emergencies and emergency equipment

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6. Shipboard emergencies and emergency equipment

6.1. General provisions

6.1.1. National and international requirements governing equipment, musters,

drills and training should be strictly complied with.1

6.1.2. Shipboard emergency training schemes should take account of the

IMO/ILO Document for guidance: An international maritime training guide

(1985 or later edition).2

6.1.3. Seafarers should be informed of the location to which they must go on

hearing the emergency signal and of their duties when they arrive at that station. The

location should be well marked.

6.1.4. The master should ensure that a muster list is compiled and kept up to date

and that copies are displayed in conspicuous places throughout the ship. The muster list

should contain details of the general alarm signal and other emergency signals and the

action to be taken when such signals are activated. The means by which the order to

abandon ship is given should also be included. The muster list should indicate the

individual duties of all personnel on board and all crew members should be given

written details of their own duties.

6.1.5. All seafarers concerned should muster at a drill wearing the appropriate

clothing.

6.1.6. The purpose of drills is to familiarize personnel with their respective duties

and to ensure that they can carry out those duties in an appropriate manner. Each crew

member should participate in drills in accordance with national and international

requirements.3

6.1.7. The timing of drills should be varied to ensure that seafarers who because

of their duties have not taken part in a particular drill may participate in the next drill.

Seafarers should receive training as soon as possible, if possible before joining the ship,

to ensure that there is no period of time when the seafarer is incapable of carrying out

safety-related responsibilities.

6.1.8. Drills often involve the whole crew but it might be preferable to confine

certain drills to crew members with specific tasks.

6.1.9. Although drills are an essential part of emergency training, a training

scheme should consist of more than just drills. Information should be given to the entire

1 In particular, SOLAS, 1974, Chapter III, as amended.

2 In particular sections 10, 11 and 12.

3 SOLAS, 1974, Chapter III, as amended.