B4/ Passenger care

1 Passenger care

The phrases of this chapter should help Masters, officers and crew members of passenger vessels and passenger ferries to inform passengers on safety aspects and to manage them in case of an emergency.

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1.1 Conduct of passengers on board

.1 General information on conduct of passengers

.1 Ladies and Gentlemen. This is Captain ... speaking. I have pleasure in informing you that all safety equipment is in full working order. The bow / stern doors are closed and secured. The vessel is in all respects ready for sea. Please listen carefully to the safety instructions which follow. In the unlikely event of an emergency, please obey the orders given on the public address system.

.2 Passengers are requested to read all notes and leaflets concerning safety regulations.

.3 All regulations concerning the vessel's routine have to be obeye d.

.2 Briefing on prohibited areas, decks, and spaces

Safety regulations do not permit passengers to enter the following spaces:

- navigating bridge

- engine room

- manoeuvring areas at the front and back end of the vessel

- cargo rooms and compartments

- service rooms

- all areas and spaces marked "Crew only"

- all closed, sealed or roped off areas, spaces and rooms

- car decks when the vessel is at sea.

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1.2 Briefing on safety regulations, preventive measures and communications

.1 Drills

.1 International regulations require all passengers to be assembled in a drill which has to take place within 24 hours of departure..

.2 A drill will be held to familiarize passengers with their assembly stations, with their life-saving equipment and with emergency procedures.

.3 All passengers must attend this drill.

.2 The general emergency alarm

.1 In case of emergency seven short blasts and one prolonged blast will be given with the ship's whistle and the alarm system.

.2 Remain calm when you hear the general emergency alarm.

.3 Passengers will be taught how to act and behave in cases of emergency .

.3 Preventing / reporting fire

. 1 Always remember that fire is the greatest hazard aboard ship.

. 2 Always act immediately if you detect fire or smell fumes or smoke.

. 3 Always inform a member of the crew if you detect fire or smell fumes or smoke.

. 4 Be careful to extinguish cigarettes completely.

. 5 Put used cigarettes in a container provided.

. 6 Never smoke in bed.

. 7 Never smoke on deck except in areas labelled as smoking areas.

. 8 Never throw a cigarette overboard.

. 9 The use of naked light and open fire is strictly prohibited.

.10 Never use lighted candles.

.11 Never hang anything over or near an electric bulb.

.12 Never use an electric iron in a cabin. If you need to iron something use the ironing room on .... deck. The key may be collected at the information desk.

.13 If you detect a fire or smell fumes or smoke act immediately as follows:

.......... - Call out "Fire !"

.......... - Operate the nearest fire alarm

.......... - Inform a member of the crew

.......... - Telephone the navigating bridge. The number to dial is ....

.4 PA announcements on emergency

.1 Attention please! Attention please! This is your captain with an important announcement. I repeat, this is your captain with an important announcement.

.1.1 ..... We have grounded/ a minor flooding (in ... )/ a minor fire (in ... ).

.1.2 ..... There is no immediate danger to our passengers or the ship and there is no reason to be alarmed.

.1.3 ..... For safety reasons we request all passengers to go to their assembly stations on deck and wait there for further instructions.

.1.4 ..... Please follow the instructions given by the officers and crew.

.1.5 ..... The ship's fire fighting team / damage control team is fighting the fire / flooding.

.1.6 ..... We also have radio contact with other ships / radio coast stations.

.1.7 ..... The fire / flooding is under control.

.1.8 ..... As soon as I have further information I will make another announcement. I ask you kindly to remain calm. There is no danger at this time.

.2 This is your Captain speaking. I have another announcement. The fire / flooding is not under control yet.

.2.1 ..... There is smoke / flooding in ... Access to this area is prohibited..

.2.2 ..... For safety reasons we request all passengers to prepare to go to their assembly stations. Access to the assembly stations will be via ...... . Do not forget to take your lifejackets and blankets with you.

.2.3 ..... All passengers of deck no. ..... are requested to follow the crew members who will escort you to your assembly stations.

.2.4 ..... When you get to your assembly stations put on your lifejackets and wait for further orders.

.2.5 ..... Do not go to the lifeboat stations until you are ordered to do so.

.2.6 ..... Go to your lifeboat stations.

.2.7 ..... Follow the escape routes shown.

.2.8 ..... Do not enter the lifeboats / liferafts. The order to enter the lifeboats / liferafts will be given from the bridge or by the officers.

.2.9 ..... We have just received a message from shore / other vessels that assistance is on the way. Assistance should arrive within approximately .... hours.

.5 Person overboard

.1 If you see anybody fall overboard, act as follows:

.......... - call out "Man overboard"

.......... - throw lifebuoys overboard

.......... - keep your eyes on the person in the water

.......... - show / tell an officer / crew the person's position in the water, or telephone the bridge immediately, the number is .... .

.6 Protective measures for children

.1 Children must be kept under permanent observation.

.2 Never let children climb or sit on the ship's rails.

.3 Special lifejackets for children are available; please ask the steward / stewardess.

.4 You may leave your children under qualified care in the children's playroom / on the playdeck on .... deck from .... to .... hours.

2.1 Allocating / directing to assembly stations, describing how to escape

.1 When the general emergency alarm is sounded, which consists of seven short blasts and one prolonged blast, all passengers have to go to their assembly station. Take your lifejackets and blankets with you. Lifejackets are stored in your cabins under your beds and at your assembly stations. You are encouraged to try on your lifejacket.

.2 All passengers must put on

.......... - warm clothing

.......... - long trousers, long-sleeved shirts / jackets

.......... - strong shoes and head covering.

.3 All passengers with their lifejackets and blankets are requested to go to their assembly stations/ the lounge / the ... immediately.

.4 From your assembly stations you will be escorted to your lifeboats / liferafts.

.5 All passengers are requested to carefully study the safety instructions behind their cabin doors.

.6 All passengers are requested to follow the escape routes shown.

.7 Do not use lifts / elevators.

.8 All passengers are requested to strictly obey the instructions given by the officers or crew.

.9 When you hear the abandon ship alarm, which consists of one prolonged and one short blast repeated continuously, please act in the same manner as under the general emergency alarm.

.10 During the voyage you may hear some other sound signals. These are exclusively for the information of the crew. Please, act only if you hear the general emergency alarm or the abandon ship alarm.

.11 If you have any questions regarding safety, do not hesitate to ask any of the officers or crew.

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2.2 Briefing on how to dress and what to take to assembly stations

.1 Take your lifejacket and a blanket. You will find your lifejacket under your bed.

.2 Put on warm clothing, long-sleeved shirts, strong shoes and head covering whatever the weather. No high-heeled shoes.

.3 Do not forget personal documents, your spectacles and medicine if necessary.

.4 Do not return to your cabin to collect your property.

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2.3 Performing roll call

.1 At your assembly station one of the officers / crew will perform a roll call.

.2 The officer / crew will say "This is a roll call", and will call out the passengers individually by their names.

.3 When your name is called out, please answer loudly "Here".

.4 If one of your cabinmates is not able to attend the roll call, please inform the officer/crew immediately.

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2.4 Briefing on how to put on lifejackets

.1 (dependent on type of lifejacket used )

.......... - pull the lifejacket over your head

.......... - tighten the strings well

.......... - pull the strings around your waist and tie in front.

.2 Follow closely the demonstration given by the officer / crew. The crew members will help you if necessary.

.3 Carefully study the demonstration in the pictures in your cabins.

.4 Carefully study the demonstration in the diagram at the assembly station.

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2.5 Instructions on how to embark and behave in lifeboats / liferafts

.1 Enter the lifeboat / liferaft only when ordered by an officer / lifeboatman.

.2 Clear the entrance of the lifeboat / liferaft immediately after entering.

.3 Do not push each other when entering the lifeboat / liferaft.

.4 Hold on to ropes or to your seat when lowering / hoisting.

.5 Sit down in the lifeboat / liferaft immediately.

.6 Keep your lifejackets on.

.7 Provisions and drinking water will be distributed by an officer / lifeboatman only.

.8 Strictly obey all instructions given by the officer / lifeboatman.

.9 Discipline in the lifeboat / liferaft is of vital importance.

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2.6 On-scene measures and actions in lifeboats / liferafts

.1 Keep a sharp lookout for persons in the water.

.2 Have a line / hook / knife / lifebuoy ready.

.3 Do not take off your shirts / long trousers / head covering whatever the weather.

.4 Pump out the water / free the lifeboat / liferaft from water.

.5 Who needs medical first aid?

.6 Everybody will get the same ration of provisions and water.

.7 Warning! Do not drink sea water whatever the situation.

.8 We will send a MAYDAY.

.9 We will fire rockets / use smoke buoys / ..... to attract attention.

.10 We will join the other lifeboats / liferafts.

3.1 Informing on present situation

.1 The vessel was abandoned in position .... due to fire / grounding / collision / flooding / heavy list / serious damage / ... .

.2 Keep calm. There is no reason to panic. The officers / lifeboatmen know exactly what to do.

.3 There are enough life-saving appliances for everyone on board.

.4 The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre/vessels in the vicinity have already been informed of our situation.

.5 Vessels / helicopters / aircraft are coming to our rescue.

.6 Vessels / helicopters / aircraft will reach us within ...... hours.

.7 We have radio contact with rescue craft.

.8 There are enough provisions and drinking water for 48 hours.

.9 You obtain medicine for seasickness from the lifeboatman.

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3.2 Escorting helpless passengers

.1 ...... persons are missing.

.2 Search all cabins / WCs/showers for missing persons.

.3 Assist those who need help.

.4 Help children, elderly, disabled, injured or sick persons with lifejackets.

.5 Give assistance when entering lifeboats / liferafts.

.6 We require warm clothing and blankets for the children / elderly / disabled / injured / sick.

.7 We require a stretcher for the disabled / injured / sick.

.8 All persons, please move closer.

.8.1 ..... The elderly / disabled / injured / sick need room to lie down.

.9 Everyone, please, be quiet. The children / the sick need rest.