Navigation and Seamanship (1+1)

Abandon Ship

Emergency Signal : Seven or More than Seven Short Blasts followed by “One Long Blast”.

The emergency alarm signal is sounded from the bridge or other strategic points on electrically operated bells or Klaxons fitted in the accommodation and working spaces and also on ship’s whistle. It is not a signal to abandon ship but only a signal to indicate that the ship is in danger and may have to be abandoned shortly and therefore all preparations for abandoning ship should be made.

On hearing this signal all hands should put on their life jackets and proceed to their regular boat stations, except those persons who have been assigned some special duties such as closing water tight doors, bringing portable wireless set from bridge to motorboat, closing portable wireless set from bridge to motorboat, closing porthole dead lights etc. etc. A tally is taken by the coxswain of each lifeboat/liferaft to see that all hands assingned to his craft can be accounted for. The boats are then prepared for embarking passengers and crew.

An then , if time permits (which can be ascertained from the Bridge) the Cox’n should instruct all hands under his charge to drink plenty of water. Because no water will be issued in the survival crafts for the first 24 hours. The following extra equipment should also, if possible, be put in the lifeboats:

1) Ship’s distress rockets and flares that have not been used.

2) As many blankets as available.

3) Some medicine like seasickness tablets, multivitamin tablets, bandages, pain killing medicines, etc., from ship’s medical chest.

4) Some extra food, like biscuits, sugar cubes, tinned milk, jam and tinned fruits (but not tinned flesh or salty foods).

5) Some extra fuel for the motor-boat.

Put on plenty of warm clothing. Also put on an immersion suit or thermal protective aid if provide. Otherwise put on your rain coat, hand gloves and a woolen cap. These clothes will reduce loss of body heat, even if they get wet or even if your are in water. More survivors die due to loss of body heat (hypothermia) than due to drowning or lack of drinking water. Death due to lack of food is very rate. After putting the extra equipment in the boats, tally your hands again and await the abandon ship signal, praying that it will never come.