With reference to the SOLAS requirements for conducting regular emergency musters and drills: (a) state the accepted emergency signal for calling crew and passengers to lifeboat muster stations;(2) (b) state when emergency drills must be carried out;(4) (c) list FOUR types of emergency drill that must be conducted on a regular basis.(4)
(a) Accepted emergency signal (2 marks)
The general emergency alarm signal: seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship’s whistle and internal alarm system.
This signal is used to call all crew and passengers to their muster stations.
(b) When emergency drills must be carried out (4 marks)
Passenger ships: Musters and drills at least once a week; passengers must be instructed within 24 hours of embarkation.
Cargo ships: Musters and drills at least once every month.
If more than 25% of crew are new to the ship and have not participated in a drill within the past month, a drill must be held within 24 hours of departure.
All drills should be conducted at intervals not exceeding those required by SOLAS to maintain crew proficiency.
(c) Four types of emergency drill conducted regularly (4 marks)
Fire drills.
Abandon ship / lifeboat drills.
Oil pollution response drills (where applicable).
Enclosed space entry and rescue drills. (Other acceptable examples: man overboard, security/anti-piracy, damage control/flooding response, steering gear failure drills, etc.)
