Muster drill facts for kids
A muster drill is like a practice run for an emergency on a cruise ship. It's sometimes called a lifeboat drill. The main goal is to teach passengers what to do if there's a real problem, like a fire or if the ship needs to be left quickly.
During the drill, special crew members called muster station leaders explain important safety information. They show you how to put on a life jacket. They also tell you where your specific muster station is. A muster station is a special meeting point on the ship where you go during an emergency.
Every cruise ship must complete a muster drill before it leaves the port. This makes sure everyone knows what to do right away. For ferries, a full drill isn't always needed, but they do make important safety announcements before sailing. In the past, passengers often had to wear life jackets during the drill. Now, most cruise lines do not require you to wear them for the practice.
Emergency Alarm Signal
Before a muster drill begins, the captain will make announcements over the ship's loudspeaker. They usually give warnings 30 minutes and 15 minutes before the drill starts. They also announce just before the emergency alarm sounds.
The general emergency alarm has a special sound. It's seven short blasts followed by one long blast. This sound comes from the ship's horn or whistle. There are also alarms built inside the ship. These inside alarms often play a musical note, sometimes combined with another note to make a clearer sound.
This specific signal helps everyone know it's a real emergency or a drill.
Related Safety Drills
Images for kids
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A muster drill in progress on the Coral Princess
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International Maritime Organization muster station sign
