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Video: What’s Inside a Ship’s Lifeboat?

If you are on a ship that’s about to sink, have you ever wondered what equipment or supplies you would have to survive in a lifeboat? Nowadays, ships always carry enough survival craft for everyone onboard. Whether it’s a partially enclosed lifeboat on a cruise ship or a free-fall lifeboat on a chemical tanker, the equipment you will find inside is broadly the same.

It’s actually written down in International law in a publication called the International Life-Saving Appliance code (LSA Code). The code tells us about all sorts of life-saving equipment like Life Jackets, Lifebuoys, Immersion suits, flares and the Survival Crafts. It tells us, for example, that lifeboats must be able to travel fully loaded at 6 knots for 24 hours or 2 knots when towing a fully loaded 25 person life raft. In case the engines break, they need to have sufficient oars to make headway in calm seas, saying that, free-fall lifeboats don’t need to have oars, that makes sense because they would cause serious damage during the launch.

Let’s take a look at all the equipment that you would find inside almost all types of lifeboats. One of the first things you will find even before leaving the ship are anti-seasickness tablets . The lifeboat will have sufficient to give everyone 48 hours worth. It’s absolutely critical to take them for the simple reason that it reduces loss of fluids. Even if you don’t usually get seasick, you should still take yours because it only takes one person in a hot smelly boat, and you trigger a chain reaction.

When it’s time to launch the lifeboat, the next thing you will use is the painter . You’ll actually be provided with two painters , in the stowed position on a ship, a painter will be permanently attached to the forward end of the lifeboat. The idea is that should the lifeboat need to launch when the ship has headway, the painter will keep it pointing forwards, so that it doesn’t capsize. You’ll likely need to release that painter to get away, hence the spare, it gives you a line that can be used for anything, like towing life rafts, etc.

To maintain the boat’s position near the ship, you will have to deploy the Sea Anchor . A sea anchor is like a large cloth bucket that’s designed to stream ahead of the lifeboat. When there’s any wind, the boat will tend to get blown along. Adding the resistance from a sea anchor to the forward end will keep your bow pointing into the weather, it makes the boat more comfortable and slows your rate of drift away from the ship’s position.

In case the sea anchor breaks, you can improvise with some of your other equipment. You have a buoyant bailer and two buckets . Obviously these are provided primarily for getting the water out of the boat but you can always tie a bucket to the end of the spare painter and you’ve got an improvised sea anchor.

Once you have settled in the lifeboat held in position with the sea anchor, the hope is that rescue will come quickly. You will want to draw as much attention to your boat as you can. It’s likely that rescuers are using RADAR, so you want to do all you can to show up. You have a Radar Reflector , so get that hoisted as high as you can. It uses the Cat’s eye effect to return electromagnetic pulses back to their sender, painting a clear image on their radar screen. The higher you get it, the better. Strap it to the end of an ore or use one of the two boat hooks , also part of your required kit to get it even higher in the air. Of course, if you have a SART (Search and Rescue Transponder), use that instead of the reflector, never use both at the same time though as the reflector can block your own SART transmission.

In a way it is easier at night though because lights show up so clearly against a dark sky. You have a search light which is incredibly bright. You even have a torch and spare bulb and batteries , if you fancy communicating with a bit of morse code. There is always the old classic, a whistle as well.

Ideally you will rescued quite quickly near to where your ship sank, but what if rescue doesn’t come, what else does the lifeboat have to help you survive?

The basics like food and water of course, there are three liters of water per person , possibly also rain water collectors or solar stills to increase the supply. To measure it out there is a rust-proof graduated drinking vessel and to make sure you can get it out of the tanks and containers, a rust-proof dipper with a lanyard .

Every lifeboat also has a set of fishing tackle , it is actually there for morale reasons rather than for food. It gives you something to do, eating raw fish would dehydrate you so you wouldn’t actually consider that unless you have established a plentiful supply of water already. Of course, you can always increase the food and water supplies by taking more with you when you abandon ship, this has been thought of as well, which is why you have 3 tin openers on the lifeboat, the last thing you’d want is to have some tin fruit and be unable to open it.

The final bits of equipment, all deals with different emergencies that you might have onboard. Needing to rescue people from the water is a distinct possibility, you have 2 rescue quoits with 30 meters of buoyant line , you can throw them towards anyone in the water, then pull them back on board. If they are cold, you can wrap them in a thermal protective aid , every boat has at least two , though boats designed for more than 20 people will have extras so that 10% of the occupants could have one.

If anyone is injured, there’s a first aid kit . For fires, you have an extinguisher that can cope with Class B or oil fires, should it really take hold, there are two hatchets , stored one at each end so you could break out of the boat if needed. It’s more likely that you’d use the hatchets to chop things like a stubborn painter. For smaller ropes, fabrics, food and things, you’ve got a jack knife . For anything that goes wrong with the machinery, you have got a basic set of tools for minor adjustments.

We have covered a lot, so it’s unlikely that you would remember all of this if you ever did have to be in a lifeboat. Fortunately they have even thought of that and there is a survival manual and a life saving signals card .

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finally, to summarize here is a list of lifeboat equipment which is standard for any type of lifeboat:

A complement of buoyant oars , sufficient to make headway in calm seas (except for free-fall lifeboats).
Anti-seasickness tablets sufficient for each person for 48 hours.
Two painters.
One Illuminated compass.
One Sea anchor.
One buoyant bailer.
Two buckets.
One Radar reflector.
Two boat hooks.
Four rocket parachute flares.
Six hand flares.
Two buoyant smoke signals.
One Signaling mirror.
One Searchlight.
One electric torch suitable for Morse signaling with spare batteries and bulb (in a waterproof container).
One whistle.
Three liters of water per person in watertight packs or containers.
One Rust-proof graduated drinking vessel.
One Rust-proof dipper with a lanyard.
A food ration with an energy value of at least 10,000 kJ (2390 Calories) for each person the lifeboat is designed to hold, packed in airtight and waterproof packaging.
One set of fishing tackle.
Three tin openers.
Two rescue quoits with 30 meters of buoyant line.
Thermal protective aids, two or for 10% of occupants, whichever is greater.
One first aid kit in a resealable waterproof container.
Fire extinguishing equipment suitable for liquid fires.
Two hatchets.
One jack knife attached by a lanyard.
Tools for adjustments.
One survival manual.
One copy of life saving signals on waterproof paper.

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Cruise Ship Lifeboats

Ever since I took a cruise to Bermuda from New York, I always wondered how we would survive if we had a problem on the cruise ship and used the Life Boats. Would there be food and medical supplies on board and enough to survive? What is inside modern cruise ship lifeboats?

Modern Life Boats, whose mandatory contents are regulated & inspected by SOLAS are driven by a diesel engine & come equipped with emergency equipment, pyrotechnics, air supply, hand flairs, pure drinking H2O, and food rations, tools & a compass.

I once went on a cruise and found myself on the top-level trying to sneak a peek into one. The Life Boats were harnessed on the top level of the ship and were hanging over the side. There were Life Rafts along with the Lifeboats and crew members were not allowed to go on them told me they were very important in the role of the ship’s safety inspections that were done regularly.

Table of Contents

Do Cruise Ships Have Enough Lifeboats

Throughout the world, the International Convention For The Safety Of Life At Sea or SOLAS is an International Maritime Safety Treaty that sets all standards for Cruise Ships. One of the most important agreements in the regulations regarding Life Boats and Passenger/Crew drills that are performed before each trip.

The regulations require that each side of the Ship have enough accommodations for 37.5 % of the total number of persons on board. Meaning passengers and crew members. That is 75% in total. Inflatable or ridged Liferafts must accommodate the remaining 25% of passengers and crew.

Many Cruise Ships like the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas carry more boat capacity than is required . But it is still not enough, so Liferafts are added in, to accommodate all total capacity even if a significant number of lifeboats have some difficulty in the event of an emergency.

For international voyages, the Cruise Ship has to have enough Life Boat capacity, but for shorter voyages, they might not. they are required to have 125 % capacity using Life Boats and Liferafts. So all Cruise Ships will have, by law what they term LSA or Life Saving Appliances for the total capacity of 125% of all the people on board.

Life Raft Equipment

Liferafts are collapsible and stored in a heavy-duty fiberglass canister. They contain high-pressure gas that will automatically inflate the raft. SOLAS and the Military regulation require the gas and the Liferaft to be sealed.

The Liferaft can never be opened or tampered with by the crew or any personnel for the Cruise Line. The Gas has to be sent out to be inspected at the facility periodically. On-site inspections certify all mandatory equipment on the Boats and ensure that all the required contents are there.

Modern Life Boats have motors but liferafts will not. Larger Life Boats will use a launching System. There may be multiple Life Boats on one System. They normally require a human to launch. Life Boat Launching will normally take longer and have a higher risk of failing due to a human factor. The Life Boats don’t have inflation system failures but the Inflatable Life rafts do.

Ships engaged in International Voyages must have partially or totally enclosed Life Boats. for 50% of the total capacity of the people on board at each side. That means 100% Ridged or Inflatable Liferafts for at least 25 % of the people on board.

Ships engaged in Short International Voyages must have Partially or enclosed Life Boats for 30% of the total capacity of people on board. Plus the number of Life rafts necessary to obtain a total of 100% Rigid or Inflatable Liferafts for a total of 25% of the total number of people on board the Cruise Ship.

Free Fall Lifeboat

When the hatch is closed the bolt is released and dropped to the sea together with the ship’s personnel inside the covered craft. The boats also have a diesel engine that will allow the crew to steer themselves away to a safe location.

Freefall lifeboats that are mounted on offshore platforms and tankers are fire-protected and they are made to be airtight and to drive right through the flames of a burning sea disaster,

They are equipped with a pump that will spray seawater over the vessel to protect it from fire and a pressurized air tank that will supply air to the engines during the passage on the ocean.

Freefall Life Boats are used for their capability to launch instantly and are highly reliable during the escape, Since 2006 they are required on bulk carriers and tankers that are in danger of sinking too rapidly for conventional lifeboats to be released.

Complete Updated List of Mandatory Lifeboat Contents

Except for free-fall lifeboats, sufficient buoyant oars , so as to make headway in calm seas. Boat hooks = Two One buoyant bailer and two buckets. Survival manual = One Operational magnetic compass = One Sea Anchor = One Efficient painters = Two (Length should be twice the distance from the storage position to the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition or 15 meters whichever is greater.) Hatchets = Two

Watertight receptacles containing 3 liters of water for each person the boat is permitted to accommodate. Rustproof dipper with lanyard = One Rustproof graduated drinking vessel = One Food ration totaling not less than 10,000 KJoule per person. Rocket parachute flares = Four Hand flares = Six Buoyant Smoke Signals = Two Waterproof electric torch, suitable for morse code with spare battery = One Daylight Signalling mirror = One Copy of life-saving signals = One Whistle = One = One

Anti-sea-sickness medicine = 6 doses for each person the boat is permitted to accommodate. Sea-sickness bag = 1 for each person the boat is permitted to accommodate. Jack Knife = One Tin Openers = Three Buoyant rescue quoits = Two If the lifeboat is not self-bailing then one = One set Sufficient tools for minor adjustments. Portable fire extinguishing equipment. Search Light = One = One Thermal Protective Aids = 10 % of the number of people the boat is permitted to accommodate or Two, whichever is greater.

What is a Muster Drill

Every single passenger on the cruise ship must also take part in a mandatory safety drill or “muster” before the ship set sail. The muster involves learning how to locate and wear your life jacket, and how to get to the escape routes . In the drill, the crew will tell you where to find your Life Boat. Life Boats are arranged according to where your rooms are located on the ship. If you have ever been on a Cruise Ship no matter how big or small you will remember this drill and try on your life jacket that is always too small.

This drill is required by international law established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a branch of the United Nations.

The drill must take place within 24 hours of the ship leaving its first port and is also mandatory under CLIA’s policy. There are no exceptions. All cruise lines have to follow regulations called Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) , which were instituted following the sinking of the Titanic.

The Cruise Ships of today are governed by I nternational Laws and are enforced by the Coast Guard. The ships have plenty of room for every passenger and crew member on board. The Life Boats and Life Rafts of today are safe and well equipped for spending countless hours on the high sea and protected by the dangerous elements that years ago during the day of the Titanic, would have been a risky venture.

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References:

International Maritime Organization- IMO- Whats New

Cruise Critic- What is SOLAS

What Is In A Lifeboat?

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The equipment required inside a ship’s lifeboat is defined within the International Lifesaving Appliances (LSA) Code. This code is published by the International Maritime Organisation , and among other things, tells you what equipment needs to be present inside a lifeboat.

Inside a lifeboat, you will find:

3L of water per person
Dipper & drinking vessel
2390 Calories of food per person
Fishing tackle
First aid kit
48h of seasickness per person
Thermal protective aids
Oars & boat hooks
Survival manual
Pyrotechnic flares
Electric torch
Signalling mirror
Life-saving signals poster
3 tin openers
2 rescue quoits
Manual bilge pump
Fire extinguisher
Searchlight
Radar reflector

Food and Drink in a Lifeboat

Lifeboats are designed to contain enough food and drink to sustain the occupants until rescue arrives.

Out of all the rations onboard, water is the most important. Each occupant is allocated 3 litres of fresh water overall. Official advice is to not issue any water for the first 24 hours, unless an individual is injured / pregnant / sick etc. After that, the ration is for 500ml water per day. 3 litres of water should be enough to survive for 1 week.

There is a rustproof dipper and a rustproof graduated drinking vessel provided to ensure water is given out fairly, in the correct quantities.

Each occupant is provided with 10,000 kJ of food, in the form of emergency rations. The most common ones I’ve seen have been Seven Oceans Emergency Rations, which you can see closer on Amazon here: Severn Oceans Emergency Food Rations .

Consumption of food on board is not strictly essential. A human can survive for weeks without consuming any food, assuming they have access to fresh water. The rations are mainly there to increase morale, and potentially give a boost of energy before rescue.

If you are going to be climbing up a ladder to a rescue ship, it is a good idea to have a source of energy immediately available before attempting the climb.

Supplementary Food

One of the things you do in an emergency is to take any food and water you can to the survival craft with you. On ships, one of the emergency duties is to take as much from the store rooms as you can.

Tin openers are provided on each lifeboat for exactly this reason. The last thing you would want is to have lots of tinned food and water available, but have no way of accessing it.

What About Fishing?

The sea itself is a huge source of food. It is full of marine life, which could be turned into food.

Indeed, you’ll be able to find a set of fishing tackle inside every lifeboat.

The fishing tackle is actually included for morale purposes rather than for a source of food though. Theoretically, you could survive by eating fish, but you would have to establish a better source of water first. Eating raw fish increases the amount of water your body consumes.

The best use for the fishing tackle is to give people a job to do. Having a solid routine in place will increase morale, and subsequently increase your chance of survival.

Medical Equipment in a Lifeboat

Lifeboats all contain a first aid kit that has all of your standard first aid equipment. You are not going to be able to perform surgery or issue drugs, but you will be able to do the basics.

It contains things like bandages; plasters; dressings etc. Basically, just enough to deal with small injuries that could occur within the lifeboat.

One important medical item that is included is anti-seasickness tablets. One of the first things you will do on entering the lifeboat is to make sure everyone has taken them. This is mainly because seasickness will result in the body losing water unnecessarily.

The other reason for anti-seasickness medication is that it keeps the lifeboat more sanitary. It is a lot easier to keep a lifeboat clean and hygienic if no one inside is seasick.

Navigation Equipment in a Lifeboat

A ship’s lifeboat is expected to be able to navigate independently. To do that, it needs both machinery and navigation equipment. All the machinery considerations are set out in international conventions. You can read about UK requirements by clicking here .

For example, the boat needs to have enough fuel onboard to travel at 6 knots for at least 24 hours. It also needs to be able to tow a 25 man liferaft at a minimum of 2 knots.

Should the engine stop, buoyant oars are provided. Each lifeboat must have enough oars to make headway through the water. There isn’t a specified number, you just need enough to make way through the water.

As for the navigation equipment, the main requirement is an illuminated compass. The compass helps the coxswain to keep the boat on a steady heading. This is essential at night if there are waves and swell. You want to keep the boat pointing towards the worst of the weather.

To help with manoeuvring, securing yourself to other boats, or towing liferafts, there are two painters provided. The painter is a rope that attaches to the bow of the lifeboat and can be used to pull it along. Painters are critical for launching if a ship is moving ahead. The lifeboat will be secured to the ship by the painter so that when it touches the water it is pulled forward.

Should you experience heavy weather and be unable to propel the boat, a sea anchor is provided. This is sometimes known as a drogue, and it just keeps the boat pointing into the weather. You can attach it to the painter, then stream it ahead of the boat. As the wind blows the lifeboat backwards, the sea anchor pulls on the bow. This just acts to keep the bow pointing towards the wind.

Emergency Equipment in a Lifeboat

The whole purpose of a lifeboat is to survive in an emergency. Not only do you want to survive the emergency of abandoning ship, but you also need to survive any emergencies that may occur within the lifeboat itself. To help, you are provided with a survival manual and lots of equipment.

As it is a boat, you need a way of removing any water that gets on board. Either the lifeboat will be self-bailing, or you will be given a manual bilge pump. In addition to that, there will be a bailer and two buckets.

To help rescue people in the water, there are two rescue quoits, each with 30m of floating line. The idea is that they can be thrown towards survivors. The survivor will put their arm through the ring and can then be pulled towards the boat. As they get closer, there are 2 boat hooks to help get them on board. Once back onboard, you have at least 2 thermal protective aids (TPAs) to help keep them warm. On larger capacity boats, you need enough TPAs for 10% of the occupants, so 15 on a typical 150 person lifeboat.

Should there be a fire, there is a fire extinguisher, or other fire fighting equipment suitable for liquid fires. There are also two hatchets (small axes), located at each end of the boat. They can be used to break up any fires, cut ropes or break out of a jammed hatch.

More generally, you have a jack knife on a lanyard and some basic tools for adjustments. The intention of these is to give the occupants enough to be able to be creative with their equipment. For example, they may cut off part of the canopy to make a solar still or rain water capture device. With some basic tools, the possibilities are endless.

Emergency Signalling Equipment in a Lifeboat

Inside each lifeboat there is a copy of life saving signals on waterproof paper. This is a document that shows distress signals, and tells you how to communicate with an overflying aircraft.

MCA lifesaving signals poster that is displayed on ships

To actually attract attention, lifeboats are provided with pyrotechnics. You have 6 hand flares, 4 rocket parachute flares, and two buoyant orange smoke signals. I have described the use of flares in this article: What Are The Requirements For Flares On A Boat? .

To increase the visibility of the lifeboat on radar, there is a radar reflector. You need to mount it as high as possible, maybe using a boat hook or an oar as a mast. The idea is that it will return a radar pulse straight back to the vessel sending it so it is clearer on their screen.

For rescue at night, you have a searchlight and a torch. Both can be used to signal ships and aircraft, or for rescuing people from the water.

In the daytime, you have a daylight signalling mirror. You can use it to reflect sunlight towards a ship or aircraft.

Finally, you are provided with a whistle or equivalent sound signal. It could be as simple as a hand held whistle, or it could be an air powered horn. As every life jacket should also have its own whistle, you should have plenty of items on board for attracting attention by sound.

What is Inside a Cruise Ship Lifeboat?

Cruise ship lifeboats contain the same resources as every other lifeboat. The only difference is that they will have enough supplies for 150 passengers and crew. There will be more food and water rations, more TPAs, and more first aid kits.

They are also likely to be built stronger than a lifeboat for a cargo ship. The greater capacity means additional strength is needed for it to meet structural requirements.

Do Lifeboats have Toilets?

Lifeboats do not have toilets.

One of the priorities in a lifeboat is to make sanitary arrangements. This could just involve using a bucket at the bow of the boat. If there is additional material available, it is possible to fashion a privacy screen. The priority in the boat is survival though, so you just need to improvise as best you can.

Lifeboats on Cruise Ships: Safety, Capacity, and Amenities

Lifeboats on Cruise Ships: The brightly colored lifeboats on the sides are immediately noticeable to anyone who has ever taken a cruise or seen one. And if you’re anything like me, you undoubtedly have a lot of inquiries concerning lifeboats on cruise ships.

I mean, are lifeboats available to accommodate everyone? What is the capacity of the lifeboat? Will the lifeboats on a cruise save your life in an emergency?

You’d be glad to hear that lifeboats for cruise ships have advanced significantly and are now extremely well-designed in the extremely (very!!) unlikely case of an emergency.

If you’re curious about lifeboats or worried about your safety, you might have more questions. How dependable are the tiny boats? Which supplies are transported on board? Are there restrooms available?

To make you feel secure and comfortable when embarking on your next trip, here are the most important things to know about cruise ship lifeboats.

How does a lifeboat look?

The orange or yellow watercraft that line the ship’s sides are known as lifeboats. Many cruise ships have two major types of lifeboats: lifeboat tenders and enclosed lifeboats. Most lifeboats on cruise ships are enclosed, strong vessels with exceptional watertight integrity that can readily right themselves if pushed around by strong waves.

The two primary purposes of lifeboat tenders, which are partially covered, are to transport passengers from the ship to the land in the event of a port call in which the vessel is unable to dock and to act as a lifeboat in an emergency. Cruise ships often have just enough lifeboat tenders to run port tender service, with the remaining lifeboats being the typical enclosed lifeboats, because lifeboat tenders are more expensive to maintain than traditional lifeboats.

There are rows of seats within a lifeboat, some of which may or may not have seatbacks. Toward the top of the boat is a steering section with windows and a hatch. Enclosed lifeboats only have windows in the steering compartment, while lifeboat tenders include windows so they can see outside from their seats, according to lifeboat manufacturer Fassmer. There is no way to open these windows.

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How many lifeboats can a cruise ship typically hold?

Large groups of people can be securely accommodated in lifeboats because to their special design.

The typical lifeboat that is seen on many cruise ships has a capacity of about 150 people. In the case of an emergency, passengers can be swiftly and effectively evacuated thanks to this number.

Larger lifeboats, however, are now required due to the introduction of larger cruise liners. Because of this, lifeboats on some of the bigger, more recent ships can hold up to 370 people. It’s crucial to remember that strict safety rules and regulations are used to define these capacities.

These requirements take into account not only the quantity of seats but also the presence of vital life-saving gear inside the lifeboat, guaranteeing that all occupants have access to supplies and protective gear.

Are inflatable life rafts available on cruise ships?

Cruise ship inflatable life rafts are available for the remaining 25% of passengers who cannot fit in the standard lifeboats. Although visitors can also use rafts if needed, these are usually reserved for staff members, with guests boarding the lifeboats first.

When deployed, collapsible cruise ship life rafts typically use a high-pressure gas to automatically inflate while being kept in fiberglass canisters. Life rafts lack motors, but lifeboats do. But they are equipped with oars. Although they are less frequent on large cruise ships, stiff, non-inflatable life rafts are still available on ships.

A Marine Evacuation System, which transfers passengers from the embarkation deck to an autonomously inflated raft in the water using a fully enclosed inflatable spiral slide, may be utilized in conjunction with life rafts on more recent cruise ships.

Cruise ships include spare life rafts to cover in case any lifeboats are destroyed or cannot be lowered in an emergency. According to SOLAS, there must be an extra 25 percent of the ship’s capacity in life rafts. Additionally, lifeboats and life rafts on cruise ships are intended to deploy even in the event of a 20-degree list.

On cruise ships, where are lifeboats located?

Lifeboats are situated outdoors on both sides of the cruise ship, usually kept on or slightly above a middle deck, with an accessible outdoor promenade for people to board. This position is perfect because it’s close to a lot of public indoor and outdoor activities and services, as well as the upper- and lower-deck cabins.

Additionally, it functions well since it raises the lifeboats high enough above the sea so that they won’t obstruct the ship’s docking path or be impacted by choppy waves. However, as no one wants to see a lifeboat from their upper-deck suite or the lido pool, it keeps them low enough so they don’t have to be lowered the whole height of the ship.

Passengers should not go straight to the lifeboats in an emergency. Instead, each cabin is given an assembly station where, if an evacuation is judged necessary, they will meet up with crew members and be directed to a lifeboat. To locate their assembly station and get familiar with the ship’s emergency protocols, passengers are required to participate in a muster drill. Before a cruise ship may depart, these exercises have to be completed.

What kind of items are in a lifeboat?

The majority of the items on a cruise ship lifeboat are listed below, however it’s not all-inclusive, per the LSA:

Enough fuel to travel at 6 knots for at least a full day (24 hours)
48 hours’ worth of anti-seasickness medication per person
2 seasickness bags per person
3 liters of fresh water per person
2,390 calories’ worth of food rations per person
Life jackets
Enough thermal protective aid suits for 10% of the lifeboat’s capacity
Three can openers
First aid supplies
Buoyant oars
Illuminated compass
Hand and parachute flares
Smoke signals
Survival manual
One whistle
One jackknife
One searchlight that can work continuously for at least three hours
Portable fire extinguishing equipment
Fishing gear
Tools to repair the engine

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Exist restrooms aboard lifeboats?

The 370-person catamaran lifeboats that are utilized on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships are equipped with restrooms, while traditional 150-person lifeboats do not.

What additional specifications apply to lifeboats on cruise ships?

According to SOLAS, lifeboats on cruise ships have to be constructed from noncombustible and flame-retardant materials. Fiberglass is typically used to make lifeboats nowadays. Every seat in the lifeboat must be able to support a person weighing at least 220 pounds. Furthermore, the lifeboats and the cables that raise and lower them need to be strong enough to enable the lifeboat to be lowered to its maximum depth.

How do lifeboats undergo testing?

Water weights are used in lifeboat testing during the production process to simulate the weight of passengers at different locations throughout the vessel. These water weights have remote pumps that fill and empty them with water. During the testing phase, they are positioned throughout the lifeboat to collect data on how the craft would manage passenger weight in various settings and circumstances.

The testing and inspections continue even after a lifeboat is delivered to the shipyard for installation on a vessel. Like any equipment, lifeboats may experience wear and tear and degradation over time due to weather, time, and use during the cruise ship’s lifetime. For this reason, SOLAS stipulates that lifeboat training and inspections must occur regularly.

To keep their knowledge of lifeboat operations up to date, members of the cruise crew participate in frequent training as well as weekly and monthly lifeboat inspections.

Every year, a more comprehensive check is conducted, either by an inspector from the lifeboat maker or by a qualified lifeboat technician from a different business. The International Maritime Organization states that an inspection of five crucial elements is a part of this process:

The hull is inspected for cracks, damage or other defects.
The propulsion system, including the engine, is inspected to ensure it’s in good working condition. The cooling, exhaust and fuel systems are also examined.
The electrical system, including the battery, charging, lighting and communications systems, are checked for defects or malfunctions.
The maneuvering system is inspected, including the steering mechanism, the rudder and other steering gear.
Lifeboat equipment, such as life jackets and survival equipment, is examined to ensure it’s in good condition.
The davit and winch system, including the winch and wire ropes, are checked for defects or damage.
The lifeboat undergoes a load test to ensure that it can withstand its maximum weight of crew and passengers.

During the inspection, any systems or equipment that are discovered to have flaws or shortcomings are either replaced or rectified.

It is highly unlikely that any cruiser will ever experience a situation that necessitates lifeboat evacuation. Nevertheless, knowing that your ship is equipped with safety features will ease your worry when you embark on your next trip.

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Cruise ship lifeboats and rafts: How your ship is prepared for an emergency

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Do cruise ships have enough lifeboats for everyone?

It’s a question that comes to many cruisers’ minds, especially if they’re hesitant about sailing across oceans and seas, far from land.

You can rest assured that cruise lines have many safety systems in place in the rare instance that a major emergency occurs at sea. Among these systems are, of course, the brightly colored lifeboats that you’ll see lining the sides of your ship. Not only are they there to carry passengers to safety if the ship needs to be abandoned, but they’re also used as tender boats in a port where the ship can’t dock at a pier.

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You may have other questions about lifeboats, either from curiosity or safety concerns. How reliable are the small vessels? What supplies are on board? Do they have restrooms?

Here are the top things to know about cruise ship lifeboats, so you’ll feel safe and confident when heading out on your next voyage.

What does a lifeboat look like?

Lifeboats are orange or yellow watercraft that you’ll find lining the sides of the ship. You’ll find two main types of lifeboats on many cruise ships: enclosed lifeboats and lifeboat tenders. The majority of cruise ship lifeboats are enclosed lifeboats, which are tough and built with superior watertight integrity, with the ability to easily right themselves if tossed around by rough waves.

Lifeboat tenders are partially enclosed and are designed for two main functions: to serve as a lifeboat if needed and to ferry guests from the ship to the shore during a port call where the vessel can’t dock. Lifeboat tenders are more expensive to maintain than traditional lifeboats, so cruise ships will usually have just enough lifeboat tenders to operate port tender service while the rest are the standard enclosed lifeboats.

The interior of a lifeboat includes rows of seating, which may or may not have a seatback. A steering area with windows and a hatch is located toward the top of the vessel. According to lifeboat manufacturer Fassmer, enclosed lifeboats have no windows besides those in the steering area, while lifeboat tenders have windows for viewing the surroundings from the seats. These windows do not open.

Fun fact: When Disney Cruise Line launched in the ‘90s, regulations required all cruise ship lifeboats to be orange. However, Disney wanted the exteriors of its ships to match the colors of Mickey Mouse, so it requested an exemption to paint its lifeboats yellow to match Mickey’s shoes.

The U.S. Coast Guard granted the unique request, and the lifeboats were painted in Mickey’s yellow, Pantone 99, which is a patented color that only Disney can use. Since then, other lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Costa Cruises , have painted their lifeboats yellow.

What’s the typical capacity of cruise ship lifeboats?

The maximum capacity of a cruise ship lifeboat is 150 people, according to the International Maritime Organization’s International Life-Saving Appliance Code. Most cruise ships have lifeboats that can hold this maximum number of passengers because it is easier, more cost-effective and takes up less space to have fewer large lifeboats instead of a greater number of smaller ones.

Despite the LSA’s 150-person capacity limit for lifeboats, an exception allows for larger lifeboats on some of the world’s largest cruise ships.

Related: Are cruises safe? Here’s what you need to know about cruise ship security and safety

Royal Caribbean’s massive Oasis of the Seas, which holds 8,880 passengers and crew members in total, was the first ship to use 370-person CRV55 catamaran lifeboats (or “rescue vessels”), designed and built by marine life-saving equipment company Umoe Schat-Harding. The enclosed vessels are unique in that they can be lowered directly from their storage position on the ship into the water (no moving outward needed), and passengers can board on two levels simultaneously, reducing the loading time. Their catamaran-style hull increases stability, while twin diesel engines and twin propellers allow these “mega” lifeboats to move at speeds of up to 6 knots.

On a cruise ship, there must be enough lifeboats to accommodate 37.5% of passengers and crew members on either side (75% total), according to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. What happens to the other 25%? This leads us to our next question.

Do cruise ships carry inflatable life rafts?

The remaining 25% of passengers that can’t be accommodated in the traditional lifeboats can use cruise ship inflatable life rafts. These are generally designated for crew members, while guests will board the lifeboats first — though rafts can also be used for guests if necessary.

Collapsible cruise ship life rafts are stored in fiberglass canisters and usually utilize a high-pressure gas to automatically inflate once deployed. While lifeboats have motors, life rafts do not. They do, however, have oars. Ships may also carry rigid, noninflatable life rafts, but they aren’t as common for large cruise vessels.

On newer cruise ships, life rafts may be used with a Marine Evacuation System, which utilizes a fully enclosed inflatable spiral slide to transfer passengers from the embarkation deck to an automatically inflated raft in the water.

If some lifeboats become damaged or can’t be lowered during an emergency, cruise ships have extra life rafts to pick up the slack. SOLAS requires that there are enough additional life rafts for 25% of the ship’s capacity. Cruise ships have also been designed to allow lifeboats and life rafts to deploy even if the ship is listing up to 20 degrees.

Where are lifeboats located on cruise ships?

Lifeboats are located outside on both sides of the cruise ship, typically stored on or just above one of the middle decks with an outdoor promenade so passengers can easily board them. This spot is ideal because it’s a central location for both the upper- and lower-deck cabins, as well as many public indoor and outdoor venues and amenities.

It also works because it keeps the lifeboats high enough out of the water that they won’t be in the way when the ship docks and most likely won’t be affected by rough waves. On the flip side, it keeps them low enough that they don’t have to be lowered the entire height of the ship (plus, no one wants a lifeboat view from the lido pool or their upper-deck suite).

In an emergency, passengers should not head directly to the lifeboats. Instead, every cabin is assigned an assembly station, where they will meet with crew members and be escorted to a lifeboat if an evacuation is deemed necessary. Passengers must attend a muster drill to identify their assembly station and learn about their ship’s emergency procedures. These drills must take place before a cruise ship can set sail.

Related: What is a cruise ship muster drill?

What can be found on a lifeboat?

While this list is not exhaustive, here’s most of what you’ll find on a cruise ship lifeboat, according to the LSA:

Enough fuel to travel at 6 knots for at least a full day (24 hours)
48 hours’ worth of anti-seasickness medication per person
2 seasickness bags per person
3 liters of fresh water per person
2,390 calories’ worth of food rations per person
Life jackets
Enough thermal protective aid suits for 10% of the lifeboat’s capacity
Three can openers
First aid supplies
Buoyant oars
Illuminated compass
Hand and parachute flares
Smoke signals
Survival manual
One whistle
One jackknife
One searchlight that can work continuously for at least three hours
Portable fire extinguishing equipment
Fishing gear
Tools to repair the engine

Do lifeboats have bathrooms?

Traditional 150-person lifeboats don’t have toilet facilities, but the 370-person catamaran lifeboats used on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships do.

What are other requirements for lifeboats on cruise ships?

Cruise ship lifeboats must be made of noncombustible and flame-retardant materials, according to SOLAS. Modern lifeboats are usually made of fiberglass.

All seating on the lifeboat must support a person weighing a minimum of 220 pounds. In addition, the lifeboats and the wires that move them up and down must be strong enough to allow the lifeboat to be lowered at full capacity.

How are lifeboats tested?

During the manufacturing process, lifeboats are tested using water weights, which can mimic the weight of passengers in various spots around the vessel. These water weights are pumped to fill and drain with water remotely. They’re placed in various spots in the lifeboat throughout the testing period to gather data on how the watercraft would handle passenger weight in various locations and scenarios.

Once a lifeboat is delivered to the shipyard for installation on a ship, the inspections and tests do not stop. Throughout the life of the cruise ship, time, weather and use all mean that — like with any type of equipment — things on the lifeboats will degrade and endure wear and tear over time. This is why SOLAS includes requirements for regular lifeboat drills and inspections.

Related: 15 cruise ship rules you shouldn’t break

Cruise crew members conduct weekly and monthly lifeboat inspections and undergo periodic training so lifeboat operations stay fresh in their minds.

A more thorough inspection — by either a certified lifeboat technician from an independent company or an inspector from the lifeboat manufacturer itself — occurs annually. According to the International Maritime Organization, this process includes an inspection of these key components:

The hull is inspected for cracks, damage or other defects.
The propulsion system, including the engine, is inspected to ensure it’s in good working condition. The cooling, exhaust and fuel systems are also examined.
The electrical system, including the battery, charging, lighting and communications systems, are checked for defects or malfunctions.
The maneuvering system is inspected, including the steering mechanism, the rudder and other steering gear.
Lifeboat equipment, such as life jackets and survival equipment, is examined to ensure it’s in good condition.
The davit and winch system, including the winch and wire ropes, are checked for defects or damage.
The lifeboat undergoes a load test to ensure that it can withstand its maximum weight of crew and passengers.

Any equipment or systems found to have defects or deficiencies during the inspection are either repaired or replaced.

Bottom line

The chances of passengers ever experiencing an emergency on a cruise that requires abandoning ship via lifeboats is extremely slim. Still, it’s good to know your ship is outfitted with safety equipment to give you peace of mind when taking your next cruise.

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Cruise ship lifeboats and rafts: How your ship is prepared for an emergency

Are There Enough Lifeboats On Cruise Ships To Save Every Last Passenger?

By: Author David Chapman

Posted on Last updated: October 14, 2023

Categories Health & Safety , LEARN

The Titanic disaster was more than 100 years ago, and it remains a vivid, cautionary tale. Have we truly learned from the mistakes of the past? Today, are there enough lifeboats on cruise ships sufficient to save every single person on the ship? With the combined numbers of passengers and crew, the capacity of today’s modern cruise ships are often three or four times greater than that of the Titanic.

Contemporary lifeboats are required by law to have a sufficient number of lifeboats onboard to ensure a seat on a lifeboat for every soul on board the ship. Most ships have extra lifeboats that exceed the ship’s passenger capacity to accommodate for lifeboat malfunctions, etc.

While ships are designed and regulated so that everybody is guaranteed a spot on a lifeboat should the need arise, there is no guarantee that this will always be achieved. However, the likelihood of the ship sinking is extremely low, with a far higher risk associated with everyday tasks like driving to work. The last major cruise ship disaster involving lifeboats was the Costa Concordia wreck in 2012 .

Are There Enough Lifeboats On Cruise Ships?

The number of lifeboats on cruise ships is highly regulated by SOLAS, an acronym referring to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea . Each ship must have lifeboats situated along each side of the ship, with a minimum of 37.5% of the ship’s passenger capacity accommodated on each side.

Ships will exceed this number in most cases, usually accommodating around 150% of the total number of souls on board. And all of that extra space does not sit idle. Typically, a cruise ship will use its own lifeboats as tender boats when it needs to tender passengers to shore. (If you’re not sure what a “tender” is, check out our tips for first-time cruisers .)

Why We Care About Lifeboats On Cruise Ships

The first thing that comes to mind when mentioning lifeboats on a cruise ship is the Titanic . This is because it is a well-known fact that the Titanic simply did not have enough lifeboats to accommodate all of the passengers on board.

This was mostly due to outdated regulations and the fact that it was never anticipated that every soul on board would need to leave the ship simultaneously.

Despite not having a sufficient number of lifeboats, some were broken before they could be used, and several of them left the vicinity of the sinking ship with only half the number of passengers they could have potentially carried.

The case of the Titanic has served as the ultimate precedent in ensuring that everybody on the ship has a spot on a lifeboat should the need arise to abandon the ship. And, notwithstanding what happened with the Costa Concordia, one of the essential functions of a cruise ship captain’s job is to supervise the overall safety of the ship.

If the ship runs into trouble of any sort, and the entire contingent of individuals on board need to leave the ship immediately, there must be a series of accessible lifeboats with a combined capacity for every person on the ship.

This is the only way to ensure the survival of everybody on board should the ship sink or catch fire.

What Is The Design Of A Lifeboat

Lifeboats are usually one of three designs, but the most popular is the fully enclosed option which provides protection for passengers whatever the weather conditions. Traditionally, the primary focus of a lifeboat was survival, and so the design was based solely with survival in mind.

However, these days a cruise ship’s lifeboats can be multipurpose — used to ferry passengers to the port as necessary. And, as cruise ships have grown bigger and bolder, this has carried over to the lifeboats in some instances.

For instance, Celebrity Edge had lifeboats that are downright luxurious. The Edge Launches have air conditioning, plush bucket seats, and picture window views. As Celebrity has said, the “Edge Launches are desinged to get you to your destination in luxurious style.”

Lifeboats are built out of non-combustible materials to ensure that they are flame-retardant. They are built to be completely stable even when filled to capacity, and they are able to be deployed while the ship is moving at a maximum speed of 5 knots.

How Many People Can Fit In a Lifeboat

The usual maximum capacity for lifeboats is around 150 people. This is a number that has been used for a number of years. New megaships have adopted the use of larger lifeboats that can accommodate 370 people, which means that fewer lifeboats are needed in order to meet the required capacity.

Lifeboats Today – Do They Have Enough Room For Everyone On Board

Contemporary lifeboats are carefully designed to accommodate a specific number of passengers, with a designated seat for every individual on board. No lifeboat will exceed its capacity, ensuring that there is sufficient space for everybody on board.

How Big Are Lifeboats On Cruise Ships

All lifeboats on cruise ships are usually around 7.3 meters or longer, with all seats able to support a 100 kg person (220lbs). Most lifeboats have the capacity for 150 people.

How Do Lifeboats Work On Cruise Ships

The majority of lifeboats are lowered from the boat deck on the ship (once the passengers are on board) by cradle arms that swing out and lower the boats onto the water using cables. This system is designed to lower the boat onto the water as quickly as possible to ensure that it is able to get passengers away from the ship.

Where Are The Lifeboats On a Cruise Ship?

Lifeboats are located along the sides of the ship on the deck that is the most easily accessible to the majority of the passengers and crew. This deck is usually named the boat deck, ensuring that passengers and crew know exactly where to go in the event of an emergency.

Inside Lifeboats On Cruise Ships

Lifeboats are designed with one thing in mind – survival. The design focuses on fitting in as many people as possible to ensure their survival. The center of a lifeboat is most often oval in shape, with the center area blocked out for structural elements.

There are seats around the external perimeter of the boat, with padding for the basic comfort of the passengers. Equipment is usually stored in compartments underneath the seats. The equipment includes everything needed to survive at sea while awaiting further assistance, including water, food rations, and numerous other items.

In the front center of the boat, above the diesel engine, there is the command console from where the boat’s pilot will ensure that everybody reaches safety.

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With contemporary regulations as well as strict training protocols enforced for all staff onboard a ship, you can pretty much be assured that you will have a place on a lifeboat if the ship you’re traveling on is ever in need of evacuation while you’re on board.

Regulations ensure that there are enough lifeboats to accommodate all passengers and crew onboard the ship, and an extra 50% of the ship’s passenger capacity is usually catered for in order to accommodate for any failures of lifeboats.

This includes the off chance that some lifeboats may not be deployable due to the boat listing too far to one side or for any other unforeseeable circumstances.

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Ask a Cruise Question

Cruise Ship Lifeboat Tour. What Life Saving Equipment Is Inside? How Much Food & Water?

By Capt_BJ , September 29, 2022 in Ask a Cruise Question

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mammajamma2013

Just watched this yesterday. I found it very interesting and informative. Also passed the link on to the friends who are sailing with us end of October.

Mum2Mercury

That was most informative. I genuinely feel that, knowing these things, I'd be better prepared in case of an emergency. Thanks for sharing!

I had no idea about the three-tier seating in some lifeboats. Yet another reason for me to avoid the bigger ships.

Very interesting! One needs to be fairly agile to do all of the moving around that the young woman did. Different lifeboats on other ships would have similar equipment, I am sure. But, where and how they are stored would probably differ, I expect.

16 minutes ago, lisiamc said: I had no idea about the three-tier seating in some lifeboats. Yet another reason for me to avoid the bigger ships.

Eh, I am not good in tight, enclosed spaces, so I know where you're coming from ... but I don't think the proportion of passengers to lifeboats would be any different on different sized ships.

I'm actually glad I learned about the three-tier seating because I deal better with things when I know what's coming. Remember, too, we live in a very modern world: before that lifeboat hits the water, all sorts of emergency personnel know what's going on, and they're already coming for you -- and the boats are outfitted with find-me devices. We're never going to wander the seas for weeks in one of those lifeboats hoping for a fishing vessel to pick us up.

15 minutes ago, rkacruiser said: Very interesting! One needs to be fairly agile to do all of the moving around that the young woman did. Different lifeboats on other ships would have similar equipment, I am sure. But, where and how they are stored would probably differ, I expect.

Agree that not everyone would be able to get into/out of that lifeboat easily.

To share something uncomfortable: When my daughter was in nursing school she was involved in a big drill about how to get patients/necessary equipment out of the hospital in case of a fire. With the elevators a no-no, they practiced rolling (non-mobile) people in blankets like burritos and thump-thumping them down the stairwells.

They also told the staff, "At some point it may become necessary for you to say, 'Things are getting bad here, and I cannot save anyone else. It's time for me to get my healthy, mobile self out of here.' "

Tell me that it wouldn't come to that in case of a real emergency at sea.

3 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said: Remember, too, we live in a very modern world: before that lifeboat hits the water, all sorts of emergency personnel know what's going on, and they're already coming for you -- and the boats are outfitted with find-me devices. We're never going to wander the seas for weeks in one of those lifeboats hoping for a fishing vessel to pick us up.

I believe you are correct. Those "find me" devices were not available at the time of the Prinsendam disaster.

2 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said: Eh, I am not good in tight, enclosed spaces, so I know where you're coming from ... but I don't think the proportion of passengers to lifeboats would be any different on different sized ships. I'm actually glad I learned about the three-tier seating because I deal better with things when I know what's coming. Remember, too, we live in a very modern world: before that lifeboat hits the water, all sorts of emergency personnel know what's going on, and they're already coming for you -- and the boats are outfitted with find-me devices. We're never going to wander the seas for weeks in one of those lifeboats hoping for a fishing vessel to pick us up. Agree that not everyone would be able to get into/out of that lifeboat easily. To share something uncomfortable: When my daughter was in nursing school she was involved in a big drill about how to get patients/necessary equipment out of the hospital in case of a fire. With the elevators a no-no, they practiced rolling (non-mobile) people in blankets like burritos and thump-thumping them down the stairwells. They also told the staff, "At some point it may become necessary for you to say, 'Things are getting bad here, and I cannot save anyone else. It's time for me to get my healthy, mobile self out of here.' " Tell me that it wouldn't come to that in case of a real emergency at sea.

For the three tier lifeboat, I was (selfishly) largely worried about someone barfing on me from two tiers up! I know the amount of space in any lifeboat is very limited, and I am going to be very cosy with my neighbours if I have to get in one.

For the emergency situation, I comfort myself thinking a) getting into a lifeboat is an absolute last resort. Staying on the ship is usually the safest and preferred option, until it is not. And b) in most (but I’m sure not all) emergency situations on cruise ships there has been a fair amount of time to save everyone, unless there were bad choices made, a la Concordia.

1 minute ago, lisiamc said: For the three tier lifeboat, I was (selfishly) largely worried about someone barfing on me from two tiers up!

I was thinking of someone peeing on those below.

I agree with you though: I can live with these unpleasant thoughts because 1) it's highly unlikely that any of us will ever find ourselves in a lifeboat. 2) if we do, the ship staff will have decided it's a better choice than staying on the ship, and I trust them to make that choice.

2 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said: I was thinking of someone peeing on those below.

6 minutes ago, lisiamc said: I was (selfishly) largely worried about someone barfing on me

I have considered that as well. In the literature that I have read about the Prinsendam disaster, those concerns have not been mentioned other than the male passengers had an advantage of getting to the edge of a boat and relieving themselves. It was reported that when many of the ladies were rescued, they immediately headed for the rescue vessel's loo.

10 minutes ago, lisiamc said: Staying on the ship is usually the safest and preferred option, until it is not

Modern ships are built to be their own lifeboat. The most recently built ships have separate engine rooms (as I understand it) and are purposely designed to reach the nearest port on their own power.

3 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said: Eh, I am not good in tight, enclosed spaces, so I know where you're coming from ... but I don't think the proportion of passengers to lifeboats would be any different on different sized ships.

I wondered about that.

And the proportions are very different.

MSC Seaside max 5200 pax., 16 lifeboats

MSC Armonia max 2680 pax., 14 lifeboats

RCI Oass of the Seas max 6699 pax., 18 lifeboats

RCI Vision of the Seas max 2514 pax., 18 lifeboats

I've counted lifeboats from photos, I've tried to quote max number of passengers, I've not taken into account the number of crew or the number / size of inflatable life-rafts, and of course bigger ships have bigger lifeboats.

But its pretty clear that big ships have much more-crowded lifeboats.

We prefer smaller ships but our up-coming cruise is on MSC Seaside, almost twice as big as anything we've sailed to date - can't resist a bargain 🙄 .

So I kinda wish I hadn't seen that video (though thanks to the cap'n for linking it).

I wasn't expecting a choice of wines & entrees, but as well as barfing there's the small matter of other bodily functions - and not a john in sight. 😲

I just might stay on board with the captain as the band plays "Nearer my God to Thee" 🥴

1 hour ago, John Bull said: So I kinda wish I hadn't seen that video (though thanks to the cap'n for linking it).

I understand what you are saying in your post. I have been repeatedly assured that all crew and guests can and would be accommodated in the lifeboats/rafts, if need be. But, the video is disturbing if one would need to be in such a situation for a week. For most cruises, with the modern lifeboats that are aboard, cruising in most regions would not require such a long response rescue time. But, in the middle of the Pacific or Indian Ocean where shipping traffic is few and far between?

Okay, a little reality about lifeboats and survival at sea.

5 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said: emember, too, we live in a very modern world: before that lifeboat hits the water, all sorts of emergency personnel know what's going on, and they're already coming for you -- and the boats are outfitted with find-me devices.

While its true that government agencies will know there is a disaster, and where, they are not necessarily "already coming for you" and rescue can be days away. While boats are equipped with EPIRB's to show position to satellites, they have limited battery life, so will not be active all the time. Other "find me" devices are short range, designed for when aircraft or vessels are almost within visual distance.

5 hours ago, lisiamc said: For the three tier lifeboat, I was (selfishly) largely worried about someone barfing on me from two tiers up! I know the amount of space in any lifeboat is very limited, and I am going to be very cosy with my neighbours if I have to get in one.

This is what the bilge pump is for. Trust me, you will get barfed on. Lifeboat seating is 18" wide, 24" from front of knee to back of butt, and designed for a 185 lb person.

1 hour ago, John Bull said: But its pretty clear that big ships have much more-crowded lifeboats.

Smaller ships have the traditional 150 person lifeboat. The largest ships like Oasis have lifeboats with a capacity of 370 persons.

48 minutes ago, rkacruiser said: For most cruises, with the modern lifeboats that are aboard, cruising in most regions would not require such a long response rescue time. But, in the middle of the Pacific or Indian Ocean where shipping traffic is few and far between?

Just realize that transferring passengers from a lifeboat to a ship is inherently dangerous, and will not be contemplated unless conditions are absolutely perfect. Most cargo ships are not designed to load passengers from a boat (you would be climbing up a pilot ladder that is about 3-4 times as high as the ones the pilots use on cruise ships), so you would be waiting for Naval or Coast Guard vessels. Even other cruise vessels would only open their tender ports in very, very calm seas, and there is no other way to do this. Removal from a lifeboat by helicopter with the semi-enclosed boats used on cruise ships is even more dangerous than the Prinsendam rescue, and would be very time consuming.

5 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said: They also told the staff, "At some point it may become necessary for you to say, 'Things are getting bad here, and I cannot save anyone else. It's time for me to get my healthy, mobile self out of here.' "

Triage is always part of any emergency.

5 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said: Tell me that it wouldn't come to that in case of a real emergency at sea.

Unfortunately, despite all the training in the world, you never know in a real emergency whether the trained crew will "run into the fire" or "run from the fire". But, this is why you "train as you would fight", meaning try for as realistic training as possible, so that "muscle memory" takes over and guides the crew to do their duty.

2 hours ago, John Bull said: I wondered about that. And the proportions are very different. MSC Seaside max 5200 pax., 16 lifeboats MSC Armonia max 2680 pax., 14 lifeboats RCI Oass of the Seas max 6699 pax., 18 lifeboats RCI Vision of the Seas max 2514 pax., 18 lifeboats I've counted lifeboats from photos, I've tried to quote max number of passengers, I've not taken into account the number of crew or the number / size of inflatable life-rafts, and of course bigger ships have bigger lifeboats. But its pretty clear that big ships have much more-crowded lifeboats. We prefer smaller ships but our up-coming cruise is on MSC Seaside, almost twice as big as anything we've sailed to date - can't resist a bargain 🙄 . So I kinda wish I hadn't seen that video (though thanks to the cap'n for linking it). I wasn't expecting a choice of wines & entrees, but as well as barfing there's the small matter of other bodily functions - and not a john in sight. 😲 I just might stay on board with the captain as the band plays "Nearer my God to Thee" 🥴 JB 🙂

I don't doubt your counting, but this just doesn't seem possible. I mean, as you said, it doesn't include the crew. And walking on the ship, I've seen the big "covered" lifeboats like we're discussing ... and also some other things that look to be a different, inferior type of lifeboat. Not sure at all.

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said: I understand what you are saying in your post. I have been repeatedly assured that all crew and guests can and would be accommodated in the lifeboats/rafts, if need be. But, the video is disturbing if one would need to be in such a situation for a week. For most cruises, with the modern lifeboats that are aboard, cruising in most regions would not require such a long response rescue time. But, in the middle of the Pacific or Indian Ocean where shipping traffic is few and far between?

I guess a week would technically be possible, but 1) this is all hypothetical and extremely unlikely, even for an hour ... and 2) a week would be in the most incredibly extreme and highly improbable situation.

33 minutes ago, chengkp75 said: This is what the bilge pump is for. Trust me, you will get barfed on. Lifeboat seating is 18" wide, 24" from front of knee to back of butt, and designed for a 185 lb person ... Just realize that transferring passengers from a lifeboat to a ship is inherently dangerous, and will not be contemplated unless conditions are absolutely perfect. Most cargo ships are not designed to load passengers from a boat (you would be climbing up a pilot ladder that is about 3-4 times as high as the ones the pilots use on cruise ships), so you would be waiting for Naval or Coast Guard vessels. Even other cruise vessels would only open their tender ports in very, very calm seas, and there is no other way to do this.

So I'm at an advantage, being a 110 lb person?

Wow, that paragraph was a bummer.

26 minutes ago, chengkp75 said: Triage is always part of any emergency.

But we don't like to admit that to ourselves!

Okay, I found information -- true? Hard to know -- on those secondary lifeboats. Pretty scary article: https://www.cruiselawnews.com/2013/01/articles/sinking/titanic-redux-can-royal-caribbean-safely-evacuate-8500-passengers-crew-from-the-oasis-of-the-seas/

Okay, I'm inclined to think choosing smaller ships might be a wise idea.

navybankerteacher

7 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said: …. 2) if we do, the ship staff will have decided it's a better choice than staying on the ship, and I trust them to make that choice.

Are you referring to Captain Schettino? He seems to have made “that choice”.

7 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said: I don't doubt your counting, but this just doesn't seem possible. I mean, as you said, it doesn't include the crew. And walking on the ship, I've seen the big "covered" lifeboats like we're discussing ... and also some other things that look to be a different, inferior type of lifeboat. Not sure at all.

7 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said: Okay, I found information -- true? Hard to know -- on those secondary lifeboats. Pretty scary article: https://www.cruiselawnews.com/2013/01/articles/sinking/titanic-redux-can-royal-caribbean-safely-evacuate-8500-passengers-crew-from-the-oasis-of-the-seas/ Okay, I'm inclined to think choosing smaller ships might be a wise idea.

Most things published on Walker's site are slanted to make his viewpoint of casting the cruise lines as villians, since he makes his living suing them. Long before the Oasis of the Seas, not all souls onboard a cruise ship were allocated to a lifeboat. Even on a smaller ship like the Norwegian Sky (1900 pax double occupancy), the only crew assigned to lifeboats were the three crew members who formed the boat's crew. So, with 12 lifeboats, only 36 crew would be in those boats. But, the 150 person capacity of each boat provided 1764 passenger seats in the boats, which is the ship's maximum capacity . The crew were all assigned to liferafts. Just note that some of the older Princess ships use the MES (Marine Evacuation System, or chute and rafts) for passengers above the double occupancy figure, so singling out the larger ships is not justified.

Mr. Walker places himself as an "expert" in marine evacuations, over those whose job it is to design equipment for these (both the manufacturers of the equipment, and the safety experts from around the world, that have approved the equipment used on cruise ships through the IMO. Mr. Walker says that RCI's press release shows women and children using the evacuation chutes, but does not bother to explain that this is a stock drawing from the manufacturer , who provides this equipment not only for cruise ships, but these are commonly used on large ferries around the world, where lifeboats are not even required , just rafts, and this method has been shown to be a better and faster way to evacuate by raft than older methods.

SOLAS, the international convention that regulates ship safety, and to which the US is signatory (and therefore has passed the terms of SOLAS into US law) requires that there be capacity in lifeboats and rafts of 125% of the total number of passengers and crew onboard. It requires that lifeboats make up 75% of that capacity (37.5% on each side), and the balance in rafts (for passenger vessels, the rafts are either davit launched or MES, to keep from having people have to get into the water to use the raft). This is the law, and has been since 1980 when SOLAS came into force, which is long before the Oasis of the Seas, that Mr. Walker picks on, was even thought of. So, use of rafts has long been an accepted form of lifesaving, and one wonders why Mr. Walker just now seems to think they are not safe.

Are life rafts "inferior" types of lifeboats? Not really. I'm one who has used both, in the ocean, and neither is "fun" or "comfortable", but when you are in them, it is a matter of life or death, so those concepts are totally irrelevant.

8 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said: I guess a week would technically be possible, but 1) this is all hypothetical and extremely unlikely, even for an hour ... and 2) a week would be in the most incredibly extreme and highly improbable situation.

As part of a survival training course I took many years ago in Canada, the "final exam" was to spend 4 hours in a life raft at sea off of Halifax (in March, but that is another topic), and one of the main reasons for this was to show just how long 4 hours in a raft would seem. While a week in a lifeboat would be improbable, a couple of days would not. If the weather was not good, the powers that be would decide to leave you in the boat until conditions improve. Trying to move people from small boats in the open ocean is a recipe for massive injuries and loss of life. One thing I didn't mention about the water and rations is that you do not get any water for 24 hours, and no rations for 48-72 hours, so this stretches the amount further.

A lot of food for thought in this thread. As I said in another thread about the muster drill "I look around me and all I see are future casualties".

OASIS class required creation of a new higher capacity lifeboat - which in term required a new lifting (davit) system and loading process ..... a short article here .... the new design had to be approved by SOLAS .....

https://www.rina.org.uk/mega-lifeboat.html

MBP&O2/O

"As part of a survival training course I took many years ago in Canada, the "final exam" was to spend 4 hours in a life raft at sea off of Halifax (in March, but that is another topic), and one of the main reasons for this was to show just how long 4 hours in a raft would seem. While a week in a lifeboat would be improbable, a couple of days would not. If the weather was not good, the powers that be would decide to leave you in the boat until conditions improve. Trying to move people from small boats in the open ocean is a recipe for massive injuries and loss of life."

North Pacific, January: We spent five hours in an open lifeboat in F7 gusting F8 winds ... with the appropriate seas. The last four hours were spent on a dead boat ... it took a large wave and we ended up swamped....this occured whilst trying to come alongside to transfer people from the boat.

Rations: we once came out of a dry dock and found that shore workers had ransacked the lifeboats. All food and hardware had been stolen.

As stated, time in a life boat is neither fun or comfortable.

What I want to know is how many chair hogs I have to battle for a seat

1 hour ago, Joebucks said: What I want to know is how many chair hogs I have to battle for a seat

Should I put my towel on a liferaft seat when I get on the ship?

a little reality check about rescue capability .....

this was Carnival Ecstasy 1998 Port Miami. Minutes after departing the pier heading out for a cruise with a full load, they passed the Coast Guard Base at the mouth of the port who called the Master and asked if he knew he was on fire ....... at the time I was Captain of the 210 foot cutter that operated from this base. Shortly after exiting the very narrow entrance channel the fire burned thru control cables and the ship anchored with no propulsion or steering and fire fighting efforts kicked into high gear. The ship was still within sight of the CG Base!

I was contacted to get underway and assist - we were in a maintenance period with limited capability - the majority of the crew had seen what was happening on TV reports and returned to the ship 'just in case'.

I told the rescue coordination center we were ready - with limited capability - and asked "what do you want me to do?" And here comes my point or reality check ....

We may need you to evacuate people. OK, 'we' know from migrant operations that my cutter has a safe capacity of around 250 - 300 .... don't you think you should be looking for MORE ... like some of the ferries and tour boats ....

They may want to land helo's on you. OK, but then I can't take people off the ship as the deck is needed AND we both know the pilots always prefer to land on LAND over a cutter - when they take off from the airstation they can SEE the fire ..... where do you think they'll prefer to land?

We may need you to tow. OK, the cruise ship exceeds my max towing capacity by a factor of 10+ and that's when I have both engines working - I have ONE and you know that (reported daily). Maybe you should call the half dozen tugs parked near me, who also have fire fighting capability.

Look if you want me to go out and be a pretty picture 'helping' and maybe escorting back in under tow from tugs that's fine but in reality I'm pretty limited in what I can do to help.

No I took NO heat from this discussion and we never left the pier. Had this fire happened elsewhere and we were first on scene, different story for sure but there is not a lot a 1000 ton cutter can do when a cruise ship is in trouble .....

I subsequently was Captain of an even larger cutter and frankly the possibility of a real problem at sea out of helo range with a mega ship is something to give folks like me in the sea recue business pause. In a worst case 3000 + persons in lifeboats - first rescue vessel could be DAYS away and has no where NEAR capacity for everyone .... Houston we have a problem . . .

13 hours ago, navybankerteacher said: Are you referring to Captain Schettino? He seems to have made “that choice”.

A rotten apple. In general, I trust the officers and staff. If you didn't, you wouldn't cruise.

5 hours ago, chengkp75 said: Most things published on Walker's site are slanted to make his viewpoint of casting the cruise lines as villians, since he makes his living suing them. Long before the Oasis of the Seas, not all souls onboard a cruise ship were allocated to a lifeboat ... ' I'm one who has used both, in the ocean, and neither is "fun" or "comfortable", but when you are in them, it is a matter of life or death, so those concepts are totally irrelevant ... Trying to move people from small boats in the open ocean is a recipe for massive injuries and loss of life ... One thing I didn't mention about the water and rations is that you do not get any water for 24 hours, and no rations for 48-72 hours, so this stretches the amount further.

I don't know this guy's reputation, but I accept what you're saying -- and I absolutely know what you're saying about a-rescue-boat-for-all is true; in fact, ships are required to have MORE seats than souls on board. We saw those "tube things" on the deck, and we wondered what they were. I'm glad to have read the article (however slanted) to understand what they are.

What's your job (or, less likely, hobby) that you've tried both?

Until this thread I had not considered how people would get OFF the small boats, but -- yeah -- I totally see that's a real issue, especially for those who aren't able-bodied.

I fully accept that -- if it comes to leaving the ship -- things will be very uncomfortable. I suspect it's kinda like seat belts and air bags; they will save your life, but they'll leave you with bruises and other minor injuries.

No water for a day /no food for two days? In tropical heat, this could be really bad. How is this enforced?

I assume every small boat has an officer in charge?

What about communication? Do people know how far away help is?

5 hours ago, sparks1093 said: A lot of food for thought in this thread. As I said in another thread about the muster drill "I look around me and all I see are future casualties".

Eh, I don't know. What we're discussing is, indeed, quite grim -- but consider the number of ships that sail day in, day out without any hint of a need to go to these lengths. This is all highly unlikely.

I tried (and failed) to find out when a cruise ship was last forced to launch lifeboats. Does anyone know this answer?

4 hours ago, Capt_BJ said: OASIS class required creation of a new higher capacity lifeboat - which in term required a new lifting (davit) system and loading process ..... a short article here .... the new design had to be approved by SOLAS ..... https://www.rina.org.uk/mega-lifeboat.html

The whole concept is interesting.

On our recent cruise we received a letter saying that they'd be conducting a lifeboat test the next day -- smart to tell us this ahead of time. We returned from our morning on one of the islands to see the crew setting out a lifeboat. If we'd seen this without warning, we'd have been quite hesitant to re-board.

We went up to the Windjammer, and we found a window seat, where we had a front-row seat to watch Carnival Horizon conducting the same lifeboat drill. We were definitely interested in the whole process.

A related topic: We noted that they have -- in addition to the covered lifeboats, which we've been discussing -- another type of smaller, uncovered vehicle that looks faster /more maneuverable. They took that out too, and we guessed it was for picking up a "man overboard". Or retrieving a body? We noted later that they have one of these on each side of the ship.

2 hours ago, txjim09 said: Should I put my towel on a liferaft seat when I get on the ship?

Great question!

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Cruise Ship Lifeboats: Are There Enough?!

Anyone whose every been on a cruise (or seen one) will immediately notice the rbight, colored lifeboats on the sides.

And if you’re anything like me, you probably have a lot of questions about cruise ship lifeboats.

Like, are there enough lifeboats for everyone? What is the lifeboat capacity? And in the case of an emergency, will the lifeboats on a cruise really save you?

You’d be happy to learn, cruise ship lifeboats have come a long way and modern lifeboats are incredibly designed in the highly (highly!!) unlikely event of an emergency…

Table of Contents

What Does A Lifeboat Look Like?

A lifeboat, particularly those found on cruise ships, is a brightly-colored, sturdy vessel with a protective canopy and streamlined design.

It’s designed to prioritize the safety and rescue of individuals during maritime emergencies. When picturing a lifeboat, several key characteristics come to mind.

The bright color is chosen to ensure high visibility even in rough seas and poor weather conditions, aiding rescuers in locating them from a distance.

Lifeboats are generally robust, with a hard outer shell made of materials like fiberglass, designed to withstand harsh sea conditions and resist damage upon impact.

The shape is streamlined, with a slightly rounded hull and canopy, aiding in making them stable and minimizing the risk of capsizing.

One of the most distinguishing features of a lifeboat is its canopy. The canopy covers the majority of the boat and serves multiple purposes.

It protects passengers from the elements, such as rain, wind, and sun, and also prevents water from entering the boat. There are typically windows or clear patches on the canopy to allow for visibility.

On the inside, the seating is arranged to maximize capacity while still providing each passenger with a secure spot. Lifeboats are equipped with essential safety equipment, including life vests, ropes, and sometimes even basic navigational tools.

To aid in propulsion, lifeboats can have oar locks for manual rowing, but many modern ones are equipped with motorized engines to move quickly in water when needed.

What’s the Typical Capacity of Cruise Ship Lifeboats?

Lifeboats are specifically designed to accommodate a large number of people in a secure manner.

Typically, the standard lifeboat found on many cruise ships can hold around 150 passengers. This number ensures that, in the event of an emergency, passengers can be evacuated quickly and efficiently.

However, with the advent of larger cruise ships, there has been a need for lifeboats with greater capacities.

As a result, some of the newer and larger ships have lifeboats that can accommodate up to 370 passengers.

It’s important to note that these capacities are determined based on rigorous safety standards and regulations.

These standards consider not just the number of seats, but also the provision of essential life-saving equipment within the lifeboat, ensuring that everyone aboard has access to necessary supplies and safety gear.

Do Cruise Ships Carry Inflatable Life Rafts?

Yes, in addition to the traditional hard-shelled lifeboats, many cruise ships are equipped with inflatable life rafts. These rafts serve as an essential supplement to the regular lifeboats, providing additional evacuation capacity in emergency situations.

Inflatable life rafts are compact when stored, taking up minimal deck space. In their packed state, they are usually housed in cylindrical containers.

When deployed, these rafts inflate automatically, usually using a mixture of gas canisters, to form a buoyant, stable structure on water.

The design of inflatable life rafts emphasizes both safety and visibility. They are typically bright-colored, most often orange or yellow, for easy detection in open waters.

They come equipped with canopies to protect evacuees from the elements, be it scorching sun, rain, or high waves. These canopies, just like those on hard-shelled lifeboats, have clear patches or windows to allow for visibility.

Inside, the rafts contain essential survival gear, including flares, first aid kits, water pouches, and sometimes even basic fishing equipment. They also possess ballast bags filled with water on their underside to enhance stability in rough seas.

Inflatable life rafts on cruise ships are not meant to replace traditional lifeboats but to complement them.

In situations where a rapid evacuation is essential, or when the main lifeboats might be inaccessible due to the ship’s angle or damage, these rafts play a pivotal role in ensuring passengers and crew have a safe means of leaving the ship.

The inflatable life rafts on cruise ships are available for the remaining 25% of passengers who may not find space in the traditional lifeboats. While these rafts are usually reserved for crew members, guests can also use them if needed.

Priority is given to guests for boarding the regular lifeboats, with the inflatable rafts serving as an additional option if required.

Life Rafts Vs Life Boats

It’s easy to mix up lifeboats and life rafts, but they’re actually pretty different.

Some quick differences to keep in mind are:

Hard-shelled, sturdy.
Bright colors, typically orange.
Can have a motor.
Inflatable, flexible.
Also brightly colored for visibility.
No motor, rely on currents and oars.
Larger, designed to hold many passengers.
Offer more protection against rough waters.
Smaller than lifeboats.
Deployed quickly, ideal for rapid evacuation.
Takes more time to launch.
Priority for passengers during evacuations.
Faster to deploy.
Often reserved for crew, but available for passengers if needed.
More stable due to their structure.
Equipped with more amenities like seats and protective cover.
Less stable than lifeboats but still safe.
Basic, focusing primarily on flotation and protection.
Main evacuation vessel for passengers.
Aimed at longer duration at sea.
Backup or supplementary evacuation option.
Best for short-term use until a more stable rescue option arrives.

Are There Enough Lifeboats for Everyone in the Event of an Emergency?

Cruise ships typically don’t have a lifeboat for every single person on board. Instead, they ensure that there are enough lifeboats for all the guests.

But what about the crew then? Most crew members have designated inflatable life rafts instead of lifeboats. These are quick to deploy and are an efficient way to ensure the crew’s safety.

Now, there’s a reason behind this configuration. Imagine trying to fit a lifeboat for everyone on the ship’s sides. That’d be like trying to park too many cars in a limited space. Lifeboats need room.

They have to be spaced out so they can be easily lowered to the ocean without causing chaos. And, there’s a limit to how many of these boats can be attached along the ship’s sides.

Here’s another thing: the act of launching a lifeboat isn’t as simple as pressing a button. It needs a trained crew member.

But once they’ve launched a lifeboat, how do they evacuate? They can’t exactly take a leap after sending the boat down, right? That’s where the life rafts come in, ensuring those crew members also have a safe exit.

Now, if you’re scratching your head thinking about regulations, here’s some clarity: according to maritime laws, cruise lines aren’t mandated to have a lifeboat for every passenger.

As long as there’s enough capacity for 37.5% of passengers on each side of the ship (adding up to 75% in total) in lifeboats, the rest can be in life rafts.

However, many cruise lines often go above and beyond. Why? Because ensuring their customers feel safe and secure is a priority.

A little extra reassurance never hurts when you’re out at sea.

Is There Food On A Lifeboat?

Lifeboats, while crucial for emergencies, are also designed to sustain lives in potentially prolonged rescue scenarios.

They are equipped with:

Food Rations : Every lifeboat is mandated to carry sufficient food provisions. Specifically, there should be at least 10,000 kJ (or 2,390 calories) set aside for each person the lifeboat can accommodate. This ensures that even if a rescue takes time, individuals on board have enough sustenance. It’s vital that this food remains uncontaminated, so it’s kept in packaging that’s both airtight and watertight.
Tinned Food and Tools : Canned food is a popular choice for lifeboat provisions due to its long shelf life and compact storage. But what’s canned food without a way to access it? Recognizing this, regulations stipulate that lifeboats must be equipped with at least three tin openers. This redundancy ensures that even if one becomes unusable, there are backups available.
Water Supplies : Fresh water, indispensable for survival, must also be on board. Each person should have access to three liters of fresh water. However, there’s a provision in the rules: if the lifeboat carries materials to desalinate seawater, turning it into drinkable fresh water, then the initial requirement can be reduced to two liters per person. This flexibility acknowledges the potential of self-sustaining practices while at sea.

Do Cruise Ship Lifeboats Have Toilets?

Lifeboats, historically, prioritized primary life-saving features over comforts. Consequently, many older lifeboats didn’t come equipped with toilets, as these vessels were designed for short-term emergency use rather than extended stays. Toilets, in this context, weren’t seen as essential amenities.

However, the evolution of cruise ships and their lifeboats has brought about changes. Enter the “mega lifeboats” – a nod to modernity and passenger comfort.

First seen on vessels like the Oasis of the Seas, these larger lifeboats incorporate toilets, reflecting an acknowledgment of potential longer rescue periods and the basic needs of occupants.

But what if you found yourself on one of those older lifeboats without a toilet? Given advancements in signaling and communication technologies, rescues are typically swift nowadays. Once aboard the rescue vessel, restroom facilities would be available.

In the unlikely scenario where the wait becomes long, and nature calls become urgent, one would ideally and carefully relieve themselves over the boat’s side, keeping personal safety paramount.

Admittedly, this workaround might be more challenging for some passengers than others, depending on circumstances and gender.

Another practical concern, often more prevalent than the need for a restroom, is seasickness. The motion of a lifeboat on choppy waters can be unsettling to many.

If seasickness occurs, it’s advisable for passengers to lean over the boat’s side to avoid contaminating the interior. This measure ensures the comfort and well-being of all on board.

Do Cruise Ships Have Lifeboat Drills?

Cruise ships do conduct lifeboat drills, and they are an essential aspect of the cruising experience. These drills are not just a nod to safety standards, but a foundational practice to ensure the wellbeing of every passenger and crew member on board.

Every major cruise line takes safety as its utmost priority. Therefore, before the ship embarks on its journey, all passengers are required to participate in a lifeboat drill, commonly known as a muster drill. This drill is so crucial that it’s mandated by international maritime law.

Now, let’s break down what happens during these drills. Passengers are guided to specific locations, known as muster stations.

These stations are strategically placed, usually near lifeboats, to streamline the evacuation process in case of an actual emergency.

While at the muster stations, passengers receive instructions on how to wear life jackets, how the evacuation process works, and what they should expect in case of an emergency.

It’s worth noting that the crew members on cruise ships are highly trained in safety protocols. They undergo frequent drills and training sessions themselves, even more rigorous than what passengers experience. This ensures that in the unlikely event of an emergency, they’re well-prepared to guide and assist passengers.

In the digital age, some cruise lines have even incorporated technology into the mix. While the traditional loudspeaker announcements still play a role, many ships have screens displaying safety information and procedures, making it easier for passengers to understand and follow the drill.

Lifeboat drills on cruise ships are a non-negotiable, vital practice. They not only adhere to safety regulations but also equip passengers with the knowledge and confidence that, should an emergency arise, they’ll know what to do.

How Many Lifeboats on Mega Cruise Ships?

Modern mega-cruise ships, such as Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas , feature lifeboats significantly larger than those on traditional cruise ships.

These advanced lifeboats can accommodate up to 370 passengers, more than double the typical capacity of 150 in standard lifeboats.

This enhanced capacity not only ensures the safety of a larger number of passengers but also means that fewer lifeboats are required on board, optimizing deck space and ensuring efficient evacuation processes in case of emergencies.

Safety Regulation Of Cruise Ship Lifeboats

One of the primary regulations comes from the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which mandates that a ship must have enough lifeboats to accommodate at least 75% of the people on board.

This rule was implemented in response to the Titanic disaster, which tragically did not have sufficient lifeboat capacity for everyone.

In addition to the SOLAS requirement, modern cruise ships must also meet the following lifeboat criteria:

Ships are required to have partially or totally enclosed lifeboats for 50% of the total capacity of people onboard, on each side. This means that the combined lifeboat capacity on both sides of the ship should cover 100% of the passengers and crew members.
A rigid or inflatable liferaft must make up at least 25% of the ship’s total capacity.
Lifeboats and liferafts need to be easily accessible and quickly deployed in emergency situations.

These rules are strictly enforced by international maritime bodies, and inspections ensure that cruise ships comply with these standards.

Lifeboat Operations

Cruise Ship with larger lifeboats for emergencies

Launch Procedure

As a passenger, you’ll participate in a mandatory lifeboat drill on the first day of your cruise to familiarize yourself with the process and ensure you can act quickly in case of an emergency.

Lifeboats are typically stored on both sides of the ship, and each passenger is assigned to a specific one.

During the launch procedure, the crew will give the signal to assemble at your designated muster stations.

These are areas close to the lifeboats where you’ll receive further instructions from the crew. Make sure to wear your lifejacket and follow the crew’s guidance to board the lifeboat safely and efficiently.

Once all passengers are on board, the lifeboats are lowered into the water using a davit system. This mechanism releases the lifeboat in a controlled manner while ensuring it remains stable.

As the lifeboat reaches the water, the crew will start the engine, disconnect the boat from the davit system, and navigate away from the cruise ship.

Recovery Operation

After a successful lifeboat launch, the next phase is the recovery operation.

In a real-life emergency, the lifeboat’s primary goal is to transport passengers to a safe location; however, during a drill or exercise, the lifeboat will return to the ship to practice the recovery process.

Once the lifeboat approaches the cruise ship, the crew must align it with the davit system carefully. The boat hooks are then reconnected, and the lifeboat is hoisted back to its original storage position.

Throughout this process, it’s essential for passengers to remain calm and seated to maintain stability and ensure the lifeboat can be safely recovered.

Remember, your safety is the top priority during lifeboat operations. By familiarizing yourself with the launch and recovery procedures, you’ll be better prepared to act calmly and efficiently if an emergency evacuation is ever required. Trust the crew and follow their guidance to ensure the best possible outcome.

Training and Drills

Training and drills play a crucial role in ensuring the crew and passengers are well-prepared for any situation that may arise regarding lifeboats.

Cruise ship crew members undergo intensive training to handle lifeboat operations. This training may include activities such as launching, maneuvering, and retrieval of lifeboats.

It’s essential to ensure that the crew is well-equipped to manage any situation that might require the use of lifeboats, whether for evacuation or other emergencies.

During your cruise, you’ll likely participate in a mandatory muster drill. This drill is designed to familiarize you with your designated muster station, where you should go in case of an emergency. You’ll also learn about the location of lifeboats and life jackets and the proper techniques for wearing them.

Cruise ships often conduct regular abandon-ship drills that involve the crew simulating an evacuation scenario. These drills are essential for maintaining the crew’s proficiency in handling lifeboats and ensuring that necessary equipment is in proper working order. In addition to standard lifeboats, cruise ships may also have lifeboat tenders that serve as both a rescue vessel and a form of transportation during port calls.

As a passenger, knowing about the training and drills related to lifeboats can help you feel more confident in your safety while enjoying your cruise vacation.

Maintenance and Inspection

When it comes to keeping the lifeboats on your cruise ship in top condition, regular maintenance and inspection is absolutely essential.

With safety as the top priority, you must ensure that lifeboats are frequently checked and maintained by qualified professionals.

Starting with weekly and monthly inspections, you should follow a strict schedule that adheres to the regulations set forth by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Items to be inspected include the basic lifeboat structure and its release gear. By conducting these routine checks, you’ll be able to promptly identify any issues or potential problems that could compromise the lifeboat’s functionality during an emergency.

In addition to the regular inspections, the IMO has also recently amended the requirements for periodic servicing of life-saving appliances.

Beginning January 2020, new procedures have been enforced for maintenance and inspection of lifeboats, and requirements for authorizing service suppliers have also been adjusted accordingly.

This ensures that only credible and qualified suppliers handle the critical task of maintaining lifeboats.

When servicing lifeboats, remember that there is a specified frequency at which different components need attention. For instance:

Weekly : Examine the release gear, buoyancy material, and any visible signs of wear or damage.
Monthly : Inspect the lifeboat’s hull, engine, and electrical system to ensure optimal functioning.

As part of the maintenance process, it’s important to engage qualified engineers who are experienced with lifeboat systems. Companies like Survitec are gaining ground in lifeboat maintenance services, deploying highly skilled technicians across continents to provide annual and five-yearly inspection and maintenance services.

By following these guidelines and adhering to the regulations set forth by the IMO, you can ensure that the lifeboats on your cruise ship are well-maintained and ready for use in case of an emergency.

Remember, a properly maintained lifeboat could be the difference between life and death for passengers and crew members alike.

History of Lifeboats on Cruise Ships

Lifeboats have come a long way since their humble beginnings. Back in the day, they were simple vessels launched from shore, their primary purpose being to rescue people stranded at sea.

With time, technological advancements saw the evolution of lifeboats as they are known today on cruise ships: double-decker mini-ships capable of carrying hundreds of people.

As you dive into the history of lifeboats on cruise ships, you’ll learn that regulations played a crucial role in shaping their development.

It wasn’t until the 1948 adoption of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) agreement that certain ships were required to carry at least one motorized lifeboat on board. Interestingly, in 1964, motors were only mandated for lifeboats designed to carry over 100 people.

Today, lifeboat tenders on cruise ships possess a dual nature. Primarily, they serve their main purpose of acting as lifeboats in times of need.

Moreover, they’re used to ferry passengers from the ship to the shore when docking isn’t possible at a port. The dual functionality underscores the importance of lifeboats in ensuring both safety and convenience for cruise passengers.

Throughout this journey into the history of lifeboats on cruise ships, you’ll come to appreciate the efforts made to enhance safety at sea.

Continuous improvements in technology and design have elevated lifeboats from simple rescue vessels to modern marvels capable of providing refuge for potentially hundreds of passengers in the event of an emergency.

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Walkie Talkie On Cruise Ship: Are They Allowed? Which Is The Best?!

Do Cruise Ships Have Enough Lifeboats for Everyone?

If you are thinking of going on a cruise, one of your safety concerns might be what happens in the event of an emergency and whether there are enough lifeboats for all passengers to disembark safely.

You might even have seen the Titanic when many people died because there weren’t enough lifeboats and wondered if things have changed for the much bigger cruise ships of today.

Cruise ships have enough lifeboat capacity for 75% of the maximum capacity of people on board, crew, and passengers. Liferafts are provided for the remaining 25%, although often not required as a cruise ship is never even near it’s maximum capacity.

Are there enough lifeboats for everyone?

Modern cruise ships are bigger than ever, especially mega cruise ships such as Wonder of the Seas or Symphony of the Seas, as examples of some of the largest.

Nowadays, many cruise ships can carry 5000 to 6000 passengers on board and an additional 1000 or more crew members.

It’s not surprising you may wonder if there are enough lifeboats on board to save everyone.

Although it’s unlikely a cruise ship sinking or even capsizing, there are rare occasions when lifeboats may be needed.

At the very least, in times of rough seas and large waves pounding the ship, it can be comforting to know there’s enough lifeboat capacity for everyone.

What is The Requirement for Lifeboats on a Cruise Ship?

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea ( SOLAS ) stipulates that a ship must have enough lifeboats to accommodate 75% of the people on board.

SOLAS was started after the events of the sinking of the Titanic when there weren’t enough lifeboats for everyone.

Regulations require each side of cruise ships have enough lifeboats to accommodate 37.5% of the total number of persons on board (passengers and crew), 75% in total. Inflatable or rigid liferafts must accommodate the remaining 25% of passengers and crew. (SOLAS, Section II, Regulation 21, 1.1) Travellersunited.org ( Source )

This means that for a ship with 3000 passengers and crew, at least 2250 must be able to fit in the available lifeboats. For a cruise ship carrying 6000 passengers and crew, at least 4500 must be able to fit into the available lifeboats.

In practice, most cruise ships have more than the minimum number of lifeboats required. For example, Royal Caribbean’s Wonder has passenger and crew capacities of 6,988 passengers and 2,300 crew for a total of 9288.

This is slightly more than the 75% requirement set by the IMO, and that’s assuming absolute maximum passenger numbers.

Often the ship will have far fewer passengers than the absolute maximum, but it still leaves a few hundred people potentially without space on the lifeboats.

This is where liferafts come into play to make up over and above the 25% extra required.

Although it’s worth highlighting that a cruise ship is rarely anywhere near absolute capacity, many staterooms can sleep up to 4 people if you include the extra bed space but often only hold 2 people.

How Many Lifeboats Are Needed on a Cruise Ship?

Ideally, a cruise ship needs a higher lifeboat capacity than the total number of passengers and crew on the ship.

However, as we have seen, the IMO only requires a cruise ship to have enough lifeboats to accommodate 75% of its total capacity.

For every 1000 people on the ship, a cruise ship would need 75% of that number in lifeboat capacity, or 750 people.

If the lifeboats hold a maximum of 150 passengers , then the following number of lifeboats would be required:

1000 ship capacity = 750 lifeboat capacity = 5 lifeboats
2000 ship capacity = 1500 lifeboat capacity = 10 lifeboats
3000 ship capacity 2250 = lifeboat capacity = 15 lifeboats
4000 ship capacity 3000 = lifeboat capacity = 20 lifeboats

For larger ships such as some of the Royal Caribbean fleet who have the larger 370 capacity lifeboats you would need the following:

6000 ship capacity = 4500 lifeboat capacity = 12 lifeboats
7000 ship capacity = 5250 lifeboat capacity = 14 lifeboats

The largest lifeboats, like those which were unfortunately destroyed on Costa Smeralda when it collided with a crane , can hold up to 440 passengers.

Some passengers may need assistance getting into the lifeboats, and crew members will need to stay behind to help with the evacuation process, including the cruise ship captain, who should be the last person to leave the ship and one of the reasons for the high cruise ship captains annual salary.

Additionally, some lifeboats may be damaged or lost during an incident at sea so it’s always important to have more safety boat capacity than required.

If there are not enough lifeboats for everyone on board, then inflatable or rigid liferafts must accommodate the remaining 25% of passengers and crew.

Liferafts must be located on the ship’s exterior, easily accessible, and clearly marked.

They must also be capable of being launched quickly and easily, even in bad weather conditions.

When needed, the liferafts are released from their compartments and connected to shutes are lowered into the sea where they are released and begin inflating.

Passengers and crew members then have to defend down via the shutes and make their way to a seating position on the liferaft.

Liferafts come in different sizes holding from 25 to 200 people. The larger ones hold as many as a standard-size lifeboat.

One of the largest is Viking Life Saving Equipment which holds up to 200.

The 3D video below demonstrates how they would be used in an emergency.

Are There Enough Lifeboats for Everyone in the Event of an Emergency

It’s all well and good having enough lifeboats when setting sail on your cruise vacation, but what about in the event of an emergency?

For example, if the ship is is on fire or is it listing to one side so much, the lifeboats can’t be launched.

There is a SOLAS requirement that lifeboats must be able to be launched if listed as much as 20º. It would be rare for a ship to list more than that, but it has been known in the case of Costa Concordia.

How Many Lifeboats On Carnival Cruise Ships?

All lifeboats can be seen on each side of the Carnival ships.

Depending on which ship you are cruising on, you could simply look for a photo and count them.

Although you can rest assured:

We also ensure that the number of lifejackets, lifeboats, and life rafts on each Carnival ship exceeds the number required, based on the ship’s maximum capacity for passengers and crew. Carnival Safety and Security ( source )

How Many People Can Fit In a Cruise Ship Lifeboat?

For many years, the maximum capacity of a cruise ship lifeboat was typically 150 people. This will be the case for many cruise ship lifeboats today. However, many of the worlds largest cruise ships now hold lifeboats with a capacity of 370 to 440 people.

1.1.2.1 No lifeboat shall be approved to accommodate more than 150 persons. (LSA 4.4.2.1) rules.dvv.com Source

However, more recently, with ever-increasing cruise ship sizes and required lifeboat capacity, cruise lines such as Royal Caribbeans obtained a waiver to have larger lifeboats like those of Wonder of the Seas, which has 18 lifeboats 9 on each side.

This might not seem like enough for a cruise ship that can hold over 6000 passengers and crew.

However, each lifeboat has a capacity of not 150 but 370 people for a total of 6660. These mega-lifeboats, as they are known, are found on many of the Royal Caribbean largest cruise ships, including the first to have them, Oasis of the Seas.

These significantly larger lifeboats not only carry more people but also take up significantly less length when all together on the ship’s side and keep them on one deck.

Although it’s still below the passenger (6988) and crew (2300) maximum capacity of 9288. Hence why, rafts are needed.

Here’s an interesting time-lapse video of a 150-capacity lifeboat being loaded and released with 150 people (crew members) as part of a periodic capacity test.

Where Are The Lifeboats On a Cruise Ship?

The lifeboats on a cruise ship are typically located on the outside decks , often on both sides of the ship.

They are easy to spot and are usually brightly colored orange and yellow.

The lifeboats might be partially or completely hidden behind panels or glass on some ships.

How Big Are the Lifeboats On Cruise Ships?

The largest lifeboat, the Palfinger MPC 49 is 15.25m by 5.5m and holds 440 persons.

The Royal Caribbean CRW55 mega lifeboats are 16.7m by 5.6m and hold 370 persons.

The more common 150-capacity lifeboats are usually 8.1m to 9.6m in length.

Different types of Lifeboats on a Cruise Ship?

There are 3 types of lifeboats to be found on cruise ships.

Open lifeboats
Closed lifeboats
Freefall lifeboats

However, the most common type of lifeboat you’ll find on a large ocean cruise ship is the closed lifeboat.

These are designed to protect passengers from the rough seas and weather.

How Are Lifeboats Launched from a Cruise Ship

This passenger was lucky enough to get a great view of a lifeboat being launched into the sea from the Viking Ocean cruise ship.

The lifeboat is extended outwards from the ship and lowered down.

In this instance, the lifeboat was being used as a tender boat.

Tender Boats

Lifeboats aren’t just used in emergencies, they sometimes double up as tender boats to take passengers to shore from the cruise ship when in port.

What’s On a Lifeboat?

Lifeboats carry the essentials, including:

Water and food rations for each person to last a week
First Aid Kits
Seasickness Pills
Searchlights
Signaling Devices

Do Cruise Ships Have LifeBoat Drills?

All cruise ship passengers must participate in a lifeboat drill before the cruise sets sail.

During this mandatory safety drill, you will be shown to your assigned lifeboat station, often called a muster station.

You won’t necessarily get into the lifeboat, but you will learn how to put on a lifejacket and be familiarized with the drill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all cruise ships have lifeboats.

Yes. All cruise ships have lifeboats. They are required by law to have enough lifeboats for at least 75% of all passengers and crew on board. Liferafts are provided to make up for the rest.

Why do Ships Not have Enough Lifeboats?

Lifeboats take up space and add weight to cruise ships.

Inflatable liferafts make up the difference needed to get all passengers and crew off the ship in an emergency. These are much lighter and take up a lot less space.

The more space a cruise ship can free up the more money it can make by providing more cabins, entertainment or other sources of extra revenue on the ship.

Are there Toilets on Lifeboats?

Generally, lifeboats do not have toilets. They are designed to be as efficient as possible when it comes to saving lives, and the toilet space could take up the space for 1 or more passengers.

Saying that the larger Royal Caribbean 370 capacity lifeboats do have a water closet.

What Kind of Lifeboats do Cruise Ships Have?

Modern-day cruise ships often have fully enclosed lifeboats made from fiberglass that protect against the elements.

Some lifeboats are even equipped with air conditioning and heat to keep passengers comfortable during their time on board.

How Many Lifeboats on Mega Cruise Ships?

There will be enough lifeboats for 75% of the mega cruise ships’ maximum capacity for crew and passengers. For mega-cruise ships like Royal Caribbeans Wonder of Seas and Symphony of the Seas, the lifeboats are more than twice the size of the standard cruise ship lifeboats, with a capacity of 370 compared to 150, so not as many are needed.

All cruise ships must have enough lifeboat capacity for at least 75% of the maximum capacity for total people on board, including crew and passengers.

Often cruises ships are nowhere near full capacity even if every cabin is booked.

Liferafts cover the remaining 25% of maximum capacity.

If you are anywhere concerned, you can take comfort from the fact that of the hundred cruise ships sailing oceans and rivers every day, lifeboats are very rarely required.

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smoke flare from inside cruise ship lifeboat

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Disney Confirms Changes Coming to Attraction for First Time Since 1971

in Walt Disney World

A split image with close-up of a building permit and blueprints on the left, and the Disney Cinderella Castle at Disney World on the right under a cloudy sky.

A new permit filed by Walt Disney World Resort signals some potential improvements for a beloved attraction operating since 1971.

A wrecked boat with animatronic chimpanzees on board at Walt Disney World Resort's Jungle Cruise

New Permit Filed Points Towards Renovations and Improvements for a 53-Year-Old Disney Magic Kingdom Attraction

This week, a new notice of commencement has been filed for extensive underwater work at the Jungle Cruise attraction in Magic Kingdom.

Unlike typical permits with a one-year expiration, this permit is set to expire in October 2025. Underwater Engineering Services Inc . has been contracted for the project, although the license only outlines “general construction” as the scope of work.

The permit’s address corresponds to the Jungle Cruise attraction rather than any backstage facilities or maintenance areas.

While specifics still need to be included in the permit, information from the UESI website suggests their expertise covers above and below-water assets, including operational facilities and those undergoing decommissioning.

Visitors walking near the entrance of a "jungle cruise" attraction at theme parks in the summer with signs for fastpass and stand-by entrances under a sunny sky inside Disney World.

Given the attraction’s more than 50 years of operation, it’s plausible that the work may involve corrosion control, inspections, repairs, or similar activities.

However, it’s unlikely that this work signals a thematic change for the Jungle Cruise , especially considering recent updates made by Walt Disney Imagineering to enhance the attraction for future guests.

Notably, the permit is owned by Disney World’s facility management team rather than Walt Disney Imagineering. It remains to be seen if the project will necessitate any downtime for the attraction, as no closures or refurbishments have been announced.

A picturesque view of a fairy tale Cinderella Castle with spires, under a clear blue sky with the sun setting behind, casting a warm glow over the scene.

1960s and 1970s: New animals and show scenes were added
1994: The river channel was rerouted and shortened to make room for the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction
1995: The colorful fringes on top of the boats were replaced with a canvas look
2021 and 2022: The ride received a new backstory, new scenes, and updates to make it more culturally sensitive
2023: The ride underwent a major change in November

Although these changes have occurred and renovations have been done to the ride, this specific type of permit signals that the kind of work about to be done has not been done since 1971 when the attraction first opened to the general public.

Situated within the enchanting realm of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, Jungle Cruise is a timeless attraction , offering guests an immersive riverboat journey through a captivating array of exotic landscapes.

Inspired by the majestic rivers of the world, this ride is renowned for its picturesque scenery , lifelike animatronics depicting a variety of wildlife, and engaging narration by witty skippers.

Upon boarding the boats, guests are transported into a realm of adventure, where they encounter whimsical interactions with hippos, elephants, and other jungle inhabitants. The attraction’s meticulous attention to detail and compelling storytelling have solidified its status as a cherished highlight of the Magic Kingdom experience.

Over the years, Jungle Cruise has undergone strategic updates and enhancements to uphold its appeal to visitors of all ages, all while preserving its nostalgic allure.

As a quintessential destination within Disney’s enchanting theme park, Jungle Cruise continues to beckon adventurers seeking immersive entertainment at the heart of the Magic Kingdom.

I work from a cruise ship for 3 months a year. Here's how I stay productive at sea.

Walter Biscardi runs his travel business remotely from cruise ships for three months each year.
He said WiFi reliability has improved, but video calls and finding power outlets can be challenging.
Biscardi recommends Virgin Voyages for remote workers because of the spaces to work and the WiFi.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Walter Biscardi, a 59-year-old travel agent based in Orlando. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I used to work in film, television, documentary, and marketing, and I ran two creative agencies in Atlanta for 25 years.

A few years ago, my wife and I turned my second passion, travel, into " Where's Walter Travel ." We specialize in travel planning services for cruises , group vacations, theme park tours, and company retreats.

We live in an Orlando rental, but I run the travel-planning business from a cruise ship for three months out of the year.

We started taking advantage of our remote working situation after the pandemic

In a few short years of working on cruise ships, I've noticed that more and more people are starting to do the same thing.

We predominantly cruise the Caribbean. Last year, our three months were spread over six different trips on the Royal Caribbean , Oceania , Virgin Voyages , and Carnival cruise lines. If it were up to me, I'd be at sea for six months a year, but my wife prefers three.

This year, we'll be back on Virgin Voyages in June and on the Sun Princess in October. We're planning a few more, too.

WiFi speed and reliability onboard ships have been game-changers

I don't always look for speed but rather consistency and reliability.

Even though the WiFi is reliable on most ships , it's still not perfect, and you need to manage your expectations. The WiFi on ships is satellite-based, so the signal will be slower if there's a lot of cloud cover. Rain may also temporarily cut it out completely.

The WiFi signal in rooms can be weak. When I get on board, I walk around public places, look at the ceiling, and find the repeaters , which amplify the router's signal . I park myself under a repeater to work, so at least I know I'm getting the fastest signal.

Video calls can be dicey, but voice calls over WiFi work well

Most of my work is using emails, social media apps, and a web browser, so I don't tend to have problems. The upload speed is the most difficult thing about working on a cruise ship.

Finding power outlets can be challenging

Typically, if you need to put in a full day of work connected to power, you need to stay in your room. One tip to finding power when you're looking around public areas is to see where they plug in the vacuum cleaners.

I strongly recommend bringing a powerboard with multiple USB sockets. I have one with 10 USB connections, so I can charge my phone, GoPro, and other devices simultaneously.

Virgin Voyages ships are the most friendly for remote workers

The galley on a Virgin Voyages ship is set up like a coffee shop, with easily accessible power and USB sockets at the table. There are dozens of outlets, as they're inviting people to bring their laptops and work from the ship.

I usually upgrade to the premium WiFi option, which can cost anywhere from $19 to $39 per day on most lines, but Virgin only charges $10 per day to upgrade.

I work in an office at home, so working on a cruise is a big change

I operate at sea as I do on land, with the same office hours available to my clients other than when I know we're going on an excursion.

Cruise ships are comparable to remote working spaces, but they offer so much more. On a cruise, almost everything is included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, entertainment, and most amenities.

If I want to take a break from work, I go to the pool. When I finish for the day, I'll go to the theater to see a show.

Meeting places are usually free on a cruise ship. Generally, all you have to do is reserve a conference room. AV facilities are usually included too, although you may have to pay a setup fee.

Remember to be respectful — many people are on board for a vacation. I've been out by the pool and seen people taking business calls on speakerphone, which is ridiculously annoying.

I suggest picking at least one port on every cruise and make it a 'ship day'

About 75% of people will get off the ship at any port, so staying on board feels like you have the whole place to yourself.

Activities like the pools will still be open, and the spas will often discount their services by 20-40% on port days.

Of course, I still recommend getting off and exploring as much as possible — that's what cruises are for.

Watch: Cruise ship captain breaks down 8 cruise ship disasters in movies and TV

Main content

IMAGES

Inside the lifeboat MPC 49 (Large)
Inside a Lifeboat on Symphony of the Seas! Royal Caribbean Cruise
Inside the Lifeboat
Video: What's Inside a Ship’s Lifeboat?
Harmony Of The Seas Lifeboats Inside
Maersk Alabama Lifeboat FAQ

VIDEO

Lifeboats
Lifeboat
Cruise Ship Lifeboat Drill
Lifeboat Tender Ride in Seydisfjourdur Iceland via Norwegian Star (4K)
Video appears to show lifeboat being towed by an Australian vessel under Operation Sovereign Borders
Part 5: How luxury cruise ships operate lifeboats. #Lifeboat #cruiselife #coralprincess

COMMENTS

Inside a Cruise Ship Lifeboat (Crew Tour)
Inside a cruise ship lifeboat you will find: Fishing tackle; Torches/flashlights and batteries; Signals for rescue: Smoke floats, rockets, and hand flares are all onboard to signal for help; The smoke float seen above is released and it'll create a large amount of orange smoke, the idea being that it may be seen by a passing ship or aircraft.
Cruise Ship Lifeboat Tour. What Life Saving Equipment Is Inside? How
Hey sailors,Today we are taking a look inside a lifeboat onboard The Valiant Lady cruise ship. We will see how much water and food is inside, along with all ...
Video: What's Inside a Ship's Lifeboat?
One Rust-proof dipper with a lanyard. A food ration with an energy value of at least 10,000 kJ (2390 Calories) for each person the lifeboat is designed to hold, packed in airtight and waterproof packaging. One set of fishing tackle. Three tin openers. Two rescue quoits with 30 meters of buoyant line.
Loading 150 Persons in a Lifeboat on a Cruise Ship
Time-lapse video showing inside of a 150 person lifeboat as it is fully loaded and manoeuvred in the water on a cruise ship in the port of Ajaccio, Corsica.C...
inside cruise ship lifeboat seating
Inside a Cruise Ship Lifeboat (Crew Tour) - Emergency Food, Engine, Seating Plan and More. Hey hey hey, I'm Emma and I LOVE cruising! I took my first cruise when I was 11 and I've been hooked ever since.
What Is a Cruise Ship Lifeboat?
Cruise lifeboats often double as tender boats, transporting passengers to shore in ports where the ship does not park at a dock. The lifeboats are also sometimes used to transport crew or ...
inside cruise ship lifeboat batteries
Inside a Cruise Ship Lifeboat (Crew Tour) - Emergency Food, Engine, Seating Plan and More. Hey hey hey, I'm Emma and I LOVE cruising! I took my first cruise when I was 11 and I've been hooked ever since.
Cruise Ship Lifeboats
What is inside modern cruise ship lifeboats? Modern Life Boats, whose mandatory contents are regulated & inspected by SOLAS are driven by a diesel engine & come equipped with emergency equipment, pyrotechnics, air supply, hand flairs, pure drinking H2O, and food rations, tools & a compass.
Lifeboats
ABANDON SHIP!!! Ever wonder whats inside a lifeboat? How do you even get it into the water.. and survive? How does Emergency Ration Taste like?? Follow my l...
What Is In A Lifeboat?
The equipment required inside a ship's lifeboat is defined within the International Lifesaving Appliances (LSA) Code. ... Cruise ship lifeboats contain the same resources as every other lifeboat. The only difference is that they will have enough supplies for 150 passengers and crew. There will be more food and water rations, more TPAs, and ...
Lifeboats on Cruise Ships: Safety, Capacity, and Amenities
The majority of the items on a cruise ship lifeboat are listed below, however it's not all-inclusive, per the LSA: Enough fuel to travel at 6 knots for at least a full day (24 hours) 48 hours' worth of anti-seasickness medication per person. 2 seasickness bags per person. 3 liters of fresh water per person.
Cruise ship lifeboats and rafts: How your ship is prepared for an ...
The maximum capacity of a cruise ship lifeboat is 150 people, according to the International Maritime Organization's International Life-Saving Appliance Code. Most cruise ships have lifeboats ...
Lifeboat (shipboard)
A lifeboat or liferaft is a small, rigid or inflatable boat carried for emergency evacuation in the event of a disaster aboard a ship. Lifeboat drills are required by law on larger commercial ships. Rafts ( liferafts) are also used. In the military, a lifeboat may double as a whaleboat, dinghy, or gig. The ship's tenders of cruise ships often ...
Cruise Ship Lifeboats
Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas was the first to use mega lifeboats. Manufacturers of lifeboats test products by using water weights as a safe load test procedure. A water weight bag is ...
Are There Enough Lifeboats On Cruise Ships To Save Every Last Passenger?
Inside Lifeboats On Cruise Ships. Lifeboats are designed with one thing in mind - survival. The design focuses on fitting in as many people as possible to ensure their survival. The center of a lifeboat is most often oval in shape, with the center area blocked out for structural elements.
Inside look of a cruise ship lifeboat
We were on the Carnival Elation and we got to see the inside of a lifeboat. We've always wondered what the inside of looked like. #carnival #carnivalcruise ...
Cruise Ship Lifeboat Tour. What Life Saving Equipment Is Inside? How
Just watched this yesterday. I found it very interesting and informative. Also passed the link on to the friends who are sailing with us end of October.
Cruise Ship Lifeboats: Are There Enough?!
On the inside, the seating is arranged to maximize capacity while still providing each passenger with a secure spot. Lifeboats are equipped with essential safety equipment, including life vests, ropes, and sometimes even basic navigational tools. ... In addition to standard lifeboats, cruise ships may also have lifeboat tenders that serve as ...
Do Cruise Ships Have Enough Lifeboats for Everyone?
All cruise ships must have enough lifeboat capacity for at least 75% of the maximum capacity for total people on board, including crew and passengers. Often cruises ships are nowhere near full capacity even if every cabin is booked. Liferafts cover the remaining 25% of maximum capacity.
What a Room on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas Cruise Looks Like
I booked a stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, one of the biggest cruise ships. For $2,000 a week, the 179-square-foot cabin had a private bathroom, a king-size bed, and a view.
Guest Wreaks Havoc On Disney World Trip Because of Joke
Meghan used to work on Jungle Cruise, the classic Disney ride that allows guests to "Chart a course for high adventure on a scenic and comedic boat tour of exotic rivers across Asia, Africa, and ...
inside cruise ship lifeboat water packet rations
Inside a Cruise Ship Lifeboat (Crew Tour) - Emergency Food, Engine, Seating Plan and More. Hey hey hey, I'm Emma and I LOVE cruising! I took my first cruise when I was 11 and I've been hooked ever since.
Former Cruise Ships Are Being Turned Into 'Floatels'
A company is turning former cruise ships into floating hotels — see inside its largest 'floatel' Brittany Chang 2024-04-17T14:24:43Z
Lifeboat
Here is a new video about Lifeboat - What is inside, How it looks? The lifeboats are molded from fiber-reinforced plastic and fire retardantresins. Longitudi...
smoke flare from inside cruise ship lifeboat
Inside a Cruise Ship Lifeboat (Crew Tour) - Emergency Food, Engine, Seating Plan and More. Hey hey hey, I'm Emma and I LOVE cruising! I took my first cruise when I was 11 and I've been hooked ever since.
Disney Confirms Changes Coming to Attraction for ...
1960s and 1970s: New animals and show scenes were added; 1994: The river channel was rerouted and shortened to make room for the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction
I Work Remotely From a Cruise Ship
I suggest picking at least one port on every cruise and make it a 'ship day' About 75% of people will get off the ship at any port, so staying on board feels like you have the whole place to yourself.
What's Inside A Ships Lifeboat?
Play World of Warships here: https://wo.ws/3wQe43w Thank you World of Warships for sponsoring this video.During registration use the code BOOM to get for fre...

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Video: What’s Inside a Ship’s Lifeboat?

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finally, to summarize here is a list of lifeboat equipment which is standard for any type of lifeboat:

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