Most positions on cruise ships require completion of a safety-training course as a result of the many disasters that can occur at sea. Fire, collisions, flooding, and stormy weather are some of the most common risks staff must deal with while working at sea. All reputable cruise lines provide specialist training to teach crewmembers how to cope with life-threatening situations. These training sessions usually occur within a short time after joining the vessel.
Specialist safety training courses cover emergency procedures, lifeboat, raft instruction, and basic fire fighting. Frequent crewmember safety drills are common on reputable cruise ships as well as passenger safety drills. In many cases, crewmembers, staff, and even members in the entertainment department must assist in drills that are considered grimy, physically demanding, and even downright dangerous. Many crewmembers find that these drills are irrelevant to the job for which they were hired, but the cruiseline sees the drills as a necessity for all employees of the ship. So, if you are a ballroom dancer or manicurist, be warned – you are not exempt!
In addition to safety training, all ships sailing out of American ports have to pass stringent US coastguard inspections. These inspections affect all crewmembers. All ships must also pass United States Public Health (USPH) inspections concerning sanitation and hygiene. This involves a great number of the crew.
At the end of the day, all crewmembers must be familiar with the emergency routes from their cabins and workplace. All cruise ship employees and crewmembers must understand the operation of watertight and fire doors. They must also understand how to use fire extinguishers and how to launch lifeboats and rafts. Cruise lines require safety training for your safety and the safety of the passengers of course, but crewmembers should also pay close attention to training for their own peace of mind. This way, you will know how to bail yourself out of a situation if those that are designated to help you are not around!
To read a first-person account of what safety training is all about aboard Disney Cruise Lines, visit ALLears.net at http://allears.net/cruise/issue398.htm.