How to Stay Safe While Working on a Cruise Ship

Article by Emily Bennett As cruise ships continue to become larger and accident reports continue to progress in great numbers, we are left wondering what exactly is being done to better train crew members in the event of an emergency at sea or in port? Every crew member should have at least some familiarity with how to properly handle any onboard situation, including how to best evacuate passengers in the event of the vessel becoming disabled, what to do in the event of an onboard emergency, and most importantly how to keep themselves safe while on the job, especially when it comes to slip and fall accidents. Safety is the top priority for both passengers and crew members while onboard the ship. As passengers are continually coming onboard for an unforgettable time at sea, crew members must enforce safety protocol for everyone on board, in order to make sure that no ones life is put in immediate danger. Food for thought: If crew members are not following proper protocol to maintain onboard safety, how can they be trusted with ensuring a passengers onboard safety? Here are a few safety tips that crew members should follow to make sure that everyone remains safe and has an exceptional time while onboard. 

• Know the Maritime Laws: Since each vessel usually flies a foreign flag, it can be difficult to understand the difference between each countrys laws and what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Be sure to learn your cruise companys requirements, including regulatory maritime and cruise ship laws to ensure that you are putting your best foot forward at all times, and most importantly not endangering anyone.

 

• Participate in Safety Meetings: Upon each new boarding, crew members should participate in a safety meeting, usually carried out right before your ship leaves port. It is in these meetings that you will be informed of your duties in the case of an emergency and will be required to know where you need to congregate in the event of an accident or evacuation.

 

• Obtain certificates in Basic Firefighting, Survival at Sea and Basic First Aid: Once onboard a vessel, crew membersare expected to know how to operate lifeboats, where the boats and rafts are located, how to launch them, and know about the different fire-extinguishers onboard and what kind of fire they are used for. Basic First Aid is also required to address any type of non-life threatening injury while onboard.

 

• Acquire a pair of Slip Resistant Shoes: In order to help keep crew membersaccident free, slip resistant work shoes are a great asset to each crew member's uniform. With a slip resistantsole, crew members are kept safe at work and experience a decrease in slip and fall injuries when it comes to working around unseen spills.

  These are just a few of the many safety recommendations for cruise ship workers when it comes to staying safe at sea and at the port. It is crucial for crew members to understand that our responsibility is ensuring the safety of all who are onboard (including ourselves), as well as our duty to protect passengers as per maritime law.For more information on work safety tips, visit us on our website at srmax.com.