Call to Muster

[Top_of_the_Cube]

Reading through another post, a very interesting discussion (to me) developed regarding muster drills.  I really appreciate learning from the experts who patiently correct and educate landlubbers like myself.

 

But from that conversation, I became curious about something, but didn't want to take the other post too far afield.  So I am asking it here on a new thread.  Have you ever experienced a call to muster while a passenger on a cruise ship?

[Heidi13]

34 minutes ago, Top_of_the_Cube said:

Reading through another post, a very interesting discussion (to me) developed regarding muster drills.  I really appreciate learning from the experts who patiently correct and educate landlubbers like myself.

 

But from that conversation, I became curious about something, but didn't want to take the other post too far afield.  So I am asking it here on a new thread.  Have you ever experienced a call to muster while a passenger on a cruise ship?

 

With over 500 days as a pax, we fortunately have never heard the GES signal outside a drill, so have not had to proceed to the Assembly Stations.

 

In my almost 30 yrs in command, I have only ever mustered pax once and that was when the ship was in port.

 

In providing a negative response, I look forward to the responses from the great cruise critic contributors, on the Viking Board, that survived the Viking Sky, which was a harrowing experience.

[rkacruiser]

1 hour ago, Heidi13 said:

In providing a negative response, I look forward to the responses from the great cruise critic contributors, on the Viking Board, that survived the Viking Sky, which was a harrowing experience.

 

Hopefully, CC contributors who were aboard Star Princess when a fire began will respond as well.  

[pris993]

no, not on the 60 plus cruise on 9 different lines. 

[MBP&O2/O]

Not on a cruise ship, but an oil tanker, although to be fair the alarm was not sounded as we had no power😵‍💫

[Shmoo here]

3 hours ago, Top_of_the_Cube said:

Reading through another post, a very interesting discussion (to me) developed regarding muster drills.  I really appreciate learning from the experts who patiently correct and educate landlubbers like myself.

 

But from that conversation, I became curious about something, but didn't want to take the other post too far afield.  So I am asking it here on a new thread.  Have you ever experienced a call to muster while a passenger on a cruise ship?

Not totally a call to muster, but we were awakened at 3 am one night at sea.  In my sleep-filled stupor I recognized the "7 short 1 long" blast, and knew it was not a drill.  I knew I needed to get up and put on some clothes, and wait in my room for further directions.  After about 15 minutes, there was a ship-wide announcement that a fire in the engine room had triggered the alarm, but all was under control and the fire was out.

[BklynBoy8]

Sailing since 1971 and experience over half a dozen lines and have never been called to Muster.

 

We have experienced Medical Emergencies on board and On Board Engineering Emergencies that did not need to call us to Muster.

 

One time we were during an unsettled time in the world on a Caribbean cruise on the QE2 and three different times, we were escorted by Frigates a longside without incidents.

 

All the times we were confident and assured we were safe on board. 

[JDincalif]

On 10/20/2022 at 11:27 AM, Heidi13 said:

In providing a negative response, I look forward to the responses from the great cruise critic contributors, on the Viking Board, that survived the Viking Sky, which was a harrowing experience.

Andy, we presume we speak for many fellow March 2019 Viking Sky passengers when we thank you once again for your expertise and insights. You helped us to understand what happened and to heal following those 20-something hours on the Viking Sky.

 

Our experience: Hearing the GES after hours of ship rocking/rolling/shuddering/slamming, we were worried yet reassured by the fact that we thought we knew what to do and what to expect: dress warmly, proceed downstairs to our assigned muster station, probably wait there for a while until the situation settled. When the captain announced that 'mayday' had been called, our concern deepened. Then when the captain announced the order to abandon ship *but* that the lifeboats could not be used, we became truly alarmed - no muster drill had prepared us for this.

 

We recount this with deep and abiding gratitude for all those on the ship and beyond who worked tirelessly to see us to safety.

[Top_of_the_Cube]

Thanks, @JDincalif, for sharing.  Can't even imagine what you and others  went through, but it should remind us all to take some time from the fun and frivolity in order to familiarize ourselves with these most basic safety protocols.

 

I wish more would post their stories.  It might help us understand that while most of us will never experience an actual call to muster, some of us will.

[evandbob]

Not on over 50 cruises equivilent to about a year's worth of sail nights.

 

But good to be prepared, JIC, for the very slim chance that muster awareness is needed in an emergency.

[kamelia]

We have experienced several medical evacuations and even ridden out a hurricane, and only one time been called to our muster station.  There had been a report of someone going overboard around 1:00a, and after several in-stateroom announcements requesting the person call the front desk, the decision was made to muster everyone and do a head count.   It turned out to be a false alarm (thankfully!).  After 136 cruises, I consider that to be a statistically pretty rare occurrence.  [I should note that the assembling that morning went reasonably smoothly, but there were some knuckleheads still in their staterooms when the stewards did their final checks...]

[BklynBoy8]

I would never not attend or listen to the Muster Drill Instructions thinking I know it from the past.

 

Never know any necessary changes have come about. And all the attention should be given when the Captain talks at any time. 

[rkacruiser]

23 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:

And all the attention should be given when the Captain talks at any time. 

 

"Should be" does not seem to be in the minds of some of our fellow guests.  Disappointing when a bunch of adults have to be admonished during Muster ALL QUIET ON DECK! by the Captain.  Embarrassing when he has to do it more than once.  

[MBP&O2/O]

.... or, as the man said "Listen with your ears - not your mouth!" 😀