Safety on ferries and boats: briefing, life jackets, muster station

At sea help is further away than on land. An ambulance cannot simply pull up, and in water the body quickly loses heat and strength. That is why safety on board relies on preparation: everyone should know where the life-saving equipment is and where to go when the alarm sounds, before anything happens.

The muster station is the place where the crew counts passengers in an emergency, hands out life jackets and leads people on in an orderly way. Anyone who has walked the route once will find it at night, when the vessel is listing or when corridors are crowded. The signs for it are usually green and white, like escape route signs in buildings.

A correctly worn life jacket keeps a person at the surface even when their strength fades. A jacket lying under the seat only helps if you reach it and put it on in time. On small boats, which can capsize or sink quickly, that time is often not there.

A quick look is worthwhile even before boarding: does the boat look well kept? Are there clearly more people on board than seats? Are life jackets visible, including children's sizes? With small operators, feel free to ask. Large ships in international service have strict rules; small boats and domestic services often have other, sometimes lower, standards.

A life jacket only helps if it fits and is fastened. Close and tighten all buckles and straps; a well-fitting jacket does not ride up over the chin when you pull it upwards at the shoulders. Children need jackets in their size – an adult jacket can slip over a child's head.

On night ferries, keep clothes and shoes within reach, memorise the route from cabin to muster station and have a headlamp by the bed. When the alarm sounds, take warm clothing, life jacket and essential medication – luggage stays behind. People always come before suitcases.

Sudden immersion in cold water can trigger cold shock: you gasp involuntarily and breathe rapidly and uncontrollably. Anyone who breathes in water at this moment or tries to swim frantically can easily get into trouble. This reaction eases after a short time – if you get through it.

That is why the lifeboat charity RNLI recommends “Float to Live” for an unexpected fall into water: lie on your back, spread arms and legs slightly, float and calm your breathing. Only when your breathing is under control again, call for help or swim to something that floats or to the shore. A whistle on the life jacket helps you be heard.

If you see someone fall into the water, alert the crew immediately, keep the person in sight and, if possible, throw them something that floats, such as a lifebuoy. Do not jump in after them – that usually puts a second person in danger. Someone who comes out of the water chilled needs protection from further heat loss and medical help.

When the alarm sounds: stay calm, listen to announcements and follow the crew's instructions. The crew is trained for such situations and knows which areas are safe. Go to the muster station quickly but without running, and hold children by the hand.

Do not jump into the water on your own initiative unless the vessel must be abandoned. Even damaged, a ship is often a better place than the open water for a long time. If the crew orders you to abandon ship, follow their instructions to lifeboats or life rafts.

Steering or sailing boats yourself is a separate subject that requires training and is not part of this entry. This is about what every passenger can do: listen, know the life jackets and muster station, wear a life jacket on small boats and follow the crew in an emergency.