Safety onboard RRS James Cook
A lot of those joining the ship as well as friends and family back home ask about working at sea and how safe it is. They have visions of "World's Deadliest Catch" with scientists working on wave swamped decks in massive storms throwing the ship around like a rag doll - this image couldn't be further from the truth!
I think this impression stems from the fact that they do not know how central safety is to all operations we conduct! This article looks at safety on our ship's and highlights how important we view it.
The truth is working at sea is totally different from working on land - if you have a fire at home you call the fire brigade. If you have an accident that requires medical assistance you phone for an ambulance.
At sea these services aren't readily available and the crew of our ships are trained and practice frequently to deal with these situations in the unlikely event that they arise.
These safety precautions start long before arriving at the ship- all those sailing onboard must be in possession of an ENG1 and certification in Personal Survival Techniques at sea. An ENG1 is a medical certificate that proves that you’re physically fit and able to work at sea. Each seafarer has to periodically undertake this medical to continue working at sea.
The Sea Survival certificate is gained by undertaking a course (usually a day) that involves learning a diverse range of skills that would be necessary in an emergency at sea such as launching life rafts, righting life rafts and the correct methods for jumping from a stricken vessel whilst wearing a lifejacket are just a few of the skills taught during this course.
Without these certificates you would not be permitted to sail.
This day is considerably intensive and is split between time in a class room and time in a pool applying the learnt techniques whilst sirens blare, lights flash and your sprayed with cold water to simulate a disorientating environment.
Above: All those going to sea onboard RRS James Cook undertake a Sea Survival Coure
On arrival at the ship both crew and scientists are giving a detailed talk on safety and emergency procedures onboard as well as checking that they have all the necessary documentation to sail.
During this talk new arrivals are made familiar with Emergency Signals, Emergency Procedures, Life-saving and sea survival equipment and a whole range of information relating to living and working safely on-board our ships.
Especially important when working onboard our ships is PPE - Personal Protective Equipment. These are working ships so everyone needs clothing that will keep them safe in this environment, minimum PPE is Overalls, Steel toe-capped boots and hard hat. Other jobs onboard will require additional PPE that could include eye-protection, ear defenders and gloves to name but a few. Before you join the ship check what PPE you require, this may very for the science conducted and the environment i.e tropics, Southern Ocean etc
Above: remember your PPE
Periodically in accordance wil SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Regulations we practice an emergency drill (you also have to practice a boat drill before the ship leaves port or within the first 24hrs depending on the cruise length)
These can be daunting for first timers - but there is little to worry about, these drills are simply to ensure you know what to do in an emergency and everyone has to attend.
These drills involve everyone assembling at their designate muster point on the ship (muster stations) when the general alarm is sounded (Seven short blasts and one long blast on the ships horn)- this is known as mustering.
When you muster you should always turn up in cold weather gear with a hat. You may think this is stupid when on a cruise in the tropics, but in the unlikely event you find yourself in a liferaft or lifeboat at night you may need the added warmth as temperatures may drop significantly - you can always take the extra layers off, but you can't put them on if you haven’t got them!
Above: Scientists at their muster station during a drill. The crew member on the left is taking roll call
Once mustered there is a roll call where one of the crew check everyone in that muster group is present. After roll call we wait for further instructions from the bridge. In a standard drill this usually involves everyone making their way to their pre-assigned lifeboat stations (port or starboard) where lifejackets are donned.
A talk is then given on the methods for entering the lifeboat and strapping yourself in and the roles of each crew member when launching the lifeboats.
 
Above Left: Scientist and crew at their lifeboat station
Above Right: One of our two lifeboats
However, drills vary from cruise to cruise. Some drills involve the use of our smoke simulation machine that fills areas of the ship with "fake" harmless smoke. This allows our onboard fire fighting teams to practice operating in areas with limited or no visibility. I have volunteered to be a casualty for several exercises and it is reassuring to see how highly trained our crew are at evacuating and treating casualties. Other drills may involve man-overboard simulation (using a dummy), pirates (they still operate in some parts of the world and have done away with cutlasses and now carry rocket propelled grenades and machine guns) and casualty evacuation are to name but a few.
Above: Using a smoke machine to simulate low visibility onbord RRS James Cook
  
Above: In some climates it is necessary to learn how to don immersion suits. They may look stupid but without it the wearer would succumb to hypothermia in minutes
Above: Pirates still operate in some parts of the world and have been making headlines in recent months
Above: Scientists aren't involved in direct fire fighting onboard but they may be trained to use the fire hoses in the unlikely event they are called on to help in boundary cooling
Your cabin and corridors throughout the ship will contain a variety of safety equipment and safety booklets. This will include information on:
- How to recognize the ship's emergency signals (alarm bells and whistle signals are normally supplemented by announcements made over the ship's public address system)
- The location of life preservers
- Instructions and pictures explaining how to put on the life preserver; and the lifeboat to which passengers are assigned.
It is highly advisable that you read and become familiar with the safety booklets in your cabin. These contain detailed information on preventing accidents at sea
Above: Safety booklets found in each cabin
Above: Each cabin contains a diagram showing escape routes as well as information on alarms and your assigned lifeboat - learn it!
 
Above: In your cabin you will find your life jacket. It is worth praticing putting this on. Instructions like those below can be found throughout the ship to show you the correct was for donning these jackets as they may vary rfom ships you may have been on before.
 
Above: Crew practicing with their lifejackets
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