In the midst of a vast body of water such as the ocean, the idea of a fire may seem ridiculous. However, cruise ship fires are possible, therefore it is necessary to be prepared.
You may have a great deal of faith in cruise ships to keep you safe, and you should; they undergo emergency drills. However, should a fire break out on your trip, both during and after the incident, a maritime lawyer from Aronfeld Trial Lawyers would be of great help. Read on to learn about what to expect if your cruise ship experiences a fire on board.
Alarm
The first thing that you will likely hear when a fire breaks out on a cruise ship is an alarm. This alarm is designed to notify everyone on board of the emergency and to direct them to the nearest exits. The alarm will be loud and persistent, so it is important that you pay attention to it and follow the instructions of the crew.
Evacuation
If a fire breaks out on a cruise ship, the first priority of the crew will be to get all passengers and crew members off of the ship. This will usually involve an evacuation via lifeboats. It is important to follow the instructions of the crew during an evacuation, as they will have been trained on how to safely get everyone off of the ship.
Medical Assistance
If you or someone else is injured during the fire, it is important to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. The crew will have a list of designated medical personnel who will be able to provide aid. In addition, there will likely be an infirmary on board the ship that can provide basic medical care.
Investigation
Once the fire has been extinguished and everyone has been evacuated, the next step will be to investigate the cause of the fire. The investigation will be conducted by the cruise line and local authorities. It is important to cooperate with investigators, as they will need to gather information in order to determine what caused the fire and how to prevent it from happening again.
How Do You Prepare Incase of a Cruise Ship Fire
Overall, cruise ships are extremely safe. However, this does not mean that you should not psychologically prepare for the worst-case scenario on board, such as a fire. You can directly reduce your risk of danger at sea by taking the following steps.
Be Attentive
The ship’s mandatory safety drills are not merely for amusement; they are serious. All cruise ship employees are required by international law to lead guests in what is known as “muster exercises” before leaving the pier. During these muster drills, pay great attention to the instructions given to you, as they represent your emergency procedures.
During muster drills, you are educated on how to use the boat’s safety systems and how to locate and wear a life jacket. The staff also takes an effort to indicate emergency exit routes in the event of a fire. While it may appear that these drills are taking away from your vacation, they are crucial and required.
Find Evacuation Routes
Upon entering your room, you should locate the closest emergency exits that go outdoors. Sometimes, fire may occur at night, therefore it’s important to know the location of the emergency escape in case you need to locate it in the dark. Additionally, ensure you have a backup route in case your primary route is blocked or you panic.
Keep low
Smoke inhalation is a significant danger during a fire. If you are able to keep closer to the ground while attempting to access fresh air, you can lessen your risk of smoke inhalation, which frequently results in harm. In the event of an emergency, you should follow the instructions of crew members.
The experience of being onboard a cruise ship that catches fire can be a harrowing one. However, it is important to remember that the crew is trained to handle these situations and they will do everything they can to get the situation under control. If you find yourself in this situation, just make sure to follow the instructions of the crew and stay calm.
Taking Measures Following a Cruise Ship Fire
If investigations are conducted by maritime authorities from the country where the cruise ship is registered, it can be difficult for the passengers to find out what happened, why the fire started, and if the cruise line took all necessary safety procedures to protect them.
If you have been injured by a fire, fallen ill afterward, or injured by smoke inhalation, you should be able to file a claim against the cruise company liable for your injuries. Unfortunately, when it is difficult to gather information regarding the fire, lawsuits against cruise lines might become more challenging.
Due to the difficulties involved in bringing legal action against a cruise ship after a fire, it is crucial that you seek the representation of an experienced and competent attorney.