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Abandon-ship drill

A step-by-step walkthrough of the abandon-ship drill sequence from the general alarm through embarkation, launch, and post-launch survival routine. Each step references the primary IMO instrument that mandates or governs the requirement. Use for STCW basic safety training refresher, SMS drill preparation, and PSC inspection readiness.

Drill frequency reminder (SOLAS Reg III/19): Abandon-ship drills — monthly minimum. If more than 25% of crew have not participated in an abandon-ship drill on this vessel in the past month, drill within 24 hours of leaving port.

Drill sequence

Left column: action step. Right column: primary source reference.

#StepPrimary reference
1General alarm sounds — 7 short blasts + 1 long blast on the ship’s whistle and internal alarm bells. The officer of the watch broadcasts the abandon-ship signal over the PA system.SOLAS Reg III/6 (alarm signals); SOLAS Reg III/37.3 (muster list — alarm signal description)
2All crew proceed immediately to their muster stations as posted on the muster list. Passengers (if applicable) proceed to embarkation stations with lifejackets donned.SOLAS Reg III/8 (muster list contents — each person's station and duties); SOLAS Reg III/19.4
3Officers account for all persons using the muster list. Engineers, electricians, and pump-man designated to close watertight doors, fire dampers, and ventilation fans report status to the bridge.SOLAS Reg III/8.2 (muster list — duties at alarm); ISM Code §8
4Each crew member dons their immersion suit over normal clothing (not over a lifejacket). Target donning time: 2 minutes without assistance. Immersion suits are inspected at this point for zip integrity, wrist and face-seal condition.LSA Code Ch II §2.3.1 (immersion suit donning requirement); SOLAS Reg III/19.3.5
5Lifejackets donned over the immersion suit or survival suit as appropriate. Lifejackets with integrated light and whistle are verified by each wearer. Hydrostatic releases on self-inflating lifejackets are checked.LSA Code Ch II §2.2 (lifejacket requirements); SOLAS Reg III/7 (survival craft and rescue boats)
6Assigned crew members remove gripes and securing arrangements from the designated lifeboat. Bow and stern painters are rigged and tended by deck crew.SOLAS Reg III/11 (survival craft launching — launching appliances); LSA Code Ch IV
7The lifeboat is swung out to the embarkation position (gravity davit) or to the embarkation deck. Personnel embark in orderly fashion; the coxswain takes the helm; the engineer checks engine, fuel, and bilge.SOLAS Reg III/19.4.1 (drill — embarkation and lowering); LSA Code Ch IV §4.4
8Gravity davit lowering: check falls and gripes are clear; lower steadily by davit operator; boat crew hold off with boat hooks. On reaching the water, the crew releases the on-load release hook only when the boat is waterborne and falls are slack. For free-fall lifeboats: all crew strap in, inflate flotation bags confirmed, release secured until the master gives the order.SOLAS Reg III/17 (free-fall survival craft); LSA Code Ch IV §4.4.7; IMO MSC.1/Circ.1206 Rev.1
9Lifeboat engine started; forward and aft painters slipped. Boat moves ahead under engine power, clearing the ship’s side before stopping to confirm all crew aboard, embarked count vs. capacity list.LSA Code Ch IV §4.4.7.6 (engine — ahead power within 2 min); SOLAS Reg III/19
10EPIRB activated (if not auto-activated by hydrostatic release on free-float). SART switched on and stowed at height for radar detection. VHF radio set to Channel 16.LSA Code Ch V §5.1 (EPIRB); ITU Radio Regulations; GMDSS — SOLAS Reg IV/7
11Sea anchor deployed on the windward side to reduce drift and keep the bow into the sea. This reduces rolling and risk of swamping.LSA Code Ch IV §4.1.5.7 (sea anchor requirement — one per survival craft)
12All round-the-craft hatches and openings are secured. Water-activated lights are checked on all sides. Retro-reflective tape on outer hull verified visible.SOLAS Reg III/34 (maintenance of survival craft); LSA Code Ch IV §4.1.3 (marking and lighting)
13Pyrotechnics inventoried: parachute rocket flares (minimum 4 per craft), hand flares (minimum 6), buoyant smoke signals (minimum 2). Test firing of one hand flare is NOT performed during drill — safety check of label and expiry date only.LSA Code Ch III §3.1 (pyrotechnics); SOLAS Reg III/32 (inspection and maintenance)
14Leader (normally the most senior officer present) establishes a watch rotation — minimum 2-hour watches — to monitor for vessels, aircraft, and to manage food, water, and morale. Lookout assigned.IMO STCW Section B-VI — Survival craft proficiency; LSA Code Ch IV
15Hypothermia management: keep personnel out of the water; huddle survivors together to reduce heat loss; use thermal protective aids (TPAs) for non-suited survivors; avoid alcohol and unnecessary exertion.LSA Code Ch II §2.5 (thermal protective aids — 10% of craft capacity); IMO STCW Basic Safety Training
16Post-launch rations managed: water ration 500 mL per person per day initially; no food in the first 24 hours (reduces metabolic demand for water); reduce water ration if desalinator or rainwater not available. Inventory recorded.LSA Code Ch IV §4.1.5.1–4.1.5.4 (food and water rations per person)
17On sighting a rescuing vessel or aircraft: activate SART; discharge parachute flare (above 300 m altitude); use hand flares when rescuing vessel is within 5 nm. VHF Ch 16 call. Do not simultaneously deploy all signals — space them out.LSA Code Ch III §3.1 (pyrotechnics use); GMDSS Ch 5 — SAR procedures
18On rescue: all survivors assisted aboard; hypothermia cases handled horizontally and rewarmed gradually. Medical officer notified. Ship’s log entry of persons rescued and condition completed by master.IMO SAR Convention (IAMSAR Manual Vol I–III); SOLAS Reg V/33 (duty to assist persons in distress)

Frequently asked questions

How often must an abandon-ship drill be conducted under SOLAS?
SOLAS Regulation III/19.3 requires an abandon-ship drill to be conducted at least once a month. Additionally, if more than 25% of the crew have not participated in an abandon-ship drill on that vessel within the preceding month, a drill must be held within 24 hours of leaving port. Muster and fire drills must be held within 24 hours of leaving a port where more than 25% of the complement joined the ship.
What is the target time for donning an immersion suit?
LSA Code Chapter IV requires that an immersion suit be capable of being donned without assistance in not more than 2 minutes, including any necessary clothing. Drills should verify this time in practice, and the suit must be tried on over clothing (not a lifejacket) before confirming the 2-minute target is achievable by all crew members.
What equipment is required inside a SOLAS survival craft (lifeboat)?
LSA Code Chapter IV specifies the required complement: food rations (10,000 kJ per person), fresh water (1.5 L per person per day for 3 days, or hand-operated desalinator), first-aid kit, sea anchor, paddle, bailer, hand pump, torch, radar reflector, SART (search and rescue transponder), EPIRB (if not fitted externally), pyrotechnics (parachute flares, hand flares, buoyant smoke signals), thermal protective aids (10% of capacity), fire extinguisher, and survival instructions.
What special precautions apply to lifeboat drills under IMO MSC.1/Circ.1206?
IMO MSC.1/Circ.1206 (Rev.1) — Measures to Prevent Accidents with Lifeboats — recommends that lifeboats should only be lowered to the embarkation deck or to the water when the fall wire condition has been verified, a competent person is in charge, and all personnel are clear of the danger zone below the boat. The circular prohibits lowering a lifeboat with persons embarked unless the wire gripes and rope falls have been inspected within the last 12 months. Hook release must only be tested at the water level, never when suspended.

Sources

See also

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