Drills and surveys
Fire drills
Regular training of the whole crew’s fire-fighting action: running out hoses, dressing the fire-fighters, cutting the ventilation, reports. The frequency is set by SOLAS.
Key facts
- Every crew member takes part in at least one fire drill (and one abandon ship drill) every month.
- The tasks at a fire alarm come from the muster list: who fights the fire, who backs up, who commands, who cuts the ventilation and the fuel.
- The drill includes reporting to stations, starting a fire pump with at least two jets of water, checking the fire-fighter’s outfits, the communication equipment, and the watertight and fire doors and the fire dampers.
- If more than 25% of the crew did not take part in drills on that ship in the previous month, the drills take place within 24 hours of leaving port.
- On the competence level: everyone trains basic fire fighting (STCW A-VI/1-2), and the designated people train to lead the action (STCW A-VI/3).
Watch out
The drill frequency is set by SOLAS Chapter III, together with the abandon ship drills, not by Chapter II-2. The intervals above come from regulation III/19.
How it looks in practice
- Drills often merge into one scenario: a fire alarm in the engine room, the fire-fighters dress, enter the compartment and come out safely. The smoke effect can be made by taping a black bag over the mask.
- After a fire that in the scenario "could not" be brought under control, the Master orders abandon ship: muster per the muster list and a check of the duties, and if the weather allows, lowering the boats. The full cycle with launching is usually done in port, with the harbour master’s consent.
From the deck: sea practice, not regulation. Details vary with the ship and the owner.
Legal basis
SOLAS II-2 (operational requirements, part E) and SOLAS III/19; the muster list: SOLAS III/8 and III/37.
This is not a legal text: when in doubt, the current wording of the Convention and the FSS Code decides.
Related STCW training
Advanced fire fighting (STCW A-VI/3).