53Signal to prepare to abandon ship

53 Signal to prepare to abandon ship

 53.1 The signal to prepare to abandon ship is 1 short blast followed by 1 long blast on the ship’s whistle or siren, sounded at least 3 times in succession.

 53.2 If the master of a ship decides to abandon ship, the master must ensure that:

(a) the signal to prepare to abandon ship is sounded, and repeated on the ship’s electrically operated warning bell system; and

(b)  instructions stating what the passengers and crew must do are given over a public address system, if fitted, or by any other effective means available; and

(c) the engine-room telegraph is put to ‘Finished with Engines’, unless the master considers that it would adversely affect the safety of passengers and crew.

 53.3 If a ship is to be abandoned, the master of the ship must ensure that:

(a) any machinery or appliance whose operation could impede the safe abandonment of the ship is stopped, disengaged or otherwise rendered inoperative; and

(b) stabilisers, if extended and liable to interfere with survival craft, are retracted; and

(c) all crew members working below deck or in other parts of the ship distant from survival craft are warned by all means available that the ship is to be abandoned, in sufficient time to allow all crew members to reach their survival craft stations.