Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# Passenger Musters at Embarkation: Before Departure, No Longer Within 24 Hours

A still-common mistake: assuming the muster for newly embarked passengers must take place within 24 hours of departure. Since 2015 the SOLAS rule has required it before departure, or immediately upon departure.

SOLAS III/19 passenger muster Costa Concordia safety drill

## Operational Explanation

Following the Costa Concordia accident, IMO adopted amendments in 2013 to SOLAS Regulation III/19, entering into force on 1° January 2015, which replaced the previous requirement of a muster "within 24 hours of departure" with the obligation to carry out the muster of newly embarked passengers before departure, or immediately upon departure.

This change eliminates the time window in which, under the previous rule, a ship could sail for almost an entire day with passengers who had not yet received basic safety instructions or did not yet know their emergency station. The muster must include instructions on the use of personal life-saving appliances, the location of emergency stations and the behaviour required in the event of a general alarm.

## Regulatory Reference

SOLAS Regulation III/19, as amended by Resolution MSC.350(92) (2013), in force from 1° January 2015: muster of newly embarked passengers required before departure or immediately upon departure, no longer within 24 hours as under the previous version of the rule.

## Scope of Application

Every passenger ship subject to SOLAS Chapter III, for every group of new passengers embarked before each departure.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Plan the muster of newly embarked passengers so it takes place before departure, or at the latest immediately upon departure, never later.
2. Include in the muster instructions on the use of personal life-saving appliances available in the cabin or nearby.
3. Clearly indicate the assigned emergency station and the route to reach it from the cabin or common area.
4. Document that the muster was carried out for every departure, including passengers with special needs requiring assistance.
5. For ships with frequent embarkations at successive ports (itineraries with partial embarkation/disembarkation), ensure the muster properly covers every new group of passengers, not just the initial one.

## Practical Example

Example: a cruise ship with daily departures from a home port organises the safety muster for newly embarked passengers directly at the terminal before boarding, completing it before actual departure, in compliance with the post-2015 requirement.

## Real Cases

The Costa Concordia accident (2012) highlighted how too wide a gap between embarkation and the first safety muster leaves passengers exposed in the event of an early-voyage emergency: the 2013 amendment structurally eliminated this risk window, moving the obligation to before departure.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Still applying, out of habit or outdated training, the old rule of a muster 'within 24 hours of departure' | Non-compliance with SOLAS III/19 as amended from 2015, with passengers lacking safety instructions for a stretch of the voyage | Update crew procedures and training to the current rule: muster before departure or immediately upon departure
Muster incomplete for passengers with special assistance needs | Vulnerable passengers without a clear assistance plan in the event of an emergency | Identify and document assistance needs during check-in, integrating them into the muster plan

## PSC Observations

PSCOs check the documentation of musters carried out for recent departures and may interview passengers themselves, as well as the crew, on the timing and content of the safety instructions received.

## Operational Tips

- Never rely on onboard procedures not updated to the 2015 requirement: verify they explicitly state 'before departure or immediately upon departure'.
- For itineraries with multiple embarkations, assign clear responsibility for who carries out the muster for each new group of passengers.
- Always document that the muster took place, with date, time and reference to the specific departure.

## Checklist

- Onboard procedures updated to the 'before departure' requirement (no longer 24 hours)
- Muster carried out and documented for every group of newly embarked passengers
- Instructions on personal life-saving appliances included in the muster
- Emergency station and route clearly communicated
- Special assistance needs identified and integrated into the muster plan

## FAQ

When must the muster of newly embarked passengers take place?
Before departure, or immediately upon departure, per SOLAS III/19 as amended in 2013 and in force from 1 January 2015. No longer within 24 hours, as under the previous version of the rule.
Why was the rule on passenger musters changed?
Following the Costa Concordia accident (2012), to eliminate the time window in which passengers could sail for almost a full day without basic safety instructions.
What must the muster of newly embarked passengers include?
Instructions on the use of personal life-saving appliances, the location of the assigned emergency station, and the behaviour required in the event of a general alarm.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Musters and Abandon Ship Drill Evacuation Analysis on Passenger Ships

### Leave feedback

Help us improve the platform during the beta -- it takes thirty seconds.

How useful do you find the platform so far?
Comment (optional)
Sign me up for the newsletter
Role