Musters and Abandon Ship Drill
The muster list, new crew familiarisation and the frequency of abandon ship drills: the first thing a PSC inspector checks on boarding.
Operational Explanation
The muster list assigns every crew member specific duties in the event of an emergency (muster station, role in the firefighting or abandon ship team, responsibilities towards passengers if present). Abandon ship drills and periodic musters verify that this organisation actually works, not just on paper.
Familiarising new crew members with the safety equipment and emergency procedures, to be completed within a short period of joining, is often the most critical point: a new crew member not yet familiarised reduces the collective effectiveness of the emergency response.
Regulatory Reference
SOLAS Chapter III, Regulation 19 (Emergency training and drills): abandon ship drill and fire drill at least every month; a drill within 24 hours of departure if more than 25% of the crew has not taken part in a drill on the same ship in the previous month; every crew member must receive familiarisation with the safety equipment and emergency procedures as soon as possible and in any case not later than 2 weeks after joining.
Scope of Application
Every ship subject to SOLAS Chapter III, for the entire crew and, on passenger ships, with additional information and drill requirements also for the passengers themselves.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Ensure the muster list is posted in visible locations and assigns a clear task to every crew member.
- Conduct the abandon ship drill at least once a month, including donning the immersion suit/lifejacket and simulating reaching the embarkation station.
- Familiarise every new crew member with the safety equipment within 2 weeks of joining, as soon as possible.
- Conduct a drill within 24 hours of departure if more than 25% of the crew has not taken part in a drill on the ship in the previous month.
- Record every drill and familiarisation session, with date, scenario and participants, in the log book/SMS register.
Practical Example
Example entry: "Abandon ship drill 01.07.2026: entire crew reaches the lifeboat no.1 embarkation station in 6 minutes, immersion suit donning verified for a sample of 3 crew members. Familiarisation completed for 2 new crew members (joined 25.06.2026)."
Real Cases
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| New crew member not familiarised within the required 2 weeks | PSC deficiency, real risk in the event of an emergency before familiarisation is completed | Schedule familiarisation as soon as possible after joining, don't postpone it |
| Muster list not updated after a crew change | Emergency duties not correctly assigned to the crew members actually on board | Update the muster list immediately at every crew change |
| Abandon ship drill without practical donning of the equipment (immersion suit, lifejacket) | The crew does not gain real familiarity with timing and practical difficulties | Periodically include practical donning of the equipment, not just simulation of the route to the station |
PSC Observations
Operational Tips
- Never postpone the familiarisation of new crew members: schedule it in the first days after joining.
- Update the muster list on the same day as every crew change, not retrospectively.
- Periodically include practical donning of the equipment in drills, not just simulation of the route.
Checklist
- Muster list posted, updated and consistent with the crew actually on board
- Monthly abandon ship drill conducted and recorded
- New crew familiarisation completed within 2 weeks of joining
- Drill within 24h of departure if >25% of the crew has not taken part in the previous month
- Practical donning of equipment periodically included in drills