Passenger Musters at Embarkation: Before Departure, No Longer Within 24 Hours
Whenever new passengers embark, III/19.2.3 requires a safety briefing immediately before or after departure. If scheduled time aboard exceeds 24 hours, III/19.2.2 also requires a muster before or immediately upon departure; the briefing may be included in the muster. These duties are not alternatives.
Operational Explanation
Whenever new passengers embark, III/19.2.3 requires a safety briefing immediately before or after departure. If scheduled time aboard exceeds 24 hours, III/19.2.2 also requires a muster before or immediately upon departure; the briefing may be included in the muster. These duties are not alternatives. MSC.350(92).
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.
The briefing covers lifejacket use and emergency actions, through an announcement over the public address system or equivalent means in one or more languages likely to be understood by passengers. Cards, posters and videos may supplement the announcement, not replace it (III/19.2.3).
Scope of Application
The briefing covers every newly embarked group, including on long voyages and at subsequent ports. The 24-hour threshold determines the additional muster duty; it does not restrict briefing to short voyages.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Determine scheduled time aboard.
- Over 24 hours: muster newly embarked passengers aboard at stations before or immediately upon departure.
- At every new embarkation: provide the briefing immediately before or after departure, integrating it into the required muster where appropriate.
- Repeat the relevant measure for passengers joining at later ports.
Practical Example
For a three-day voyage, newly embarked passengers muster aboard at their stations before or immediately upon departure. A terminal activity may support the briefing but does not replace that muster.
What Typically Goes Wrong
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| Still applying, out of habit or outdated training, the old rule of a muster 'within 24 hours of departure' | Non-compliance with SOLAS III/19 as amended from 2015, with passengers lacking safety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 procedures and training by distinguishing the full muster over 24 hours from the safety briefing at 24 hours or less, with the respective timing in III/19.2.2 and III/19.2.3 |
| 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 |
What the PSCO Checks
Operational Tips
- State both duties: muster before or immediately upon departure when scheduled time aboard exceeds 24 hours; briefing immediately before or after departure for all new passengers, including on longer voyages.
- For multiple embarkation ports, assign responsibility for the relevant measure for every new group.
- Record date, time, scheduled duration and the measure applied to the specific departure.
Preparation checklist
- Scheduled duration checked
- Onboard muster for voyages over 24 hours
- Briefing for all newly embarked passengers, including over 24 hours
- New passengers at later ports included
FAQ
Related Topics
Last substantive revision of this page: 16 September 2026 · page fingerprint c5dcdd69e2d0