Possible fire on board
For detecting any fire as soon as possible all ships have a fire control system with detectors e.g. in the cabins, corridors, restaurants, kitchens, and on the car deck, which have been directly connected to the control panels that are being monitored continuously. Each ship has its own fire brigade and regular fire guard rounds are made throughout the ship. Fire hydrants have been strategically placed in different parts of the ship. In addition, there are fixed extinguisher systems e.g. in the engine room, kitchens and on the car deck. Each ship has 6–10 smoke divers with special training simultaneously on board. In case of a fire the ship’s firefighting team will arrive within minutes.
Effectively practised evacuation procedures
In case of a possible need to evacuate the passengers there are specific routines for each deck. The decks have in turn been divided into sections with specially equipped evacuation groups that will guide the passengers to the assembly stations. In case of alarm the crew shall check all cabins to ensure that everyone has come out. The directions for evacuation can be found on the inside of each cabin door. The route to the assembly stations is shown with illuminated green signs. At floor levels, the corridors are marked with fluorescent mouldings and luminescent light fixtures. Lifts must never be used in emergency situations! An alarm will sound via the public loudspeaker system (7 short signals and 1 long) and will be audible everywhere on board. Crew members practise these evacuation procedures regularly.
There are lifejackets for everyone
There are more lifejackets on board than the maximum number of passengers allowed. So you will never need to worry about there not being enough lifejackets. The lifejackets meet all the standards specified by the maritime authorities. They are stored in the immediate vicinity of the assembly stations. There are also lifejackets for children. The crew will distribute the lifejackets.
Lifeboats and rafts
In case the vessel is to be evacuated, there is room for all passengers and crew members in the lifeboats and rafts that are on board. Passengers will embark in the lifeboats at their assembly station. The boats will be launched using a davit (crane). The lifeboats will be manoeuvred by the crew. Life rafts will either be activated on board, in which case passengers will embark at their assembly station and the rafts will be launched by crane, or the rafts will first be lowered into the sea, in which case embarkation will take place using a slide system. Life rafts contain all the necessary equipment: water, paddles, lighting devices, emergency flares, and first aid equipment.
Adapting to the prevailing weather conditions
Weather and wind affect our vessels to some extent. To ensure that you and your fellow passengers will be safe and comfortable, we adapt our routes and speeds to the prevailing weather conditions. Stabilizers minimize the tendency to roll. When our vessels are at sea, the pilot and bunker hatches are always locked. The safety of the vessel is more important than our timetable. In case of rough weather, delays may occur.