When and how to abandon
Abandonment is ordered by the Master only when the ship can no longer support the crew — the rule is to 'step up' into the survival craft, leaving the ship only when she is a greater danger than the sea. Where possible, survivors board the survival craft directly and dry. If entering the water is unavoidable, it is done correctly: look before jumping, hold the lifejacket down and cover the nose and mouth, jump feet-first from as low as possible, and swim clear of the ship and toward the craft. Every step is aimed at avoiding injury and cold shock and reaching the craft.
Entering the water when unavoidable
- Check the water below is clear of debris, people and the craft.
- Hold the lifejacket down at the front, and cover the nose and mouth with the other hand.
- Step or jump feet-first, from as low a point as possible, keeping the body straight.
- On surfacing, swim clear of the ship and toward the survival craft, and link up with others.
WARNING — Step up into the raft, don't jump if you can board dry A disabled ship is usually a better survival platform than the sea. Abandon only on the order and as a last resort, and board the craft directly and dry where you can rather than entering the water.
TIP — Feet-first, lifejacket held down If you must jump, jump feet-first from as low as possible with the lifejacket held down and the airway covered, to avoid the lifejacket riding up and injuring you and to protect against cold-water shock.