Lifeboat drill

One of the most important parts of being aboard a vessel, is training for emergencies. Today we had our monthly lifeboat drill, were we embarked the lifeboat, and launched it. Once the boat was floating we released the winch wires, and tested the lifeboats engine, and maneuver capabilities. To be quite honest, it maneuvers like a hay sack, and it takes a lot of patience to get it into position. Today it luckily was quite low winds, so I managed, after some attempts to maneuver it to its intended position so we could reattach the lifting wires.

One needs to be really alert when operating these crafts. There are several serious accidents while training with these boats each year. Some claim that lifeboat exercises kills more sailors in a year, than the number of sailors being saved. But still we need to carry out these drills. We always try to be careful, but accidents happens.

The interior of the lifeboat is far from constructed for comfort. I can imagine putting 103 guys into this craft, strap them all to the seat belts, launch into rough seas, and then maybe stay in the lifeboat for hours - maybe days, will not be a pleasant experience. I guess that if you manage to stay on good terms with all in such a situation, you may be able to stay on good terms with all.