Monday, February 11, 2008

The inevitable lifeboat drill


This "out of space" looking life raft holds 36 people, 3 more than thenumber of people aboard. As you can see it is stowed on an incline.In order for everybody to be in a sitting position when afloat, wemust lie on our backs prior to launch. Each seat is numbered. Maland I are 10 and 11. The launch of the life raft can be quiteballistic so, during the drill, a crew member adjusted our seat belts. They will remain this way for the rest of the trip. I'm afraidpeople who are claustrophobic would find this drill very challenging:there is approximately a 26" clearance between seat itself and themolded support for the seat ahead.
The raft has propulsion and steering capabilities. The last man toenter the pod is the helmsman. One has to wonder. If the boat issinking in the middle of nowhere where exactly would he be taking us?The thought crossed my mind that it might be easier to don one's lifejacket and jump overboard!

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