Common Elements of Musters and Emergency Instructions Policy

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea ("SOLAS"), Chapter III, Regulations 8 and 19, require musters and emergency instructions to be provided for passengers. In addition to the legal requirements, CLIA oceangoing members have adopted a policy that musters and emergency instructions are to include the following common elements:

1. When and how to don a lifejacket
2. Description of emergency signals and appropriate responses in the event of an emergency
3. Location of lifejackets
4. Where to muster when the emergency signal is sounded
5. Method of accounting for passenger attendance at musters both for training and in the event of an actual emergency
6. How information will be provided in an emergency
7. What to expect if the Master orders an evacuation of the ship
8. What additional safety information is available
9. Instructions on whether passengers should return to cabins prior to mustering, including specifics regarding medications, clothing, and lifejackets
10. Description of key safety systems and features
11. Emergency routing systems and recognizing emergency exits
12. Who to seek out for additional information

CLIA is the world's largest cruise industry trade association and is dedicated to the promotion of a safe and secure cruise ship environment. CLIA is composed of cruise lines serving North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia for whom the safety of guests and crew has no higher priority. With the advice and consent of its membership, CLIA advances policies intended to enhance shipboard safety, in some cases calling for best practices in excess of existing legal requirements.