Cruise Safety
 

The bottom line concerning your safety on an commercial carrier like plane,
or ship falls upon the passenger. Once we board a ship, we immediately
start scanning exits, passages, and other ways to get off the ship in case
we have to in an emergency. We always book a veranda (balcony), so I
always see how far it is from our deck to the water and what's in between.
Once I'm satisfied, I lay out the flash lights and clothing we can slip in
to quickly. May sound a little paranoid, but it's usually paranoid people
that survive to help others. We we live smack dab in the middle of tornado
alley, so we are always prepared, hard hats, and all.

DO NOT depend on any crew member to get you off that ship. Each crew member
is responsible for a few hundred passengers, and who do you think is going
to jump into that life boat first?

I remember the troop ships of WWII that carried foam and canvas bottomed
floatation devices. I think if there were more of these on all ships, more
lives would be saved. Of course you might get a shark bite in your ass, but
at least he can't get to the rest of you. And these suckers don't sink.
With today's marine traffic, it shouldn't be long before rescue would reach
your position.