How to Abandon Ship: From the Alarm to the Rescue Boat
▶ PLAY FREE NOWNo download · Phone or PC · 4–5 minutes per runPeople who survive an abandon-ship emergency usually protect their skin and body, go down at the point closest to the water, get away from the ship and the fire, then stay together and save their strength. This article draws on the US War Department's WWII manual FM 21-22, Watermanship (1944), US Navy survival training materials, and the principles of today's basic safety training for seafarers. In a real situation, the instructions of the crew and rescue authorities come first.
1. When the alarm sounds: your assigned place, skin covered
- When an alarm sounds, don't stop to ask whether it is a drill. Go to your assigned muster or battle station. Don't go on deck to watch.
- The flash of an explosion or fire burns bare skin. WWII sailors wore anti-flash hoods and gloves, and just keeping your sleeves down and your clothes on reduces burns.
- Don't go back for belongings during an alarm. Watertight doors close and the way gets blocked.
2. Explosions and smoke: stay low
- When you hear a blast, drop flat at once. A standing body takes the most shrapnel and blast.
- In smoke, stay low, cover your nose and mouth with cloth, and crawl toward the exit with a hand on the wall. Smoke and heat gather high.
- If a big shock is coming, grab something solid and bend your knees to get low.
3. Life jacket early, straps tight
Put on your life jacket and tie the straps tight before the abandon-ship order comes. A life jacket is the last piece of gear that keeps a worn-out body afloat. FM 21-22 says that when you jump, hold the jacket down with one hand or tie it to your belt with a short line.
4. Going down: from a low point, by line and net
- If possible, go down from the point closest to the water (toward the bow or stern).
- US Navy survival training materials say to use a ladder, net, line or fire hose before jumping.
- Avoid the side where oil or fire is floating, and the side of a moving ship's screws.
5. If you must jump
FM 21-22: look down, take a deep breath, and go feet first, don't dive. Keep your legs together and your body straight, and don't try to break the fall with your hands. Jump as far from the ship as you can.
6. Once in the water: get away from the ship
US Navy survival training materials warn that if you are downwind, a ship drifting with the wind can reach you faster than you can swim away. FM 21-22 says to get at least 50 yards (about 45 m) from a sinking ship.
7. Burning oil
- If oil is floating, swim upwind to leave the slick quickly.
- If fire approaches, swim into the wind and splash water ahead and to the sides to push the flames away from your face (FM 21-22).
- Diving under the fire and swimming through is a last resort, only when you are truly trapped.
8. Underwater explosions
The shock of an explosion in the water badly injures a body that is submerged. FM 21-22 says that when you fear an explosion from a ship, torpedo or bomb, float on your back (backstroke position) to protect yourself.
9. Stay together, save your strength
- Staying together makes it easier for rescuers to find you and helps everyone keep up strength and spirits.
- Move slowly and calmly. Struggling to climb onto floating objects quickly wears you out.
- Don't take off your clothes or shoes. They protect you from sun, salt water and oil.
10. Boarding the rescue ship
When the rescue ship approaches, head for the net or line lowered for you and board in turn, the injured first. Don't swim toward the stern (screws) of a moving ship.
Treat people as people
Enemy personnel who are in the water or wounded are also protected as people in distress (1929 Geneva Convention, 1907 Hague Convention). On June 19, 1942, after the Battle of Midway, the US Navy pulled 35 engine-room crewmen of the Japanese carrier Hiryu out of the sea, where they had been adrift.
This is also the basis for the correct answers in the game "Battle of Midway: Survive the Carrier." Even when you board a passenger ferry or cruise ship today, check where the life jackets are and where to muster first.
FAQ
What matters most when jumping from a ship?
Look for a line, net or ladder before jumping. If you must jump, look down and go feet first, legs together, holding the life jacket down (FM 21-22).
Should I stay near the ship once I'm in the water?
No. You can be run over by a ship drifting with the wind, or hurt beside a sinking one, so get away at once. FM 21-22 recommends at least 50 yards.
What if burning oil comes toward me?
Swim into the wind and splash water ahead and to the sides to push the flames away. If you turn your back to the wind, the fire travels in your direction.
Won't I float better if I take my clothes off in the water?
FM 21-22 says not to take off your clothes or shoes. They protect you from sun, salt water and oil.
Isn't it better to swim to the rescue ship alone?
Pushing yourself to swim to a distant ship wears you out quickly. Stay together, save your strength and wait for the rescue ship to come to you.
Where does this information come from?
The US War Department manual FM 21-22 (1944), US Navy survival training materials and records of the US Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC). In a real situation, follow the crew and rescue authorities.