Oasis Lifeboats & Evacuation?

[RobKabob]

At risk of sounding like a Cassandra, one of the concerns I have with a ship this size is can the ship be effectively evacuated if there was a fire or if the ship were listing? I noticed there are 18 life boats on Oasis. I would imagine that they are larger lifeboats than those on smaller ships. Wouldn't that equate to more people at each muster station? (Like 300 or more people per lifeboat?) I also could not see much of a Promenade Deck where the lifeboats are. I would imagine the muster stations are on the interior of the ship? What are the evacuation plans if the ship is listing too much to one side?

I am sure the ship is up to code and perhaps I watched Titanic too many times but this does have me wondering. Thank you for listening.

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by RobKabob

At risk of sounding like a Cassandra, one of the concerns I have with a ship this size is can the ship be effectively evacuated if there was a fire or if the ship were listing? I noticed there are 18 life boats on Oasis. I would imagine that they are larger lifeboats than those on smaller ships. Wouldn't that equate to more people at each muster station? (Like 300 or more people per lifeboat?) I also could not see much of a Promenade Deck where the lifeboats are. I would imagine the muster stations are on the interior of the ship? What are the evacuation plans if the ship is listing too much to one side?

I am sure the ship is up to code and perhaps I watched Titanic too many times but this does have me wondering. Thank you for listening.

There is an outdoor Promendade/Jogging track on the deck with the lifeboats as confirmed by someone who worked on the ship. IIRC each lifeboat can fit roughly 360-375 people which is 6480 people at 360per. If you then look next to the life boats you will see pods for all the inflatable lifeboats which can hold another 2-3 thousand people.

There is a video about all of the Oasis's Rescue vessels available on www.OasisoftheSeas.com

[eroller]

The lifeboats on Oasis are of a new design, and yes they are larger. Unlike a typical lifeboat (150 pax max), the Oasis lifeboats can be loaded both fore and aft making for a more speedy embarkation. In addition the passengers board the boats from their fixed position. This is a huge advantage. On most ships the lifeboats have to be lowered to the promenade deck for loading, taking up valuable time and crew resources.

Oasis, like all new passenger ships, must meet strict guidelines for passenger safety and evacuations. All the cruise lines also work closely with the US Coast Guard when the ships are being designed and built (in addition to the insurance certification agencies) to ensure they meet US Coast Guard and International standards.

I don't know this for sure, but with all the advancements in technology, Oasis may actually be evacuated faster compared to ships half her size. Also remember that all lifejackets are stored by the lifeboats, so no having to run back to your cabin before mustering. Another big timesaver.

Ernie

[RobKabob]

Thanks for the information and video link. Yes, I can now see that the lifeboats do not have to be lowered.

I know RCI has an excellent safety record but the large scale can be bewildering.

I remember the muster drills on QM2 had us reporting to the Kings Court Buffet and one only had to carry their life jacket. So I guess in an emergency, we would get one last meal? It did not seem like much of a drill.

Up until recently, RCI required that you put your life jacket on during the muster drill. (My last cruise on Grandeur a couple of weeks ago, we did not have to put it on.)

Thanks again!

[Hobiecat01]

Originally Posted by Thameth

There is an outdoor Promendade/Jogging track on the deck with the lifeboats as confirmed by someone who worked on the ship. IIRC each lifeboat can fit roughly 360-375 people which is 6480 people at 360per. If you then look next to the life boats you will see pods for all the inflatable lifeboats which can hold another 2-3 thousand people.

There is a video about all of the Oasis's Rescue vessels available on www.OasisoftheSeas.com

Actually, many folks in the shipyard commonly called the Oasis' life boats "Life Ships" due to their size and abilities.
--------------------
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Ron and Lee
Canton, Ga
Proud RCCL Platinum Member
"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom,
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We are proud Oasis Camel Cruiser – April 17, 2010
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Previous Cruises – 59 Days at Sea!
Carnival Mardis Gras - 3 Day Bahamas - April 1982
Carnival Destiny - 7 Days Western Carib. - April 1998
Princess Grand Princess - 7 Days Eastern Carib. - April 1999
Princess Sea Princess - 7 Days Western Carib. - March 2000
Princess Grand Princess - 7 Days Western Carib. - March 2002
RCCL Navigator of the Seas - 7 Days Western Carib. - March 2003
RCCL Mariner of the Seas - 7 Days Western Carib. - April 2005
RCCL Freedom of the Seas - 7 Days Western Carib. - 6/18 - 6/25/2006
RCCL Liberty of the Seas - 7 Days Eastern Carib. - 7/19 - 7/26/08
Planned Cruises
RCCL Oasis of the Seas – Our Friends Cruise - April 17, 2010
RCCL Allure of the Seas – Our Neighborhood Cruise - 2011
The BIG One - Southeast Asia 14 day – 2012?
Princess Cruises - The Med – 14 day – 2013?

[DEIx15x8]

The official term for the life boats on the Oasis is Rescue Vessel due to their large size, increased capabilities, and exemption from many life boat rules.

[crusinpsychRN]

[quote=RobKabob;22031139]Thanks for the information and video link. Yes, I can now see that the lifeboats do not have to be lowered.

I can't get video link to work. What do you mean the lifeboats do not have to be lowered?

[Thameth]

[quote=crusinpsychRN;22045305]

Originally Posted by RobKabob

Thanks for the information and video link. Yes, I can now see that the lifeboats do not have to be lowered.

I can't get video link to work. What do you mean the lifeboats do not have to be lowered?

I think they were trying to say that the Rescue Vessels don't have to be lowered before loading. They can be loaded in place and then lowered into the water.

[jcl410]

Originally Posted by Thameth

There is an outdoor Promendade/Jogging track on the deck with the lifeboats as confirmed by someone who worked on the ship.

I've been looking at the pictures/video's of the Oasis; it looks to me that the promenade used for rescue vessel loading/ jogging is actualy inside the hull of the ship; out board of the stores/shops of the Royal Promeade, and the dining room.



(take a look at the midships area, where the life rafts are stored; there is no sign of a walkway on the exterior.)

Can any one shed light on this?

Aloha,

John

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by jcl410

I've been looking at the pictures/video's of the Oasis; it looks to me that the promenade used for rescue vessel loading/ jogging is actualy inside the hull of the ship; out board of the stores/shops of the Royal Promeade, and the dining room.



(take a look at the midships area, where the life rafts are stored; there is no sign of a walkway on the exterior.)

Can any one shed light on this?

Aloha,

John

According to an architect that was onboard the ship for long periods in Turku during its construction he said that its an outdoor deck except where you cross through the bow of the ship near the fitness center. Even that area may be open to the outdoors, i just couldn't get detail on it.

[Fridaychild]

Originally Posted by DEIx15x8

The official term for the life boats on the Oasis is Rescue Vessel due to their large size, increased capabilities, and exemption from many life boat rules.

No! It is not an official term, officially those still are lifeboats. CRV (catamaran rescue vessel) is just the term the maker wants to use. The type name of these boats is CRV55.

....and NO there in not excemptions from MANY life boat rules. There is only one exemption from the lifeboat rules and that is the capcity - 370 persons.

[jcl410]

Originally Posted by Fridaychild

The type name of these boats is CRV55.

Thanks for the name! I googled it, and found this drawing:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Merlin...60343366838130

The drawing implies that, at least where the life boats are, the promenade only has openings which line up with the openings on the boats; since the life boats will be secured to the hull, there won't be any way to see out. (Unless the lifeboats have been launched! )

But based on the observation deck/AO kids deck confusion, I will withhold judgement until there are photos!

Aloha,

John

[Fridaychild]

Originally Posted by jcl410

Thanks for the name! I googled it, and found this drawing:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Merlin...60343366838130

The drawing implies that, at least where the life boats are, the promenade only has openings which line up with the openings on the boats; since the life boats will be secured to the hull, there won't be any way to see out. (Unless the lifeboats have been launched! )

But based on the observation deck/AO kids deck confusion, I will withhold judgement until there are photos!

Aloha,

John

Yes you're right about the 'promenade'/jogging track. You can not see out behind the boats. In middle of the ship where the MES (marine evacuation system) are located there is locations where you can see out from the jogging track too.

Go to http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/image-gallery.php and select the gallery named 'Under construction' . Picture 196 on that gallery shows you the jogging track.

- Fridaychild -