Kudos NCL lifeboat drill- just back from Gem

[jentroubles]

Just back from the Gem. Had a great cruise but rough seas hit a few of us the first day or two onboard. If anyone has questions-- fire away. (And yes, Moderno is open-- had a great meal!)

 

Saw a great sight in port-- a lifeboat drill. Maybe it is because we are usually off the boat at this time, but for the first time we saw them drop the lifeboats and cruise around the harbor. It was incredibly impressive to watch. I know that in the wake of recent events some people are wary of cruising. I had great confidence in NCL before, and even more now. Way to go crew!

 

I took two pictures, and we heard some interesting details from the staff about the boats.

 

http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t377/jentroubles/drill2.jpg

 

http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t377/jentroubles/drill1-1.jpg

[Sauer-kraut]

 

 

Thought I'd get them embedded for you.

[Turtles06]

Just back from the Gem. Had a great cruise but rough seas hit a few of us the first day or two onboard. If anyone has questions-- fire away. (And yes, Moderno is open-- had a great meal!)

 

Saw a great sight in port-- a lifeboat drill. Maybe it is because we are usually off the boat at this time, but for the first time we saw them drop the lifeboats and cruise around the harbor. It was incredibly impressive to watch. I know that in the wake of recent events some people are wary of cruising. I had great confidence in NCL before, and even more now. Way to go crew!

 

I took two pictures, and we heard some interesting details from the staff about the boats.

 

http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t377/jentroubles/drill2.jpg

 

http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t377/jentroubles/drill1-1.jpg

 

Glad you had a great time.

 

The drills done in port are nothing new (thankfully) -- you just didn't notice them before. Ironically, we saw just such a drill going on last October when we were on the Gem docked in Berrmuda, and then two days later, on the way back to NY, this training was all put to very good use when the Gem was called on to change course and head off to rescue five people from a sinking sailboat in rough seas in the Atlantic. The courageous crew who headed off in the lifeboat to rescue those folks in those conditions were themselves at risk.

 

The rescue was much discussed on here at the time; here are the photos I posted:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=31164882&postcount=36

 

Yes, the Gem has a great crew.

[shof515]

there is some kind of law i think that requires the lifeboats to be tested every couple of months

[jentroubles]

Thanks for embedding the pics for me!