51
JULY 2026
The regulations remind the owner, 
operator, or master of the vessel that 
an abandon ship drill must, as far as 
practicable, be conducted as if there 
were an actual emergency. 
Although not mentioned in Sub-
chapters K and T, but required in 
Subchapter W, vessels fitted with a 
marine evacuation system (slide or 
other device) will have the crew drill 
on the procedures for deployment 
right up until the actual deployment. 
Crewmembers responsible for deploy-
ing a marine evacuation system are 
required, as far as practicable, to par-
ticipate in a full deployment at least 
once every three years, with two years 
being preferred.
As with other drills and training, 
abandon ship drills and training shall 
be logged or otherwise documented 
for review by the U.S. Coast Guard 
upon request. The drill entry shall in-
clude the date of the drill and training 
and a general description of the drill 
scenario and training topics.
CONSIDERATIONS  
FOR IMPROVING DRILLS  
AND TRAINING
An effective abandon ship drill mini-
mizes panic and improves crew profi-
ciency and confidence. In order to know 
what should go into a drill beyond the 
regulatory minimum, the vessel owner/
operator and captain must identify the 
risks of the operation and capabilities of 
the vessel, crew, and equipment as they 
relate to abandoning the vessel.
Specific considerations include:
• Vessel construction – material, 
number of decks, designated muster 
areas and areas of refuge, egress 
from muster station to a dock, other 
vessels, or the water
• Number of crew assigned to 
abandon ship duties – if crew have 
other duties such as firefighting, 
at what point do they transition to 
abandon ship
• Installation of a fire suppression 
system and the impact on vessel 
propulsion and maneuverability
• Operating area of the vessel –  
river, bay, offshore
• Emergency mooring points  
identified along the vessel’s route – 
accessible by local first responders
• Availability of local emergency 
response units both on water  
and shoreside 
• Ability of other commercial  
vessels to render assistance and  
take passengers off the vessel
Other procedures not covered spe-
cifically in the regulations for an 
abandon ship drill but are important 
Vessel transfers are one option to safely abandon a ship in an emergency. 
PHOTO: CHICAGO HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE 

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