Back online

Sorry for the late update, I have received countless reminders from all different sources. I left college on Friday evening and have spent since Saturday in London without internet access. I’ll Start where I left off. After being burnt on Wednesday, we were cooled down on Thursday with the sea survival course. The morning was conducted in a classroom by an ex- RN instructor who explained to us that all we were going to learn today is a last resort and if we are lucky we will never do any of it again. Which is a shame as it was much more fun than the fire fighting. We were introduced to a life raft which was inflated in the classroom. They are large hexagonal floating tents really, with various useful gadgets and necessities stowed within. Procedures for launching a life raft depend largely on the type, but most involve cutting some straps then throwing the thing into the sea and pulling on a bit of rope (the other end of which you hope you remembered to keep hold of). The life raft then inflates from a Co2 canister and hopefully lands the correct way up in the water. Now so far the life raft has not proved to be of any use as you are still on the sinking/burning ship. Now comes the bit where you must explain to your passengers (if you have any) that what they really want to do is step off the side of the ship and fall into the water. Once this had been achieved all floating (and probably very cold) parties must get themselves into the raft. A life raft with a capacity of twelve we were told can hold 24 people if fully inflated. In the afternoon we went by mini bus to a swimming/diving pool. Here we all donned lifejackets and mustered by the pool for the practical aspect of the course. Firstly we did a dry (yer right!) launch and embarkation of the life rafts. We threw them into the water, inflated them, pulled them to the side and all jumped in. We all jumped in to about 5 inches of water. So much for a dry run! After twelve of us were in the life raft it was very full, I certainly wouldn’t want to be in there with 24. We then ran through the procedures for survival. Firstly a leader needs to be selected, then everyone (without exception) must take anti-seasickness medication. In the first 24 hours knowone should eat of drink (unless injured) but everyone should go to the toilet. Urine retention can become a big problem so start as you mean to go on etc. There are three days of rations in the life raft so you should be able to survive 4 days plus how ever long you can go without food and water. A sea anchor is deployed to stop the life raft drifting away from the last position of the ship (to help search and rescue), finally lookouts are posted and the life raft is closed rather like a tent.
Next we were all to jump off a high platform. We were instructed how to hold our nose (there is a special way!) The platform was only about 4 meters high but it gave me that “stomach in mouth” feeling as I hurtled towards the water, great fun! We then practiced swimming in groups and helping each other into the life rafts.
Finally to finish the day we were all ushered into the lobby where we were told we would run around the car park until we experienced the onset of hypothermia. Thankfully this was a ploy to distract us as the pool was set up for the last exercise. We entered the room which was now pitch dark, cold, and noisy with sirens and bells going off. Lights flashing and freezing cold water being sprayed down on us from above. We had to all climb the platform, jump into the pool, swim to a life raft in a group and go through the procedures. It was great fun!

I have exchanged Emails with my company today. Looks like I will be joining my ship in Hawaii some time next week.