“I feel like every project I work on is a dream project, so long as I am learning.” ― Simeon Kondev
Today's Sew-In wound up being a preparation day. I sketched out measurements and directions for eight different projects. Even got the fabrics cut for them! Guess Tutorial Tuesday is going to be a busy one.
Why so many different projects each week? Because I have some new books in the works and I need some step-by-step photos and videos to accompany them. A fun time!
t's Cruise Ship Saturday! Today we're talking about Muster Drill. “I am repeating... It's not a drill,... It's real....” ― Deyth Banger
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires all passengers attend a muster drill within 24 hours of sailing. Like practicing a fire drill in school, a muster drill is a practice for an emergency. All passengers are required to attend. No matter how busy you think you are or how young your children are. No matter whether you are in a wheelchair or walk with a cane or dislike crowds. No matter how many times you’ve worn a life jacket in your life. No matter how many cruises you’ve been on before you must attend the muster drill.
Muster drills are held in the muster station, an area on the ship where passengers gather in case of emergency. Muster station information is located on the back of stateroom cabin doors and is printed on cruise cards.
Green signs around the ship indicate the way to muster stations.
An emergency broadcast alarm is sounded to call passengers to the muster stations for the drill and for a real emergency. This piercing alarm consists of seven short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship’s whistle. Upon hearing this alarm go to your designated muster station. Some cruise lines have life vests in cabins and require you to bring them to muster and some do not. Be familiar with the muster drill procedure on your specific ship by reading details in the first day's paper and listening to the directions of ship personnel.
When entering the muster station cruise cards are scanned by muster personnel. Scanning of cards by the electronic system assists crew in determining the attendance of passengers. At muster a presentation is made on what to do in case of an emergency. Do not even attempt to get out of the muster drill. We have had real-life emergency situations happen on cruise ships. In case of evacuation it is crucial for you to know where to go and what to do. It is in your best interest to take the muster drill seriously!
Other things to know:
Elevators cannot be used during the muster drill or during a real emergency.
If assistance will be needed in a real emergency let your cabin steward or the passenger services desk know so arrangements can be made. Special personnel are designated to assist passengers needing additional help.
Depending on the ship your muster station may be located outside by the lifeboats or somewhere inside the ship. Some muster stations have no seating and others have limited seating. If you are unable to stand for a long period of time let personnel know. If yours is being held indoors consider going to the muster station a few minutes before the scheduled time so you can secure a seat. The elevators will also be working beforehand.
Ships have enough lifeboats (and then some) to accommodate all passengers and crew.
Cabin stewards are responsible for checking each cabin. Don’t dawdle in your cabin during the drill.
Muster drills are something to be taken seriously. What would you do if the captain came on the loudspeaker and told passengers there was a fire in the galley and ordered all muster crew personnel to the muster stations? Would you know to get back to your cabin and dress warmly and pack a small bag with your medications like we did? Would you then know where to go to evacuate the ship? Would you know how to put on your life vest? Every cruise we see people talking to others, texting, taking pictures, and even sleeping during muster. Don’t be one of them. We’ve sailed enough and had enough emergency situations happen on the ship to know how important the drills are.
“That’s the only thing you can do with a mess. Start cleaning it up, a little at a time.” ― Lisa Wingate, The Sea Glass Sisters
I certainly don't have a mess. But the fact that I still can find things to get rid of on Fridays tells me I still have too much stuff.
Today's 15:
Three eBay items.
Four stuffed fabric carrots.
One clipboard.
One bag of embroidery floss.
Five packs of candlewicking thread.
One box leftover from slides.
Why come all the way to Alaska to just go into Canada? To conquer a fear of heights.
The population of Skagway runs around 1,000. During the summer season it doubles, but back during the height of the gold rush the population of Skagway was as high as 30,000. (I love the days when there is only one ship in town.)
A lot of passengers take the train trip when in port. The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad – built during the Klondike Gold Rush – is an “International Civil Engineering Landmark” and shares honors with the Eiffel Tower, the Panama Canal, and the Statue of Liberty.
Since we’ve ridden the railroad more than once we now skip it and do other things.
On this particular day the other thing involved a passport to get into Canada. A Klondike, suspension bridge, and salmon bake tour. As our bus headed into the Yukon Territory we had beautiful views.
Our close up glimpse of a bear was so close I couldn't even get the whole thing in the picture!
While I did enjoy the scenery and wildlife, I really was taking this excursion to the Yukon Suspension Bridge to conquer my fear of heights. It certainly was the best place to do it.
See that bridge over the canyon? That's where I'm headed.
As I got closer, my heart started beating harder. I was scared.
Once on the bridge you can look down and see the water through the bridge. Even scarier.
After making it across the bridge you'd think my fear would have abated. But I have to walk back across it.
I talked to myself all the way. What did I say? Oh God. Take a step. Oh God. Take a step. Oh God. Take a step.
This afternoon was the time to overcome my fear of heights. I walked all the way to one side of the suspension bridge and all the way back across the same bridge. No one to hold my hand, no one to cheer me on. Just me and my fears. (Did you know suspension bridges move when people walk on them? Yikes.)
The trip was worth it. Fear conquered and just look the view from the middle of the bridge. Spectacular! Would I do it again? Absolutely!
