Crowd Control

Crowd Control

Drills on a passenger ship are inherently more difficult than those on a cargo ship due to the vast nuber of people onboard. They are generally schedules when most passangers are ashore on order to minimize the disturbance from announcements and exercises. Usually, scenarios try to be schedule away from passenger space so that public rooms are not closed. Manufactured smoked is often used, and the smoke mus be contained to crew areas so that passengers are not unduly alarmed. (Despite broadcasts from the bridge saying that exercises will take place, it can still be disconcerting for passengers to return to their cabin and find a smoke-filled corridor and men in fire suits nearby.)

Equipment on modern passenger ships is usually far more complicated and sophisticated than what is found on other ships. With such vast interior rooms and numerous small comparment such as cabins, ventilation systems mus be incredibly complex to deal with both vast interior spaces and numerous small compartments such as cabins. Stairways can be over-pressurized to keep vital escape routes clear and full of fresh air, while other rooms have the visibility in firefighting. The use of fixed systems such as Hi-Fog and foam is also discussed and refreshed during drills.