The general emergency signal is a

signal In signal processing, a signal is a function that conveys information about a phenomenon. Any quantity that can vary over space or time can be used as a signal to share messages between observers. The '' IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing' ...

used on board ships in times of emergency.

Signal

The signal is composed of seven or more short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle and internal alarm system. Within 24 hours of embarkation of all passengers, the crew will conduct a mandatory

muster drill A muster drill, sometimes referred to as a lifeboat drill or a boat drill, is an exercise that is conducted by the crew of a ship prior to embarking on a voyage. A muster drill prepares passengers for safe evacuation, in the event of an emergen ...

in which the General Emergency Signal is sounded. The purpose of the drill is to educate passengers of emergency procedures should an actual emergency occur. The signal alerts passengers of an emergency so that they will begin proper procedures in which all persons collect their

life jacket A personal flotation device (PFD; also referred to as a life jacket, life preserver, life belt, Mae West, life vest, life saver, cork jacket, buoyancy aid or flotation suit) is a flotation device in the form of a vest or suite that is worn by a ...

s and proceed to their assigned muster stations. There is also an abandon ship alarm which is used should it become necessary to abandon ship, after all other efforts have been exhausted. This signal is given audibly by the ship's Master over the PA system. It is never given by automatic means or with recorded media.

Requirements

The Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) Convention mandates the Life Saving Appliances (LSA) Code which includes the general alarm signal. The LSA defines the characteristics of the general alarm signal. The alarm signal itself is seven or more short blasts followed by one prolonged blast on the ship's whistle. Requirements on General Alarm Systems according to the Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) Convention: The alarm must be powered by the ship's main electrical supply and also by the emergency supply. It must continue to operate automatically unless turned off or over-ridden. The alarm signal is given both by the ship's whistle (or

siren Siren or sirens may refer to: Common meanings * Siren (alarm), a loud acoustic alarm used to alert people to emergencies * Siren (mythology), an enchanting but dangerous monster in Greek mythology Places * Siren (town), Wisconsin * Siren, Wisc ...

) and by onboard bells and

klaxon A horn is a sound-making device that can be equipped to motor vehicles, buses, bicycles, trains, trams (otherwise known as streetcars in North America), and other types of vehicles. The sound made usually resembles a "honk" (older vehicles) or ...

s. The alarm must be loud enough to be heard in both interior and exterior spaces. The minimum volume is defined both as an absolute value and also as a value louder than normal sounds in the area. It must be loud enough to wake sleepers in cabins. The general emergency signal has to be supplemented by a

public address system A public address system (or PA system) is an electronic system comprising microphones, amplifiers, loudspeakers, and related equipment. It increases the apparent volume (loudness) of a human voice, musical instrument, or other acoustic sound sou ...

. The PA system must cover all spaces where passengers or crew might be and be both loud absolutely and relatively.

References

Citations

* *{{Citation , author = International Maritime Organization , title = Life saving appliances (LSA) code , date = 1 July 1998 , url = https://ardda.gov.az/uploads/images/qanunvericilik/Eng/codes/LSA%20Code%20-%20International%20Life-Saving%20Appliance%20Code.pdf , access-date = 18 July 2020 Emergency communication