General Emergency Signal

The General Emergency Signal is a signal used on board cruise ships in times of emergency. The signal is composed of seven short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship's whistle and internal alarm system. On the first day of a cruise shortly after passengers have embarked and before the ship has left the port of departure, the crew will conduct a mandatory muster drill 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 jackets 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 activated by safety personnel if an emergency is detected. It is usually activated from the bridge by a button on an alarm control panel.