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Sabe 1

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"If you're on the Titanic and have time to run up and down decks two or three times while the band plays on; yes, finish your beer, update your Facebook status to "Mayday", have a fag, put on a lifejacket."

Classic

2) LIFE JACKET

Every so often you will see life jackets that have fallen out from beneath the seats. Most of the time this is because the have been kicked out by passengers stretching their legs. Most on the time this would be simply getting comfortable after a hard days work. So here us the good news the marine department and Hkkf have assured me there are at least two visual checks of life jackets before and after each routine sailing. Not sure if this means every sailing or just at start and end of day. Nyerere is what the marine department have said....

"Spot check was carried out by MD officer in mid-April,2014 and find in order. The condition of life jackets is checked during annual survey and spot checks.
As replied by the company, there will be at least two on-board inspections before and after routine sailings. It is estimated that the life jackets might be taken out of seats or storage cabinet during scheduled sailings. Crew will store it to original position if it is placed improperly."

Even better on of the boats have kick boards to protect the life jackets from stretched out feet. Was wondering if we are going to see these kick boards on all vessels or do you think the make no difference and are a waste of time. Some of the life jackets look a bit old and moldy though. Was wondering does anyone know how often they are or should be replaced.

they only have to be replaced if torn or holes in them or if they have somehow become waterlogged. mold and dirt are cosmetic only.

We have adult and child life jackets on the boats and clear instructions on the pier and in the boat. Like many people the trilingual video drives me crazy at times. However i have my brother coming over at Christmas with a six month old baby was just wondering what happens with babies if we have to abandon boat. The Macau ferry has life rafts as does I have been told the star ferry. The macau ferry also has flotation cots for babies but there appears to be no cots or guidance regarding babies and infants. I do know that infant life jackets are a smaller version of child life jackets but there appears to be no infant life jackets either. Do you think the staff are trained on when to use each type of life jacket as there is no advice on the boat. I believe it is by height. Also what happens if there are more than 12 children on the boat which would not be uncommon for the school run? Having talked to some parents with babies a few do carry their own flotation cot since the sinking.

Of course there will be the same debate about how useful life jackets are and there will be scenarios where you cannot get them on fast enough. There will also be calls for us to learn how to swim which is a very sensible life skill, but anyone who has done life saving will know swimming with a full set of clothes on mid water at night is very different from a Sunday swim with the kids. Your thoughts and observations as always are appreciated.