Safety on board

Before departure

Due to safety reasons we perform random checks of passengers, vehicles and baggage prior to departure. All guest (except children accompanied by adults) must bring proof of identity (i.e. passports etc). Refusing to comply with these guidelines, can result in denial of boarding, without any refund.

Gas containers
The main inlet for gas on caravans, motorhomes, etc. must be closed before driving on board and remain closed throughout the voyage. Access to the gas container must be kept unlocked so that it can easily be removed in case of fire. Please mark the door or valve where the container is located to confirm that it is closed.

Medical equipment
Oxygen for private medical use is permitted. Guests requiring oxygen must provide their own equipment and supply, as only a limited supply is available on board. Contact our customer service centre for further information.

Guests using syringes for medical purposes (e.g. insulin) can obtain secure disposal containers from the reception on board.

Other safety requirements
Guests travelling with firearms must contact Color Line’s customer service centre before departure.

The use of electrical appliances other than standard cabin fittings is not permitted on board.

Open flames, including candles, are not permitted.

Strollers and wheelchairs may not be placed in corridors, as escape routes must be kept clear.
 

On board

Please read the following:

1. Study carefully the alarm instruction/escape plan posted in your cabin
2. Study the escape route signs in corridors and stairways showing the escape routes to the assembly stations
3. Note the main escape routes and the alternative escape routes and try them out
4. Make a point of observing all safety signs wherever you are on board
    

Procedures

Alarm signal
If an emergency situation arises, alarm signals will be sounded throughout the ship.

The alarm signal consists of seven short tones followed by one long tone. When you hear this signal, proceed immediately to the nearest assembly station.

Listen carefully to any information given over the public address system and follow all instructions provided by the crew.

Alarm instruction/escape route plan
An alarm instruction and escape route plan is posted in all cabins. We recommend that you read it carefully, as it explains what to do in an emergency and shows the escape routes from your cabin to the assembly and rescue stations.

Car deck
It is forbidden to stay on the car deck during the crossing. All doors will be locked. The car deck is under continuous camera surveillance from the bridge and the control room.

Fire zones
The ship is divided into fire zones so that any outbreak of fire can be easily contained. Openings in the bulkheads between fire zones are fitted with fire doors. Under normal conditions, the doors will generally remain open. The doors can be shut by remote control from the bridge, or each door may be shut by means of a switch or push button adjacent to the door, marked «Fire door release». The crew will shut the doors. Some doors are hinged; others are sliding doors. All fire doors can be opened manually to allow passage. The doors will close again automatically. A sign on or next to the door will show you how to open it. The car deck is isolated from the rest of the ship as a separate fire zone.

Watertight bulkheads
To prevent the ship from listing heavily or from sinking if badly damaged in a collision or grounding, the ship is divided into a number of watertight compartments below the main car deck. These compartments also serve as fire zones. Watertight doors are fitted in the bulkheads between the compartments. Most of these doors are in restricted areas where only the ship’s crew has access. The doors can be opened and shut locally or from a number of locations on board. When closing or opening the doors, a loud bell will sound to warn everybody to mind the doors when they are in motion.

Stability
To prevent the ship from capsizing or listing heavily if the car deck becomes flooded due to damage to the hull, the car deck has also been divided into watertight compartments. The ship has either sliding partition walls dividing the car deck (closed when at sea) or watertight compartments on both sides of the car deck. Some ships have a combination of both.

Fire-retardant materials
All interior fittings (panelling, ceilings, doors, staircases, etc.) are non-flammable. Soft furnishings (carpets, curtains, upholstery, mattresses, etc.) are made of fire-retardant materials.

Fire alarm call points/warning
Manual call points are installed at strategic points all over the ship. Should you see smoke from what you think could be a fire, press the nearest call-point button or warn the crew. The call point consists of a button inside a small red box marked BRANN/FIRE.

Fire detection
The ship is equipped with an advanced automatic fire detection system. Automatic smoke detection devices are installed in all rooms on the ship, including cabins, corridors, public rooms, storerooms, linen rooms, the car deck, and the engine room. These are monitored from the bridge and the engine control room. The detectors will be activated by just a small amount of smoke, and the exact location of the smoke will be indicated on the fire alarm central panel.

Fire fighting team
Members of the crew are organised into fire fighting teams with specific tasks and duties when a fire alarm is sounded. Each member of a fire fighting team is specially trained in using a self-contained breathing apparatus (smoke diver), enabling them to operate in dense smoke.

Fire fighting equipment
There are several fully equipped fire stations on board. In an emergency, these will be manned by specially trained fire fighting crew. Fire posts and hoses are located at frequent intervals on all decks throughout the ship and connected to the fire main and pump system. A large number of portable extinguishers are located in all corridors and public rooms, as well as on the car deck and in the engine room.

Fire fighting systems
A sprinkler system is installed on all car decks and connected to a separate fire pump. The engine rooms and the galley area are protected by either Halon or CO2 extinguishing systems.

Fire/security watch
A fire/security patrol in radio contact with the bridge is on duty at all times. This patrol covers the entire ship, and its position is registered and monitored by computer.

Camera surveillance
The car deck, engine room, other technical rooms, and watertight doors (in the bow) are under camera surveillance.

Emergency drills
The officers and crew are trained to extinguish all types of fire on board. Emergency drills, including training in evacuating/guiding passengers out of the danger area to assembly stations, are held regularly.

Fire stations
There are at least five fully equipped fire stations on board containing fire fighting equipment, tools, breathing apparatus, and communication equipment.

Emergency search procedures
In an emergency situation, appointed members of the crew will search through the entire ship to ensure that everybody has been evacuated from cabins, shops, public rooms, etc. in the danger area.

Smoke
If you encounter dense smoke from a fire, hold a wet cloth or towel over your mouth and nose. Crawl along the floor. Smoke rises, so there will be less smoke near the floor.

Assembly stations
Assembly stations are the locations where passengers must gather in an emergency or when the order has been given to go to the assembly stations. These are situated on the upper deck close to the rescue stations. When the alarm signal sounds (7 short and 1 long tone), or the crew gives the order, you must immediately go to the nearest assembly station. The ship’s crew will inform you of the situation and how to proceed.

Emergency exits
The emergency exits are marked with «Emergency Exit» signs and lead to the rescue stations. Note the location of the emergency signs wherever you are on board.

Lifejackets
Lifejackets are placed in boxes or lockers marked «Lifejackets» at or near the rescue stations. The lifejackets are to be put on when you are ordered to do so. The ship’s crew will assist you. Lifejackets for children are also available at the rescue stations and will be handed out by the crew.

Rescue stations
In an emergency situation, the ship’s crew will lead the passengers to the rescue stations where lifeboats, life rafts, etc. are situated. The officer in charge will lead the operation at the rescue stations. Nobody is allowed to enter the lifeboats, life rafts, etc. until the order to board the rescue craft/abandon ship has been given.

Lifeboats/liferafts
Lifeboats and liferafts are located on the «Boat deck» (evacuation deck). The capacity of the lifeboats and liferafts on board is 25 % greater than the total number of persons allowed on board.

Inspection and maintenance
All fire-fighting, safety, and lifesaving equipment is regularly inspected and maintained in accordance with a computer maintenance program.

The Norwegian Ship Control Authority also tests and inspects this equipment once a year, and every three months the officers’ and crew’s ability to carry out fire-fighting and evacuation procedures is tested through comprehensive drills.

Emergency exercises
All officers and crew are required to participate in weekly emergency drills. They are instructed and trained in all aspects of fire fighting, damage control, crowd management, passenger evacuation, communications, lifesaving, and the use of all safety equipment. Once a month, a major rescue drill is held, where all safety equipment is tested and lifeboats and liferafts are manned and launched. The fire-fighting crew and smoke divers are trained under realistic conditions at the Fire Brigade training facility on shore. The officers and most of the crew are also thoroughly trained in first-aid treatment.

Environment
Color Line's special environmental policy commits the company to finding ways to reduce pollution of the environment. We use fuel oil with low sulphur content. We sort all waste for delivery ashore for recycling. We ask our passengers to refrain from throwing any waste overboard and to put it in a waste container so we can deliver it ashore.

Smoking
Smoking in bed is strictly forbidden. Exercise great care when smoking and only extinguish cigarettes in ashtrays. This applies to electronic cigarettes as well.

No-smoking areas
The ship has no-smoking zones. Please show consideration to non-smokers and refrain from smoking in the no-smoking zones. This applies to electronic cigarettes as well.

Lifts
In an alarm situation, all lifts will normally be shut down. Stairways must be used. Passengers with reduced mobility will receive special assistance from the crew.

Vandalism
Causing malicious damage to any safety equipment is prohibited by law. Compensation will be demanded for any damaged equipment, and the offence will be reported to the police.

Starting fluid/jumper spray
Any use of starting fluid or jumper spray is prohibited on board.