Laying the smack down for muster drill non-compliance

[Host Mike]

"Seattle-based cruise line Holland America kicked a passenger off a ship this week for "non-compliance" during a mandatory muster drill -- an unusual incident that suggests a renewed focus on safety in the wake of the Costa Concordia disaster.

In the weeks since the accident, Holland America has begun taking roll call at safety drills, a policy it had discontinued, and has added the announcements that passengers who don't take part could be put off the ship."

http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2012/02/cruise-ship-muster-drill-holland-america/618481/1

[NSWP]

Totally agree with HAL's policy.  Should be across all Lines.

[Two Tumbleweeds]

Totally agree with HAL's policy.  Should be across all Lines.

Princess has a muster dril PRIOR to leaving port, which should be mandatory on all cruise lines, unlike what happened with Costa.
Whether you're an old hand or not you have to know exactly what the procedures are for your particular group. As a retired Coast Guard officer I would also insist on full compliance.

[RichC]

They make it sound as though it was uninformed passengers who didn't know what to do & if they had, many of the problems would have been solved. 
From a lot of reading it sounded as though there was bad communication among the crew which caused a lot of problems that shouldn't have occurred as well as no cross training to operate some of the tenders. I wouldn't expect a stairway guide to be fully knowledgeable in all aspects but at least they should have a "basic" knowledge of everything.....operation of the davits, how to start & pilot a tender, where to send people when communication breaks down, etc.. I'd almost bet there were some experiences passengers on board the tenders who knew more than some of the crew.
The passengers only have the responsibility of knowing when & where to go to their stations, how to put on a life jacket & what to bring with them.