How to Survive a Shipwreck

Shipwreck Survival Guide

Cruise ships are so big that they can give you a false sense of security. The reality is that they can still sink to the bottom of the ocean. However, this doesn’t mean you must go down with the ship.

The immense size and larger accommodations of present-day cruise ships increase the potential loss of life and cargo in each shipwreck.

One of the most famous modern sea disasters was the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 by hitting an iceberg. Almost exactly 100 years later, the cruise ship Costa Concordia hit underwater rocks and left 32 people dead in 2012.

Shipwrecks are harrowing experiences that can test one’s physical and mental resilience.

However, with the proper knowledge and preparation, surviving a shipwreck is possible and achievable.

This guide explores actionable strategies and survival techniques to help you navigate the stormy seas of adversity and emerge victorious.

Understanding the Risks

Shipwrecks are not merely the stuff of maritime legends; they are authentic, tangible threats seafarers face regularly. Understanding the risks associated with shipwrecks is the first step toward ensuring your safety and survival at sea.

Common Causes of Shipwrecks

• Inclement Weather: Mother Nature can be unforgiving, and nowhere is this more evident than at sea. Storms, hurricanes, and rogue waves can wreak havoc on even the sturdiest vessels, causing them to capsize or run aground.
• Navigational Errors: Navigating the vast expanse of the ocean requires precision and accuracy. Unfortunately, navigational errors, whether due to human error or faulty equipment, can lead ships off course and into dangerous waters.
• Mechanical Failures: Despite technological advances, mechanical failures are still a common cause of shipwrecks. Engine malfunctions, equipment breakdowns, and structural weaknesses can leave ships vulnerable to disaster.
• Collisions: The risk of collisions is ever-present in crowded shipping lanes and congested harbors. With other vessels, underwater obstacles, or coastal terrain, collisions can result in severe damage and potential sinking.
• Human Factors: From fatigue and inexperience to negligence and recklessness, human factors play a significant role in many shipwrecks. Poor decision-making, miscommunication, and lapses in judgment can all contribute to maritime disasters.

Shipwreck Survival Tips and Strategies

Learn vital techniques such as shelter building, water sourcing, fire starting, and signaling for rescue to enhance your chances of survival in remote and challenging environments.

Think Before You Leap

Once you ensure the ship is sinking, assess the situation and be careful with passengers acting in panic situations. Your priority is to find and don a life jacket or personal floatation device (PFD). Swimming in the ocean is not like swimming in a pool. Waves and currents will wear you down, and you cannot tread water very long.

Don’t immediately leap overboard or jump into a lifeboat once you have your life vest or other floatation device. Stay on the ship as long as possible; the Coast Guard or rescuers may arrive long before the boat goes down.

Abandon Ship

When it’s imminent that you will need to abandon the ship, make your way to the high side of the vessel. This will keep you from being crushed if the ship or boat decides to

After arriving on the high side of the ship, you’ll want to jump from as low as possible and no higher than about 15 feet.

You will hit the water somewhat hard, and your floatation device keeps you from being underwater for a long time.

Jump Right

This is not the time to dive head-first into the water; you will want to go feet-first.

Ensure the area is clear of other survivors and lifeboats already in the water. Keep your shoes on (if applicable), cross your legs, have one hand across your abdomen, and hold your nose with the other.

Once you hit the water, be aware of what’s around you and start swimming.

Evacuation Procedures: Techniques for Safely Exiting a Sinking Ship

Surviving a shipwreck requires quick thinking and decisive action, especially when evacuating a sinking vessel.

Here are some expert survival tips and strategies to help you safely exit a sinking ship:

• Stay Calm and Assess the Situation: Keep a level head and assess the severity of the situation. Look for nearby lifeboats or flotation devices.
• Follow Crew Instructions: If available, follow the instructions of the ship’s crew or designated safety personnel. They are trained to handle emergencies.
• Locate Nearest Exit Points: Familiarize yourself with the location of emergency exits and evacuation routes before departure.
• Don life jackets immediately upon hearing the alarm or receiving evacuation instructions. Ensure they are properly fastened and adjusted.
• Stay Low if Smoke is Present: In the event of smoke or fire, stay low to the ground, where the air will likely be more transparent and relaxed.
• Use Handrails and Grab Handles: As you move towards the exit points, use handrails and grab handles to maintain stability, especially if the ship is listing.
• Stay Together if Possible: Stay with your group or family to provide mutual support and assistance.
• Stay Informed: Listen for announcements or updates from the ship’s crew regarding the evacuation process and any changes in the situation.
• Assist Others if Able: If you are physically able, assist children, elderly passengers, or individuals with disabilities in reaching safety.
• Stay Clear of Propellers: If you abandon a ship in the water, avoid the ship’s propellers and any other hazards to avoid injury.

Swim Like a Fish

When a ship begins to sink, there is a suction effect that sucks everything down around it.

If you find yourself in the water, you’ll want to swim away from the ship as quickly as possible. This will keep you from being pulled down and avoid falling debris from above.

A ship’s fuel and oil tanks can also rupture, and the fluid inside will float on the water. Keep swimming until you’ve cleared the area in case these flammable liquids ignite and burst into flames.

Don’t Drink the Water

Seawater is saturated with salt, and salt will cause dehydration. You can live a lot longer without food than water.

Avoid eating anything for as long as possible; it only makes you crave more water.

When it rains, try to capture water with tarps, plastic bottles, or anything else you can scavenge from the shipwreck.

Once in the Water

Surviving in open water after a shipwreck requires specific skills and strategies to stay afloat and conserve energy.

Here are some expert tips to help you navigate the challenges of water survival:

• Remain Calm and Conserve Energy: Panicking can lead to exhaustion and decrease your chances of survival. To stay calm and conserve your energy, float on your back and regulate your breathing.
• Use Floatation Devices: Use any floatation devices or debris to support your body weight and stay afloat. Life jackets, seat cushions, or even pieces of wreckage can provide buoyancy.
• Tread water Efficiently: Use slow and controlled movements to tread water, alternating between gentle kicks and arm movements. Avoid splashing excessively, as this can waste energy.
• Maintain Body Heat: In cold water, focus on retaining body heat by keeping your body as still as possible. Tuck your arms and legs close to your body to minimize heat loss.
• Scan the Horizon for Rescue: Look for passing ships, aircraft, or other potential rescuers. Signal for help using reflective materials, waving arms, or shouting.
• Stay Hydrated: Resist the urge to drink seawater, which can accelerate dehydration. Instead, conserve body fluids by limiting movement and exposure to the sun.
• Float with the Current: If caught in a strong current, conserve energy by floating with the flow rather than fighting against it. Use the current to carry you toward potential rescue points.
• Stay Visible: Increase your visibility to rescuers by wearing bright-colored clothing or signaling with reflective objects. Consider creating improvised signals using clothing or debris.
• Stay Together: Stay close to other survivors whenever possible to provide mutual support and assistance. Use teamwork to conserve energy and maintain morale.
• Remain Hopeful: Keep a positive mindset and focus on the goal of survival. Remember that rescue is possible, and every action you take increases your chances of being found.

Hypothermia Kills

Next to drowning, hypothermia is your biggest threat after surviving a sinking ship.

Due to its high density, water will cool your body temperature about 20 times faster than the air around you.

If you’re stuck in the water for an extended period awaiting rescue, wrap your arms around other people and get close to conserve body heat.

If you’re alone in the water, pull your knees up to your chest and turn yourself into a ball with your arms wrapped around your legs.

Dealing with Sharks When Abandoning a Ship

Abandoning a sinking ship can be a terrifying ordeal, especially when sharks may be encountered in the water.

While shark attacks are rare, knowing how to deal with these apex predators can be crucial for surviving a shipwreck.

Here are some essential survival tips for dealing with sharks in such a situation:

Stay Calm and Avoid Panic

Maintaining a calm demeanor is essential when dealing with sharks. While encountering these powerful predators can be intimidating, panicking will only escalate the situation. Remember that sharks are more likely to be curious than aggressive towards humans.

Assess the Situation

Before entering the water, assess the presence and behavior of sharks in your vicinity. Look for signs of aggression, such as dorsal fins cutting through the water or erratic swimming patterns. If possible, wait for any sharks to move away before abandoning the ship.

Avoid Making Sudden Movements

Sudden movements can startle sharks and trigger defensive or predatory behavior. Move slowly and deliberately, avoiding rapid splashing or thrashing that may attract unwanted attention.

Maintain Eye Contact

If you encounter a shark face-to-face, maintain eye contact and appear as large and intimidating as possible. Sharks are likelier to back down if they perceive you as a threat rather than prey.

Do Not Play Dead

Contrary to popular belief, playing dead is not an effective strategy for deterring shark attacks. It may signal vulnerability to the shark, increasing the likelihood of an attack. Instead, maintain a defensive posture and be prepared to defend yourself if necessary.

Use Protective Gear if Available

If you can access protective gear such as a dive knife or spear gun, use it to create a barrier between yourself and any approaching sharks. However, avoid using these weapons aggressively unless necessary, as this may further provoke the shark.

Signal for Help

If you spot sharks in the water while awaiting rescue, use signaling devices to attract the attention of passing vessels or aircraft. Flares, mirrors, and brightly colored clothing can help rescuers locate your position without attracting unwanted attention from sharks.

Stay Together

If you’re part of a group of survivors, stick together and maintain a close formation while in the water. Sharks are less likely to attack a large group of individuals and prefer solitary or isolated targets.

Get Out of the Water as Soon as Possible

The best way to avoid shark encounters is immediately getting out of the water. Once rescued, stay aboard any floating debris or life rafts until help arrives, minimizing the time spent in shark-infested waters.

Related Article: How to Survive a Shark Attack

Signaling for Rescue: Techniques to Gain Attention and Call for Aid While Adrift

When you find yourself adrift at sea, your primary goal is to attract the attention of potential rescuers and signal for help.

Here are some expert tips to attract attention and increase your chances of being rescued:

Use Visual Signals:

• Wave brightly colored clothing, flags, or pieces of fabric to attract attention from passing vessels or aircraft.
• Use a signal mirror to reflect sunlight towards potential rescuers. Aim the mirror’s reflection directly at the target to increase visibility.

Employ Auditory Signals:

• Blow a whistle or shout regularly to alert nearby vessels or aircraft of your presence.
• Bang on metal objects or use a signaling horn to create loud noises that can be heard over long distances.

Light Signals:

• Use a flashlight or strobe light during nighttime or low visibility conditions to signal your location.
• Flash the light in a distinct pattern, such as three short bursts followed by a pause, to indicate that you require assistance.

Smoke Signals:

• If you can access flares or smoke canisters, ignite them to create a visible smoke signal. Ensure that the wind is blowing toward potential rescuers to maximize visibility.

Floatation Devices:

• Inflate and deploy any available floatation devices, such as life rafts or life jackets, to increase your visibility from a distance.
• Attach a small flag or fabric to the floatation device to enhance its visibility in the water.

Related Article: How to Survive on a Deserted Island

Navigation Without Instruments

Navigating at sea without instruments may seem daunting, but with some basic knowledge and guidance, you can learn to navigate effectively.

Here are beginner-friendly tips and strategies to help you get started:

Celestial Navigation Basics:

• Learn about using the sun, moon, and stars to find direction.
• Understand simple techniques for determining your position based on celestial bodies.

Understanding Ocean Currents:

• Get familiar with how ocean currents work and how they can affect your direction.
• Learn to recognize signs of currents, such as floating debris or seaweed.

Observing Wildlife:

• Pay attention to the behavior of birds, fish, and other marine animals.
• Notice how they move and where they gather, as this can give clues about nearby land or currents.

Identifying Landmarks:

• Look for natural features like islands, coastlines, or distinctive cloud formations.
• Learn to recognize these landmarks and use them to orient yourself.

Watching the Weather:

• Start paying attention to weather forecasts and how weather patterns affect the sea.
• Notice changes in wind direction, cloud formations, and other signs of weather changes.