Over the years, cruise ships have become very complex systems.
Their size has increased exponentially, and at the same time, the number of passengers they can carry has multiplied.
To ensure efficiency and safety on board, you might hear some mysterious codes over the PA system.
They are used to communicate among crew members rapidly, but without letting passengers know what is actually being communicated.
During my last cruise, I heard some of them, and I was always curious to know their meaning and to understand what was really going on the ship.
Therefore, I did some digging and was able to find out the meaning of the codes you would never want to hear on a cruise ship.
Bravo, Bravo, Bravo
“Bravo, Bravo, Bravo” is a code for fire on the ship.
Fires are among the most dangerous things that can happen on a ship, and this code mobilizes the crew to take immediate action.
For instance, there was a case where passengers on a cruise woke up to this code being called at 2:45 am. The crew quickly controlled the situation, also thanks to the highly trained teams in fire management.
Echo, Echo, Echo
If you hear “Echo, Echo, Echo,” it means the ship is starting to drift. This could be due to high winds or strong currents, and it’s crucial for the crew to manage the ship’s position to avoid collisions.
In more serious cases, it can also mean that the ship is on a collision course with another ship or the coast.
Oscar, Oscar, Oscar
This one is alarming— “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar” signals that a person has gone overboard. Immediate action needs to be taken to locate and rescue the individual.
Usually, the ship is completely stopped, and the crew members begin a search and rescue operation.
In addition, the Coast Guard and other nearby ships are alerted.
Purell, Purell, Purell
Less serious but still important, “Purell, Purell, Purell” indicates the need to clean a public area, often due to sickness.
It’s important that the ship’s environment stays clean and safe for all. Typically, this announcement is not made throughout the ship, but only in the specific areas where there is a need for the intervention.
Kilo, Kilo, Kilo
“Kilo, Kilo, Kilo” is used to call all crew members to their emergency stations.
It’s a general alert that prepares the crew for various potential situations, ensuring everyone is ready to respond where needed.
Alpha
When you hear “Alpha,” it means there’s a medical emergency on board.
The crew, especially the medical staff, is alerted to respond quickly to provide necessary care.
An announcement of this kind is usually made when there is a serious or very urgent medical problem.
Delta, Delta, Delta
“Delta, Delta, Delta” can have two possible meanings.
The first one is a potential biohazard situation. This could include the presence of a dangerous virus or toxin that poses a threat to the health of crew and passengers.
The second meaning is related to structural damage to the ship’s hull, which is critical as it affects the vessel’s seaworthiness.
This type of damage needs urgent attention from the crew to prevent water ingress or further complications.
PVI
Can you guess what this acronym stands for? It means “public vomiting incident” and it’s used by some cruise lines instead of “Purell”.
If you hear “PVI” over the ship’s intercom, it means someone has vomited in a public area, and there’s a need to clean quickly.
It is usually among the announcements often heard at the cruise buffet or near the areas where people eat.
Zulu, Zulu, Zulu
“Zulu, Zulu, Zulu” is a code indicating a fight on board.
It alerts the crew to intervene and manage the situation swiftly to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers.
Be careful not to get into a fight; it is one of the things that could get you banned from the cruise ship.
Star Code, Star Code, Star Code
This code is used to signal a medical emergency on the ship.
It’s similar to the “Alpha” code but might be used on different cruise lines or in specific contexts.
Sierra
“Sierra” is the code for a medical emergency that requires a stretcher.
This is a step above a regular medical emergency and indicates that the situation is serious enough to need additional support for transporting the patient.
In some cases, helicopter aid may also be required.
Mr Skylight
“Mr. Skylight” is not a common code on all ships, but when used, it typically refers to a situation involving a flood or the need for damage control on board.
The specifics can vary depending on the cruise line; on some, it generally means minor emergency.
Mr Mob
“Mr. Mob” is similar to “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar” and indicates a man overboard.
This is one of the most urgent and serious situations, prompting immediate rescue operations.
For this reason, this type of code is usually broadcast through the PA system on the whole ship to alert all the crew.
Operation Bright Star or Rising Star
These codes are used to indicate a severe medical emergency or death on board.
“Operation Bright Star” is often used for life-threatening medical conditions like heart attacks or strokes, while “Operation Rising Star” typically signifies that someone has passed away.
Can Codes Change Based on Ships?
Unfortunately, yes, codes can change according to cruise lines and also according to specific ships.
Therefore, take this list as a general guideline but keep in mind that meanings can change.
There is no international law on codes, so cruise lines can act independently and assign meanings as they prefer.
Why Should The Codes Remain Secret?
The lack of standardization is not casual but is used to maintain discretion about the meaning of the codes.
Think for a moment about why they are used. They are designed to communicate information to the crew without alarming passengers.
Consequently, if passengers could understand the meaning, their effectiveness would be lost.
This is why different cruise lines have their own safety and emergency protocols, which can include unique code words.
