At Coralia Liveaboards, liveaboard safety training is not something we train for once and tick off a list. It is a skill we practise, maintain and refine, every month.
At the end of August, our crew completed three days of intensive firefighting training with Celebes Marine Services, strengthening the practical skills and teamwork needed to respond to an emergency at sea.
The training went beyond theory. Through realistic simulations and hands-on exercises, the crew had to put their knowledge into practice, working with firefighting equipment and responding to scenarios designed to test their technique, coordination and ability to act under pressure.
Training for the Moments That Matter
Firefighting at sea presents challenges that require preparation, clear communication and a coordinated response. When an alarm sounds, there is no time to figure out where equipment is stored or how it works. Every crew member needs to understand their role and be ready to act.
During the three-day course, the crew worked through simulated fire emergencies wearing full firefighting suits and using the equipment required to tackle a fire.
The exercises incorporated smoke, alarms and a specialised simulation screen displaying a virtual fire. Using laser-equipped firefighting hoses and fire extinguishers, crew members practised targeting and extinguishing the simulated flames.
These scenarios allow the crew to practise handling equipment and responding to an emergency in a controlled training environment. They also reinforce the importance of teamwork, communication and following the correct procedures when the pressure is on.
Why Repeat Liveaboard Safety Training Matters
Completing a firefighting course is an important milestone, but it is not the end of the process.
Even crew members who have already completed comprehensive firefighting training must return for refresher training. Procedures need to remain familiar, equipment must be handled confidently, and skills can only be maintained through regular practice.
That is why our commitment to safety continues long after formal training ends.
Onboard, we conduct monthly emergency drills to reinforce what the crew has learned. Repeated practice helps make the response to an emergency more familiar and instinctive, from recognising an alarm and locating the necessary equipment to communicating with colleagues and carrying out the appropriate procedures.
The objective is simple: when an emergency happens, our crew should not be learning what to do. They should be putting their training into action.
Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Fire safety is not just the responsibility of the officers or deck crew. On a liveaboard, every member of the team has a role to play in keeping the vessel and everyone onboard safe.
That is why our firefighting training involves the entire crew, from engineers, chefs and housekeeping staff to officers, dive guides, deckhands and cruise directors.
Regardless of their department or daily responsibilities, every crew member needs to understand the emergency procedures, know how to use the relevant equipment and be prepared to respond when an alarm sounds.
In an emergency at sea, an effective response depends on the whole team working together. Everyone needs to understand their responsibilities, communicate clearly and act quickly.
By training together and practising regularly, we build a shared understanding of what needs to happen when something goes wrong. Combined with our monthly emergency drills, this helps keep essential procedures fresh and makes the response more familiar and instinctive.
A Commitment Shared Across Our Fleet
At Coralia Liveaboards, providing exceptional diving experiences goes hand in hand with maintaining a strong safety culture across our fleet.
Our crew’s preparation is an essential part of that commitment. Regular training and drills help keep safety procedures at the forefront of daily operations, building the confidence and coordination needed to respond effectively when it matters most.
We would like to thank Celebes Marine Service for leading our three-day firefighting training in August and helping our team continue to develop these essential skills.
Because at sea, safety is never a one-time exercise. It is a responsibility we carry on every voyage, for our crew and every guest who steps aboard.
