I've only been on one steamship in my entire life. The (rigid)lifeboats were down low, right beside large openings that were only two feet or so above the water. If the old tub started going down, it looked like your would have to go DOWN inside the ship to get into the lifeboats, or jump from the rail. Getting soaking wet in a survival situation seems counter-productive to me.

So, does anyone know how lifeboats/rafts are actually deployed from a cruise-type ship? Are they loaded with people on deck and then put over the side? Are they put in the water first, and people have to get into them from there?

Do liferafts of any kind actually have sea anchors? I read somewhere that it takes about 10 minutes to get one into the water from a fishing boat.

Sue