You will have a great time visiting our historic ship. To make sure you are as comfortable and safe as possible, there are a few guidelines that we request you read through prior to your visit. If you have any questions about these guidelines, email us at info@redoakvictory.us.
What to wear: The best footwear on board any ship are running shoes, boat shoes, or work boots. If you are coming for a “dressy” event you can wear your dress shoes at the party but if you plan to tour the ship consider bringing a pair of running/boat shoes to change into (especially important for the ladies who are wearing high heels). Open-toed shoes or sandals must not be worn at any time when touring the ship.
The Red Oak Victory sits right on the San Francisco Bay and thanks to our famous micro-climates it can be over 100° in the East Bay and yet be windy and cold at the ship. Be prepared with a light jacket. It is also a good idea for both comfort and safety reasons to wear long pants when touring the ship.
Stair Climbing: You will have to climb a long gangway of stairs to board the ship. If you are coming on board for one of the Pancake Breakfasts, this is the only stairs you have to climb. However, if you are coming on board for other events and/or to take a tour of the ship, you will have to climb and descend multiple flights of stairs.
Safety Considerations: We have done everything we can to make the Red Oak Victory a safe place to visit. We are fully in compliance with Coast Guard regulations for a museum ship. However, it is still important to recognize that there are dangerous spaces on any ship, many of them unlit. So always watch where you’re going and don’t go into areas unaccompanied if you are unfamiliar with what’s in there. If a sign says “Crew Only” or “No Admittance” it is there for safety reasons. Do not enter those areas without a crew member to escort you.
When going up and down ladders (“stairs” for landlubbers), always maintain three points of contact, e.g. both feet and one hand, two hands and one foot, etc. You can slide your hands on the railing rather than lifting them with each step. Don’t carry something up or down a ladder by yourself if it requires two hands to carry. Ask someone to help. When carrying items or working on a ship the old sailors always said “one hand for the ship and one hand for yourself”.
When going around the ship and especially up and down the ladders, be sure to look at what is above you. There are a quite a few projections, brackets, and fittings in the overhead that can whack your head. For that reason we recommend that when below decks you not wear a baseball cap or other cap with a peak or brim that can hide overhead hazards from your sight.
Emergency Procedures:
Emergencies are very unlikely on a ship tied to the dock but be aware that they can happen.
Injured person: Don’t try to move them. Find a crew member and/or call 911 if the injury is serious. You may need to go topside to get cell reception.
Fire or other emergency: 10 seconds continuous ringing of ship’s bell or general alarm bell. Find a crew member and follow directions.
Abandon ship: 7 short blasts and 1 long blast on the whistle or general alarm bell. If you’re below decks start heading topside. Don’t take anything with you. Look for a crew member and follow their directions.
Man Overboard: 3 long blasts on the whistle or general alarm bell. If you see someone go overboard DO NOT TAKE YOUR EYES OFF OF THEM!! Shout as loud as you can “Man overboard!!” and keep shouting until someone acknowledges you. DO NOT try to find a life ring or crew member. Keep your eyes on the person in the water!! Other crew members/visitors will make the notifications and carry out emergency procedures.
Dismissal of fire or emergency: 1 short blast on the whistle or general alarm bell.
If at any time on board you become confused or disoriented or you have a question related to safety, please look for someone wearing a crewmember ID badge to ask for assistance. A good general rule is that if you go UP from anywhere on the ship you will eventually come out onto an open deck.
Enjoy your visit!