Who has the key?

Cruise Travel, July-August, 2004 by Norbert Schaefer

I took this picture on my last cruise. This compartment was on the sports deck. Of the 2,000-plus passengers onboard, I wondered if I was the only one wondering, "Who has the key?" It's weeks later, and I'm still wondering.

Norbert Schaefer, Zephyrhills, FL

All passenger ships are required to carry a certain number of lifejackets above and beyond the passenger capacity, and these are often stared ondeck for easy distribution in case of emergency. In order to ensure that the required number of lifejackets are always in place and that none of the jackets has been tampered with since the last inspection, some ships (such as yours) might secure the storage lockers, with the keys being held most likely on the bridge and by the officers in charge of the lifeboat stations in that area.