Shark Bridge Training Packet Assigned 205: Andrew Uhling [email protected] Primary Biologist Responsible for this Area: Jen Hazeres Secondary Biologist Responsible for this Area: Ty Jobson Equipment ● Radio o Should always be on, at an audible level, and on channel 2. Should be worn, or at least within reach at all times. ● Mic o Should be worn and on at all times. Can be muted as needed to talk to guests in close proximity. If the volume is to hi/low, make adjustments to the mic’s proximity to your mouth. Do NOT adjust the sensitivity or any other settings on the mic pack. Be sure to turn off the headset prior to battery removal. Also the cord should never be wrapped around the headset or mic pack. ● AA Key o To be used to arm/disarm the gate alarm. Held by the entrance position when they are present. ● Flashlight o Use during power outages; otherwise kept in the cabinet. Do not point towards a guest’s face. ● Stanchions o Never move the stanchions. o The “Entrance” and “Shark Bridge Rules” signs must be easily visible at the entrance to the line. o Opening the back line. ▪ Call 205. They must be aware that the line is open. ▪ You can open the line yourself, or have 205 come to assist. ▪ This can be accomplished by opening/closing a select few stanchion belts. Ask a 205 for clarification on this. A diagram of stanchions is included in this packet. ▪ Call the 205 before shortening the line. Once the line has been extended, it will likely be kept open for the rest of the day. Policy & Procedures ● Opening Shark Bridge o 205 will remove the gates and station topper quoting the opening time. o Retrieve the mic, radio, and key from the cabinet. ● Taking over on the Shark Bridge mic. o You will take the mic, radio, and key from the cast member who is leaving the position. ● Closing the Shark Bridge. o Remain on the mic, talking to guests until the final guest has left the Shark Top Overlook. o Once the Shark Top Overlook is clear, the 205 will collect the radio, keys, and batteries from the mic. Take the mic to the cabinet. o The 205 will put the doors on the Shark Bridge. ● Stay near the Entrance to the Shark Bridge Line. A greeter must be present to welcome incoming guests. You are also there to address any safety concerns on the Exit Escalator. ● Greet all guests approaching from the Exit Escalator and Exit Elevator. ● Refrain from speaking over the mic too much while tours are at Shark Top. ● Inform guests of rules they appear they could possibly encroach (e.g., if they have small children they could pick up, a stroller they would need to park, or open food/drinks). This can be done on or off of the mic, use your best judgment. ● Shark Bridge Entrance position o Hold the AA key. You are responsible for disarming/rearming the gate by the Penguin House. o Engage the guests. Entertain, educate, encourage, and just interact with the guests around you. Just like any other position, you are to welcome guests, answer any questions, give fun facts, encourage participation, give a conservation message, and enforce rules. o Assist the cast member on the mic with any issues. Rules for Guests ● No open food or drink is allowed on the Shark Bridge. o Bottles are allowed so long as they are closed. ● All guests must be willing and able to walk the full distance; no guest can be carried. ● No running is allowed at the Shark Top Overlook or on the Shark Bridge. *All relevant rules should be relayed to guests before they enter the line. If a rule is infracted on the Shark Bridge (e.g., a parent picking up a child) politely correct the guest behavior over the mic once. If they cross again remind them face to face of the rule. If they continue to break the rule inform them that they will no longer be able to cross the Shark Bridge. Contact 205 with any issues. Common Issues ● Gate alarm. o Disarm and rearm with AA key. ● Exit Escalator going down. o Call 205, if they don’t respond call 204. While the escalator is down, communicate to guests that they should stay off of the escalator until it is operating properly. If there is an entrance person at the bridge, they can go down either the elevator or emergency stairwell to block entrance to the exit escalator. ● Spill. o Call 205 or Task Force with details of the spill; including the size, location, what was spilt, and if there are bodily fluids. Guard the spill so that no one steps in it. ● People coming up escalator with a stroller or wheelchair. o Remind them of the Elevator. It is our policy that no stroller or wheelchair can go on the escalator, even if they are empty and folded up. ● Line needing to be extended due to crowd size. o Extend the line following the proper procedure. This can be done on your own, or by the 205. Either way, be sure to notify the 205. Emergencies ● Emergency Exits o Emergency Exit doors by the Exit Elevator leading into the Upper Lobby. o Retail doors. Two options from Retail: best option is through Upper Lobby, second option is into the Administration Hallway and out through the Employee Entrance. o Emergency stairwell leading down to Penguin Palooza. o Last option is through the Emergency Gate by the Penguin House. You would then exit via the first stairwell on your left. Only use if necessary. ● Fire Pull Alarm o Located to the right of the Emergency Exit door by the Husbandry Office. ● Fire Extinguisher o Located at the end of the Shark Bridge, to the left. ● Power Outage o In the event of a power outage at Shark Bridge, front-line cast will evacuate the bridge and ask that guests remain at Shark Top Overlook until power returns or Engineering authorizes a General Evacuation. o Engineering also has the authority to call for an evacuation of Shark Bridge in the event of an eminent power outage. ● Severe Weather o Evacuate the Shark Bridge and escort guests down the Emergency Exit stairwell into Penguin Palooza. Retail and Upper Lobby will be sending people your way. Stand at the bottom of the Exit Escalator. o Engineering has the authority to call for an evacuation of Shark Bridge in the event of a suspected or eminent power outage due to severe weather. ● Fire o Follow General Evacuation Protocol. Evacuate the Shark Bridge, evacuate Shark Top Overlook through the emergency exit doors into Upper Lobby. If busy, evacuate the back line of Shark Bridge down the emergency stairwell and outside. ● Code “Blowfish” o Follow General Evacuation Protocol. Evacuate the Shark Bridge, evacuate Shark Top Overlook through the emergency exit doors into Upper Lobby. If busy, evacuate the back line of Shark Bridge down the emergency stairwell and outside. o Upon hearing “Code Blowfish” over the radio, take the guest in your area to the meeting locations further from the building. If you exit through the Upper Lobby, the meeting point is South of Third Street, across from Brio’s. If exiting via the emergency stairwell by Penguin Palooza, the meeting point is on Riverpoint Row by the BB Riverboats parking lot. ● Active Shooter o Run, Hide, Fight. ▪ If you can, run. Evacuate the building, encouraging other to follow. Do not wait for anyone, do not stop when you get outside, and keep your hands empty, open, and in the air. ▪ If you cannot run, hide. Hide wherever you can, no place is off limits. Barricade doors, turn off your phone and radio, and stay silent no matter what. ▪ If running and hiding are no longer options, fight. Fight until either you or the shooter is completely incapacitated. Use whatever you can as a weapon. If you are forced to fight, fully commit. Shark Bridge & Surrounded by Sharks Tank Facts ● Shark Bridge o 75ft rope suspension bridge. o Weight capacity over 20,000 lbs. o Opened in April 2015. o Had an estimated two million crossings in the first two years. ● Surrounded by Sharks Tank o Our largest tank at 385,000 gallons. o 4,275 gallons filtered every minute. o Depths ranging from 9.5’ to 24’. o Acrylic tunnels are 2.5” thick. Shark tunnel floor is 9.5” thick: 2.5” of glass above 7” of acrylic. FAQ ● Where is the closest bathroom? o In the café. Down the Exit Elevator, to the right through Shark Central. o After leaving the Newport Aquarium. A public bathroom just past Sweet Dreams Candy Co., across from Five Guys Burger and Fries. ● How do I get back downstairs? o The Exit Elevator will take you downstairs between Shark Central and Penguin Palooza. o They can head to the Upper Lobby and start at the beginning if they still have their ticket stub. ● Where is the exit? o The double doors at the end of the Shark Bridge and Overlook will lead to the Gift Shop, which empties into the Front Lobby. ● Where do I get my pictures? o Newport Aquarium Photography is located in the back of the Gift Shop. Just through the doors at the end of the Shark Bridge. ● Why are the sharks splashing? o It could be the sand tiger shark’s breeding season. During this time the males get more active. Shark Bridge Stanchions Close for extension Open for extension Always closed Animals Blacktip Reef Shark Carcharhinus melanopterus Order: Carcharhiniformes Family: Carcharhinidae IUCN STATUS: Near Threatened Size: Individuals can grow to a maximum of 1.8m and 24kg.