Escape pod

An escape pod is a small manoeuvrable capsule allowing quick escape from a starship or starbase for various reasons. Most vessels and bases have more than one escape pod.

Escape pods are usually utilized when a ship or base is heavily damaged and may be destroyed. All Starfleet vessels and bases contain sufficient number of escape pods to ensure the entire crew and all non-Starfleet personnel can be safely evacuated.

A minority of Klingon starships lack escape pods. 

Noted Fanon Uses

 * Dr. Maria Ramirez, with her children Remedios, Amaranta and Antonio, escaped the heavily damaged USS Auckland aboard escape pods. Shortly thereafter, the Auckland was destroyed. (: "Salvation")
 * USS Artemis survivors utilized the escape pods in 2364 when the ship was severely damaged and a warp core breach was in progress. (IND: "False Security")
 * After the Borg severely damaged and boarded the USS Rebellious, Elizabeth Singh at the Battle of Wolf 359 in 2367, Regina Meyer and 9 other survivors escaped aboard escape pods before the ship exploded. (: "An Innocent Time", "Devil's Cube")