It's All Fun & Games Until Somebody Loses an Eye!

I often times work with a matey I call Sammy Safety. Sammy's a good`ol salt who is kind of like an unappointed "Safety Officer" when we're on the job or doing special projects. Sammy doesn't hesitate to point out to a person (Captains or Swabbies it don't matter) to use extra care or pay closer attention to avoid being physically injured at whatever you may be doing whether it's replacing a forestay to the bowsprit or peeling `taters he's always keeping a watch. Now most of the time its things that should be common sense to all of us like wearing protective gloves or maybe a slightly different way of working a task to minimize the chance of getting hurt and sometimes Sammy sounds like an old parrot that only knows two words: "Careful Now! Careful Now! Careful Now!" he squawks!


Well it was a few months ago we're workin' a small maintenance job with some new fangled power tool and Sammy was beside himself with glee at the chance to use it, "We'll make short work of this mate" he crowed. He turns on the tool and it begins to howl like a banshee! I wave him off and have Sammy shut it down, "What's the problem Cappy?!"

"I think ye forgot somethin' mate..."

"What? What's that? This little beauty will have these pieces trimmed up in a blink and we're done!" Sammy crowed.

"Safety glasses mate...`Work safe and stay workin' that's what you always preach." I said tapping on mine.

"Ahhh Cappy...You're worryin' like an old sea hag, knock it off and let me get this done will ya?" Sammy turns back, fires up that howlin' banshee again and sets to it. Small flecks of flashing are flickin' off everywhere and Sammy is goin' after it with the devil's grin on his mug. A few seconds later I see a bigger chunk come flippin' off, Sammy's head snaps and he lets out a big grunt! The banshee tool quickly shuts down and me mate turns around holding a hand over one eye, I can see blood all over and know its not good.

"Get `ur hand away...Lemme' take a look!" I snapped. Sammy slowly lowered his mitt...Thank God he still had his eye but high on his cheek right under it was a nasty gash that took 3 stitches to close! Ol'Sammy Safety was pretty sheepish after that.


I would guess if you're a shipmate who likes to give advice you should probably follow your own...



Arrrr...Cappy Out