Got told my ladder setup on the spud barge was a joke, and they were right.

A guy from the Port of Tacoma crew saw me last month and said, 'You're gonna end up in the drink with that wobbly thing.' He showed me how to lash the base to a cleat with a short piece of heavy line, not just a bungee. I did it his way and it's solid as a rock now, even in a chop. What's your go-to trick for keeping gear secure on deck?

2 comments

2 Comments

finleythomas5d ago

Man, that's a rough feeling when someone points out something you thought was fine and it turns out it's a safety hazard. Good on that Tacoma guy for taking the time to show you the right way instead of just laughing. I had a similar wake up call with a gangway once, and swapping a bungee for a proper line made all the difference. It's those little tricks from old salts that save your gear and your hide.

lily895d ago

Gotta disagree a little bit though. In my experience, swapping a bungee for a proper line isn't always the best move if you need a little give in rough conditions. A bungee can actually absorb shock better than a rigid line in some cases, keeps things from snapping. Just my two cents, your mileage may vary.