June 2009

A Blast Saves Our Ship

On Thursday 6-25 @ 9:30pm a radio call came to the bridge from the engine room. You could tell by Chris's voice something was seriously wrong. As I entered the engine room, of this hundred and eighteen foot dinner boat, water was pouring in. Propeller shaft slides aft allowing water to enter and if not stopped we were going to sink. Immediately we stuffed the shaft with rags and Chris gathered wood. He started handing me pieces with jagged edges; they were difficult to pound into place. My hands full I told him to take my Leatherman off my belt and use the saw, he did. After things calmed down we continued to cut additional pieces for back ups. The saw I seldom used since I have owned my original PST proved to be the most valuable tool of the crises. The next cruise a deck hand showed up with brand new Leatherman tool on his belt. I'm not kidding nor am I understating a Leatherman Blast was a vital tool is saving our ship.

Thank You.
Mike D., First Mate
Flemington, NJ