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Don't do this.......

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Created by rumblefish > 9 months ago, 7 Dec 2015
rumblefish
TAS, 824 posts
7 Dec 2015 9:04AM
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Hey all,

Thought I'd just share a story from the weekend about how easy it is to make a mistake with something you have done hundreds of times before.

My old man has a converted Tassie Cray Boat with an old Gardner 5LW engine.
Now being an old boat things don't always work as they should and one of those is the belt on the salt water pump which if the engine hasn't been started in a while, slips and doesn't turn the pump. The usual method for fixing is to reach over the front of the engine and give the belt a tap with a hammer.

Now my Dad was working on the boat on Saturday, re-aligning the engine after installing a new prop shaft. He started the engine and the saltwater pump belt was slipping. Now Dad has probably had that happen over 100 times but this time he looked around, and no hammer, so he grabbed the belt with his right hand!!!
The belt the grabbed, forcing his hand through the pulley. he managed to pull most of his hand away but his 2nd and 3rd fingers went around between the pulley and belt.
The end result is he has lost down the the first knuckle on the 2nd finger and they have tried to rebuild the end of the 3rd finger.

Now my Dad is not prone to doing silly things, he has been a tradie for 30 years and is the type of bloke you want helping you in just about any situation, so the moral to this story is to stop, think and take your time about doing jobs on your boat. It takes a split second to change you life forever.

Oh and cleaning up the blood wasn't fun either!!!!

samsturdy
NSW, 1659 posts
7 Dec 2015 9:29AM
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So sorry to hear that Rumble. Yes you are right of course.....take your time. I hope Dad
recovers real quick.

HG02
VIC, 5814 posts
7 Dec 2015 9:42AM
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My old dad did mych the same only
He was lucky enough to pick up the off cuts and they sowed them back on with grease marks

andy59
QLD, 1156 posts
7 Dec 2015 9:05AM
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A timely reminder for us all Rumblefish. Hope your Dad gets his 3rd finger back.

Sectorsteve
QLD, 2195 posts
7 Dec 2015 3:01PM
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Im so sorry to hear this....poor fella.

Crusoe
QLD, 1197 posts
7 Dec 2015 3:30PM
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Thanks for sharing Rumblefish. Certainly a good reminder to us all to be safety consious.

ChopesBro
351 posts
7 Dec 2015 7:20PM
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Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

And good timing. ...im up on the hard for a re fit.

Its different over here. ...lifes so cheap



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"Don't do this......." started by rumblefish