Derek and Doris were excited. Their dreams were coming true and they had their yacht. They were ready to make their way towards the Mediterranean sunshine and, with a perfect forecast, cast-off for Portugal.

 

Derek kept watch as Doris went below to prepare supper. A tasty chicken stir–fry was on the menu. While chopping vegetables the boat rolled a little, the knife slipped and sliced through her finger. Blood spurted all over the galley. Doris screamed “Derek! Help!” Derek rushed below. He put Doris’s finger under the cold water tap and made her wash it

while gently squeezing the end near the knuckle to help stem the flow of blood. A sterile pack of gauze swabs was taken from the First Aid box and used to dry the finger. Doris lay down on the saloon berth with her feet up on a cushion to reduce the effects of shock. Although the cut was deep and could have benefited from a couple of stitches Derek was squeamish and opted to use Steristrips instead. Derek washed his hands then carefully applied the strips. He pulled the edges of the cut together so the strips held it tightly, then covered the wound with a non–adhesive dressing. He finished with a finger bandage securing it gently round Doris’s

wrist. Derek then made Doris a nice cup of sweet tea and left her to rest.

 

Isn’t Derek wonderful? Don’t forget he had to finish the watch and get the boat into a safe haven on his own, and do all the ‘wet’ jobs until Doris’s finger had healed enough to not need a dressing. Remember Steristrips have to be left until they drop off on their own.

 

The moral of the story; wasn't it lucky they had a well stocked First Aid kit and Derek was able to keep a cool head in a difficult situation.

SAFELY SAILING THE SEA WITH DEREK AND DORIS

Maggie of ‘Calidore’

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portholenews@gmail.com

SALTY TIM’S NAUTICAL FACTS

 

“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success...” so read Sir Ernest Shackleton’s newspaper ad seeking men to accompany him on his famous expedition to the Antarctic in 1914.

 

It is unlucky to start a cruise on a Friday, the day Christ was crucified. In the nineteenth century the British navy tried to dispel this superstition. The keel of a new ship was laid on a Friday; she was named HMS Friday, launched on a Friday and finally sent to sea on a Friday. Neither the ship nor her crew were ever heard of again.

 

Icelandic sagas tell us that human sacrifices were lashed to the ground over which launching rollers would travel as a ship made its way from land to sea for the first time. More commonly, the blood of animals

was used to christen a ship, the animals being sacrificed to the gods to invoke their protection. In medieval times a bottle of red wine was substituted for the animal blood, and later champagne was used because it was more expensive than red wine. The Japanese custom is to release a flock of doves when a ship is launched.

 

Superstitions

Black travelling bags bring seamen bad luck.

When on the way to the dock, avoid people with red hair because they bring bad luck to a ship. The bad luck can be averted by speaking to the redheads first.

By the same token, avoid flat-footed people; but also speak to one first if you happen to meet on the way to the ship.

A stolen piece of wood mortised into the keel makes a ship sail faster.

A gold coin placed under the masthead ensures a successful, profitable voyage.

Never put your left foot down first when stepping aboard a ship - disaster will follow if you do.