October 1st,

After work yesterday, I went to class from 6 to 9:30.... And what I learned in class has shown me that we're doing everything wrong at the j-o-b!!! LOL When working with the pipe wrenches, we are not ever to use "cheaters" .... three feet of pipe put over the wrench handle for leverage .... HA! I've seen seasoned Journeymen do exactly that! I've done it, too! Well, not no more.... I am learning the right way in class, therefore, I am to un-learn the bad habits on the job.

Time to get up, and go to work now.

***

Sea Trials tomorrow. We have to take the Boston Towing tugboat out to test it before sending it off to/with the owner (owners). ... Ah, no, I'm not going on the sea trials as you don't know when the boat will return, and I have children to come home to... my son, and my eldest granddaughter (both of 'em are ten year olds). Plus, I have an eight hour class Saturday at the Union Hall from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. on CPR/First Aid. Sea Trials can last from two hours up to twenty hours.

Also, today at work I mentioned we weren't ever, ever, ever to use 'cheaters' on the pipes. The reaction/response I received was of "Crusty Ol' Sea Dogs" growl of how are you suppose to break loose a rusted up or frozen fitting on the pipe ... ... ... I'll tell ya,... First, use the proper size appropriate pipe wrench. Second, hammering the fitting with a backup hammer. Or Third, applying heat to the fitting to break it loose when repairing/changing the pipe. They didn't want to hear this. But we are not to use a 'cheater' for damage and / or breakage can occur to the pipe wrench,... most importantly, it's a risk of serious personal injury by doing so.

I, myself, will do it the right way and learn this skilled craft I've chosen for my career.