It pays to be on the smallish side and lithe if the surveyor wants to do a complete job and get into those tight spots where maintenance is almost always neglected and surprises are often found. I’m not small but not too big either but with age I’ve sustained more than my share of orthopedic surgeries and put on a few pounds all of which tend to limit a man’s squeezabilty. On three different occasions I’ve gotten myself nearly stuck once requiring the help of somebody pulling me out by my feet. This happened once on a Beal’s Island style lobster boat where I knew there were lots of broken frames and upset floors or pounders as they are locally known to ‘ Downeaster ‘ Maine fishermen. I needed a couple of photos from my small film camera. This little Canon never let me down and had a great flash for jobs like this. Without photos I was just blowing smoke.
I crawled in aft of the reduction gear with my headlight and wiggled aft about four frame bays. Saw what I needed, snapped about 6-8 shots but when I tried to back out I couldn’t get any purchase or something to push out on. Turning around was impossible and like a complete fool still had my hammer in the side pocket of my overalls. My partner and I always wore overalls pockets full of tools. The hammer handle was sticking out a ways keeping me from raising up my butt and stomach to gain some wiggle room above the floor Timbers. I was stuck and was now going through deep breaths and mental games to settle down and keep from hyperventilating.
I had to get rid of that damned hammer. I tried to wedge it into a deck beam and tear the pocket open but the overalls were too tough. I had a clip-it knife in my right pants pocket but my overalls were over my pants so reaching for that pocket was tricky and hard. Finally I got it now I had to transfer it to my left hand. I couldn’t get my crippled shoulders to cooperate but figured maybe I could just drop it in a frame bay in front of me and catch it with my left hand as it slid down toward the keel. The risk was making sure it didn't get by my hand and fall into the hollow keel below. Anyway I grabbed it then painfully worked my left hand behind me and sliced open my pocket releasing the hammer. I sighed and rested a few minutes and was now able to hump up and back out. That was close. Well I don’t crawl those built-down flat run lobster boats anymore but this was assignment involving a fishing company, six boats and bankruptcy court. The hammer is still there.
Rick
I crawled in aft of the reduction gear with my headlight and wiggled aft about four frame bays. Saw what I needed, snapped about 6-8 shots but when I tried to back out I couldn’t get any purchase or something to push out on. Turning around was impossible and like a complete fool still had my hammer in the side pocket of my overalls. My partner and I always wore overalls pockets full of tools. The hammer handle was sticking out a ways keeping me from raising up my butt and stomach to gain some wiggle room above the floor Timbers. I was stuck and was now going through deep breaths and mental games to settle down and keep from hyperventilating.
I had to get rid of that damned hammer. I tried to wedge it into a deck beam and tear the pocket open but the overalls were too tough. I had a clip-it knife in my right pants pocket but my overalls were over my pants so reaching for that pocket was tricky and hard. Finally I got it now I had to transfer it to my left hand. I couldn’t get my crippled shoulders to cooperate but figured maybe I could just drop it in a frame bay in front of me and catch it with my left hand as it slid down toward the keel. The risk was making sure it didn't get by my hand and fall into the hollow keel below. Anyway I grabbed it then painfully worked my left hand behind me and sliced open my pocket releasing the hammer. I sighed and rested a few minutes and was now able to hump up and back out. That was close. Well I don’t crawl those built-down flat run lobster boats anymore but this was assignment involving a fishing company, six boats and bankruptcy court. The hammer is still there.
Rick