Buck 303 cadet saves the day - small knife, big impact.

A

Art_Vandeley

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Jul 22, 2009
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Yesterday, pushing our deadline we finally got the mainengine on the 54ft school ship (a decommisioned supply vessel) up and running. This was the last chance we had this year, to take the old girl for a ride.

Me (3rd engineer), the 2nd engineer, and the chief plus 2 seaman were heading out in the fjord at 6knts, when the alarm in the engine room went off. The start engine didn`t disconnect the magnets automatically, and started going up in smokes. We had to cut the power, to prevent a fire, and couldn`t get the engine running again. We were drifting without propulsion, when a sailboat approached us. We asked if he could pull us to the pier, and he was willing to help us.

Now a 34ft sailboat with 27hp pulling a 54ft 57BRT old supply boat isn`t something you see every day. We were as careful as we can, and it took about 2,5 hours to pull us the 1nm back to the pier, when things got hairy.

As we approached the pier straight ahead, so we could swing port at the last possible second, to give us enough time to jump over board and fasten the mooring lines, the sailboat pulling us, gave too much power, and we were heading too fast for it to get out of the way.

So now the sailboat is between us (going around 3 or 4 knts, way too fast for a ship without propulsion heading for a pier), and the pier. We had to cut the towing line before we`d crush the small boat.

Of course nobody had a knife on them, nobody except me. I ran to the bow, and started cutting away at the mooring line we had fastened there. It was about as thick as the upper arm of a child, and so I started cutting like mad. The Buck 303 of course having the excellent 420HC steel managed to get through the thick rope in a matter of seconds.

The sailboat had just enough time to swing starboard and get out of the way at full speed. We avoided a collision at about 2 or 3 feet. That was enough action for one day, let me tell you that. We secured the boat, checked the damage to the start engine, and turned in for the day.

So that just shows it, doesn`t matter what knife you have on you, in an emergency even a small knife can save the day.
I`ll take a picture of it later.

-Lars
 
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Interesting story, thanks! Good thing you had a knife. Hope your mates learned a lesson and will be equiped next time...
 
Great story. That could have been an ugly result. Goes to show you, everyone aboard any type of boat, ship, yacht, canoe, whatever, should have a sharp knife. :thumbup:
 
Good going, Lars!

Yet another great example of why everyone should have a knife on them. Like my old man told me; "It doesn't have to be big, just sharp."

Carl.
 
Art_Vandeley said:
[ snip ]

So now the sailboat is between us (going around 3 or 4 knts, way too fast for a ship without propulsion heading for a pier), and the pier. We had to cut the towing line before we`d crush the small boat.

Of course nobody had a knife on them, nobody except me. I ran to the bow, and started cutting away at the mooring line we had fastened there. It was about as thick as the upper arm of a child, and so I started cutting like mad. The Buck 303 of course having the excellent 420HC steel managed to get through the thick rope in a matter of seconds.

The sailboat had just enough time to swing starboard and get out of the way at full speed. We avoided a collision at about 2 or 3 feet. That was enough action for one day, let me tell you that. We secured the boat, checked the damage to the start engine, and turned in for the day.

So that just shows it, doesn`t matter what knife you have on you, in an emergency even a small knife can save the day.
I`ll take a picture of it later.

-Lars
Click to expand...

A man aboard ship or boat who is without a knife, is a man not fully dressed.

Well done.


P.S. -- See also Gibbs rule #9​

 
And you did it all without the benefit of one-handed opening, spring assist or a blade-locking device. Who knew slip joints could be so competent? (I carry one daily, myself.)

;)

Thanks for sharing this story with us.
 
Thanks for sharing that, Lars. It's always great to hear when an ordinary pocket knife does extraordinary things! :thumbup:
 
This is the second time in a short period of time that a smallish, sharp slipjoint performed admirably. Well done sir!

Carl's father's maxim is something I think about often and something I try to instill in my children. It's very very true.
 
Lars,
thanks for sharing. Well my 303 is on its way, so these stories make me even more anxious to get it :)
Living on an island, and having sailed more than a few times, I know that kind of situation and I know how much damage can result if things go wrong.
Glad you were on that boat :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Yeah it really was a close call. We have knives on board, but they are Moras that have seen better days.

Here is a picture of yesterdays hero, and a picture taken just after we cut the power, there is lots of smoke in the air.

IMG_0002.jpg


stadbergen.jpg
 
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Awesome to see another Buck from the 300 series just doing it's job.
They are all great knives and there is one for everyone. Job Well Done.
 
Boy, what a story... it would be a treat to see a photo of the cut line.....

300Bucks
 
Thanks for sharing your story. Never been a day I was sorry for carrying a knife. Can't imagine not having one in my pocket everyday.
 
I'm glad that you and the rest of the crew were ok Lars.
Thanks for sharing the real life example of why you should always keep a knife on you and to keep em sharp!

KG
 
Good work, Lars. :thumbup: I certainly hope you didn't have to pay for your own beer at the end of the day!

-- Mark
 
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