Body Protection

“Be careful, and keep your hands and fingers clear” was the warning from the captain of a large sailboat to his first mate as they approached the fiberglass mooring mast. Moments later, the mate leaned over the side, plucked the buoy from harbor waters, and placed the mooring line over the cleat. After viewing the process, the captain put the engine in reverse to prevent momentum from carrying the boat into others moored nearby. Almost instantly, he heard a scream from the bow. Placing the engine into neutral, he rushed forward where he spotted his first mate’s hand caught between the mooring line and large bronze chock. Blood was spurting out over her hand, arm, and the deck. Leaning down beside her, he lifted the mooring line out of the chock, freeing her hand. As she pulled away from the chock, they could both see the damage- the last third of her index finger was literally hanging by a thread and the blood was flowing freely. A quick call to the club launch and she was on her way to the local emergency room. Question: boat handling processes can change from safe to dangerous in seconds- are your crew members trained well enough to keep safe at all times?