OK, so you all know I live at the seashore, and I’m a fire chief and that I’m a fire inspector by trade (at least my current trade). I was relaxing at home… OK, I was taking a 30 minute breather at home on Saturday after a long class, but that’s not important. What I observed was though. Boat trailers were everywhere. The water is warming up and flounder season is right around the corner. It’s my understanding that the black drum are starting to bite in the Delaware. So the boats are getting fresh coats of bottom paint and new registration stickers. The motors are tuned up and ready for good times on the high seas. But I wonder what else has been done to prepare the boats, and indeed the occupants, for the summer season.
Have the life jackets been taken out? What shape are they in after winter storage? Can they be relied upon to keep a head above water long enough for help to arrive? What rules are applied to passengers in the boats? Our fireboat drove by today, and it’s still looking a bit rough from the dock pounding it took last summer. But I know that all the firemen’s life jackets are in better shape. They are each assigned and the department engineer inspects them about once a month. Odds are that our guys won’t need their life jackets. Odds are that most others won’t either, but does that mean they’re OK stowed in the mildewy hold of the boat? Shouldn’t you take them out and make sure they’re servicable. It will only cost a little time and not even a fraction of what you paid the mechanic to tune up the motor.
Hmmm… Look at that under the pile of brown spotted life jackets! It’s the fire extinguisher. You wondered where that got to when the mount broke on it last August, didn’t you? The gauge looks good. But is the dry chemical inside still powdery? It might cost all of $20.00 to get that serviced next time you run into town. You think you can afford that? After all you just replaced all of your tackle in anticipation of a banner fishing season! What about fixing that mount so you can actually find the extinguisher if you need it? It’s only a broken screw! The gear case oil cost more than the replacement fastener will.
You checked that mount out didn’t you? What, you found the flare gun? And it’s only out of date by a couple of years! How fortunate! I know, you’d replace it but you don’t know what to do with the old one, and heck, it’s never been shot. A new kit would cost about $60.00. That would almost fill the tank half way. Decisions, decisions! The radio guy already got you for $200.00 for installation of the new antenna.
So, the boats are going in. I wonder how many we’ll have to go help this year. I wonder how many will not return with their owners.
