FREE  on  the  SEA

ARKON CH-04 Thrill of a Drill

The following message appeared on All Hands wall screens and commo pods on a Sunday.

One of the things people living on a ship learn to do is help each other. We're all in the same boat, so to speak. So when we have an emergency that requires all hands to help we will sound three loud klaxons or gongs, followed by a statement: 

Now all hands man your pirate stations and standby to repel boarders. This is a drill (or not). Do not cycle the railgun or load ammunition into the anti-aircraft weapons. Break out the small arms for your station and standby. 

When going to your general quarters station you will proceed up and forward on the starboard and down and aft on the port side of your module. In this case forward will be towards the center and aft will be towards the outside periphery. This should prevent collisions and congestion. You should move quickly but do not run.

Secure All Watertight Hatches.

There will be two people assigned to each water tight hatch whose job is to close it when it looks like all Personnel are on station. This will prevent damage from one compartment allowing seawater into another compartment and sinking our ship.

 or

The emergency could be:


All hands man your pirate stations and standby for firefighting.

There will be four special teams that have training in firefighting on board a ship. Most crew will just stay out of the way topside. If you have to go down a smoke-filled passageway and see no flames ahead, you should get down on your hands and knees and breathe the air near the deck, it should be much cleaner. Also try to breathe through your nose. If it feels stuffy, pinch your nose and blow out the soot.

Your individual GQ station will be sent to your wall screen and commo pod in the next 2 hours. Take some time during your off work hours before this Thursday and find your station. If you have time practice how you will get there from work or your cabin. Thursday morning between 0800 and 1100 there will be a drill. There will be monitors with orange armbands to answer questions or point you in the right direction. This exercise will be timed so we can see how we improve for the next one.

"Oh my God," said Tango, "this is not downtown Smallville." "You're on the Arkon now, you're not behind a plow," said Logan, "Let's call Jack and Bonnie and have a meeting on the fantail tonight." Just then their commo pods beeped with an incoming call from Jack and Bonnie.

"So, where's your station?" asked Jack. "I've got a hatch to close on deck 4," said Tango, "Not far from work." "And I'm one of five roveing snipers on the fantail," said Logan, "How about you guys?" "I'm on a corner Rifleman team overlooking the starboard protected Anchorage," said Bonnie. "And I'm on a corner Rifleman team overlooking the port protected Anchorage," said Jack.

"This is what the question on the application regarding, 'Would you shoot someone attacking you?' was all about," said Logan, "Those checking 'NO', are still on the beach waiting for an invitation, heh. "I thought so," said Jack, "That's the way the Jungle Rumbles."


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