(no subject)
Cross-posted from a forum post I made.
Yesterday I went to my first pirate event of the season in Ilwaco, WA. The Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain were present in the bay and were offering sailing trips in the evening for 50 dollars. I was the only member of The Brotherhood Of Oceanic Mercenaries (B.O.O.M.) there but I knew a few of the people from the other pirate groups who where present. For me, the day consisted of standing behind a table of weapons showing children how flint-locks work and explaining the difference and use of the various swords and daggers. There was a gunnery crew firing blank charges into the bay from cannons and small arms (an idea they got from B.O.O.M.) every few hours so we kept everyone entertained.
Soon it was time for the evening sail on both ships. Everyone but myself and a friend of mine boarded either vessel and they casted off. My friend and I were sitting in a restaurant by the bay (still dressed in Pirate garb) when I looked out the window and was surprised to see The Lady Washington back in port already. Soon the dock was swarming with coast guard, all franticly running around. At first I thought there may had been a fire but I looked at the sails and saw that they were only partially secured suggesting that something happened to a crew member or passenger and they had to stop and engage the engine under the deck to return to port as quickly as possible. I had my friend call one of our mutual friends who were on board at the time to find out what happened. Apparently the crew were harassing one of their own and daring him to kiss the top of the main mast. To prove his ability to do it he gave into their childish hazing and made the attempt. Something went horribly wrong and he lost his footing and plunged 90 feet to the deck below. He landed right next to the group of pirates who were enjoying the cruise up until that point. Our friends came off the ship very traumatized.
The crew member's name is Lucas and he was visiting from Switzerland. He was an avid builder of ship models and wanted to experience what it was like to really work a tall-ship. He has no family in the US and is in critical condition... but I have no idea where he was taken for treatment. His injuries were extensive but from what I heard he was able to move his toes when the emergency crews asked him to do so to confirm any serious spinal injuries. Other than that he had a punctured lung, broken ribs and lots of internal bleeding.
If I find out any more information I'll post it here. Until then please keep Lucas in your thoughts.
Yesterday I went to my first pirate event of the season in Ilwaco, WA. The Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain were present in the bay and were offering sailing trips in the evening for 50 dollars. I was the only member of The Brotherhood Of Oceanic Mercenaries (B.O.O.M.) there but I knew a few of the people from the other pirate groups who where present. For me, the day consisted of standing behind a table of weapons showing children how flint-locks work and explaining the difference and use of the various swords and daggers. There was a gunnery crew firing blank charges into the bay from cannons and small arms (an idea they got from B.O.O.M.) every few hours so we kept everyone entertained.
Soon it was time for the evening sail on both ships. Everyone but myself and a friend of mine boarded either vessel and they casted off. My friend and I were sitting in a restaurant by the bay (still dressed in Pirate garb) when I looked out the window and was surprised to see The Lady Washington back in port already. Soon the dock was swarming with coast guard, all franticly running around. At first I thought there may had been a fire but I looked at the sails and saw that they were only partially secured suggesting that something happened to a crew member or passenger and they had to stop and engage the engine under the deck to return to port as quickly as possible. I had my friend call one of our mutual friends who were on board at the time to find out what happened. Apparently the crew were harassing one of their own and daring him to kiss the top of the main mast. To prove his ability to do it he gave into their childish hazing and made the attempt. Something went horribly wrong and he lost his footing and plunged 90 feet to the deck below. He landed right next to the group of pirates who were enjoying the cruise up until that point. Our friends came off the ship very traumatized.
The crew member's name is Lucas and he was visiting from Switzerland. He was an avid builder of ship models and wanted to experience what it was like to really work a tall-ship. He has no family in the US and is in critical condition... but I have no idea where he was taken for treatment. His injuries were extensive but from what I heard he was able to move his toes when the emergency crews asked him to do so to confirm any serious spinal injuries. Other than that he had a punctured lung, broken ribs and lots of internal bleeding.
If I find out any more information I'll post it here. Until then please keep Lucas in your thoughts.