Have GPS still get lost, Train your GPS to read your mind

A few weeks back I went on a road trip with my daughter and her friend. They were following me, the driving leader of the convoy, and they were in her car. The GPS was in their vehicle. Now in preparation for the trip I quickly gathered all of my maps and hotel confirmations. This was a last minute trip for them as I was scheduled for a conference in the Tampa area. Now I can get to Tampa with my eyes closed but getting around Tampa is quite another task. They girls decided to follow me down and go to the local high school championship game for the 8A title playoff. The team from our local area and actually my high school alma-mater, Fletcher High School, was for the first time in school history a part of the State Championship and in the highest classification. So it was a perfect plan as my daughter’s friend has a family member in the Tampa area just a few miles from the site of the big game, the biggest in Fletcher’s history. Although Fletcher’s opponent, Tampa Plant, had been in this situation before being the defending champions. So the girls come right after school to meet me and I am not ready to leave as I am still pulling up instructions to get to the field at Plant City. So the decision from Jacksonville to Tampa is whether or not to take I-4 probably one of the busiest interstate highways at least in Florida and especially during the holiday season mainly because of the main attraction to all world travelers, Disney. So I have my directions as we are going directly to the field and there is no time to waste, only time for one bathroom break to get to the game by kick off. So I decided to not take I-4 and go through the State on slower but more direct path to avoid the major traffic delays.
At our one designated bathroom break about halfway I instructed the girls to follow me, stay close and don’t lose me once we get into Tampa, by the way they had the GPS. My daughter’s friend plugged in the address of her family member and they were set and so was I because I already had my pre-printed instructions so if they did get separated there would be no issues we would get to the same location about the same time. So we make the trek on I-275 for about an hour with no problems. When we get to the junction of 75 and 275 there is a decision to make but I had it already made; go I-75 and connect to I-4 the dreaded highway but we were on schedule to arrive in time or at least that is what I thought. I branch off and they stay on I-275, there is no turning back. So I called them in frustration and asked what the heck they are doing not following me. They both replied on speaker phone, “the GPS told us to stay on I-275”. Of course my reply was, “we are supposed to stay together”. They asked should they turn around and I told them to follow that GPS since it is so smart and that my directions are probably taking me another way to the same location. Well I thought that I was on the “right path” to get where I was going, and I was, only there was one problem. After getting stuck in typical I-4 traffic delays upon making my connection I finally arrived at Plant City High School. The lights were on there was lots of traffic and I am on time. So I called the girls and asked, “are you guys here yet” They said “yes they were at her family’s house which is only a few miles down the road”. So I wait in the traffic for my turn to get into the parking lot thinking I should make it for kick off. I pull around and notice empty stands and the players on the field are not wearing football uniforms or should I say American football uniforms, they are wearing soccer uniforms! I inquire with a family walking in, “is this the Tampa Plant/Fletcher High football game?” The mother replied, “this is a soccer game I am not sure where a football game is being played.” In frustration I called the girls and ask my daughter where they are and they were at the “Football game” already. That is when it finally dawned on me that I made it to a destination but it was the WRONG destination. Although it was a similar destination by name and all along I had set in my mind that I was going to the “RIGHT” destination but my thinking was incorrect the whole time! The aunt of my daughter’s friend got on the phone and explained the game was at Tampa Plant NOT Plant City two very different locations. So I got the right directions, about 1 hour back in the direction I just traveled, on the other side of downtown Tampa. Now I am telling a very embarrassing story on myself to highlight the fact that we can travel down a path in our business life thinking that we are on the right destination path. We can have all of our goals laid out to a “T” and be extremely confident in where we are going and leave out one detail like the “Correct” destination and we will be totally off track. As with my story I had the perfect plan and arrived on time but I was at the wrong destination. The girls were just following the instructions from the GPS and I was following the directions from my trip map, only I had bad input.
Thinking of this illustration for this week’s newsletter I reluctantly decided to tell on my own blunder to help you with your business. I thought of how businesses approach their safety plans when it comes to fall protection and how they lay out a plan or course of action. Most companies take a relaxed approach that barely meets the guidelines for keeping workers safe when working in elevated heights. They don’t take this course of action because they want their employees to get injured or die while performing their jobs, but they merely do not have a clear destination in mind or a clear end game in mind. Maybe it is because the managers do not know how to designate a fall protection plan or they think it is too expensive and the budget cannot handle the necessary action plan for fall protection. Well I have just the plan for you if you were considering or have a need for fall protection in your work area. Consolidated Rigging has qualified personnel that can instruct a group on the right fall protection plan of action that fits YOUR specific requirements, not a cookie cutter plan, but a plan designed specifically for your work plan. Fall protection is one of the most growing concerns for employers in keeping their workforce safe and secure. We can help and all you have to do is call and arrange a day and time. There are many situations where workers are exposed, for instance, on top of a fuel tank, an airplane, or on top of a crane.
Recently, we solved a blaring issue where workers needed to access a large fuel tank to take various readings and the access point is on top of the tank which is about 9 feet off the ground and a rounded surface. These are optimal “fall” situations. Our experts evaluated the situation and formulated several options and finally settled on a solution that extended a horizontal lifeline permanently above the tank so a worker could access with the proper harness and SRL, do their work and get down to the ground safely. We did so all for a very reasonable price saving them thousands of dollars from other proposed options all while keeping them OSHA compliant. We look at all possible scenarios and try to offer the most cost effective solution. The user described it this way, “you guys did a great job and your offer was reasonable and fair” What more can you ask for? With over 200 hours and counting of certified training our fall protection team can and will find the right fit for your team.
Best,
John Raulerson

Monster Market Rally

Monster Market Rally!!
That was the headline yesterday on one of the national business channel line ups. At first I thought it was an advertisement for a monster truck rally featuring “Grave Digger” and the huge trucks on a course through Central Park and Wall Street. What better to clear Wall Street of the tents and occupiers than to have a monster truck rally right through their tent city? As funny as that picture is to me the headline “Monster Market Rally” was NOT an advertisement for a Monster Truck rally at all and I have to admit I was slightly disappointed.
The good news is that the Stock Market took a major surge upward almost 500 points! This is not only good news but GREAT news. Although the surge was in response to the IMF announcing that they will be easing credit limits in Europe with a possible backing from the Federal Reserve. Also, China has made moves to release their tight grip on their stock piles of cash they are amassing. All of this is good news for the American business as we need stable markets world-wide so we can continue to export our products and services as well. While this is not a political newsletter the economy does affect us all. Every day we hear in the news that this is a TOUGH Economy and these are BAD times and for many it is. But many companies the really astute companies see these TOUGH times as opportunities to grow. Some really smart companies are capitalizing on the cheaper prices and planning for the future. They are not waiting around for Congress to act for them to act they are investing in their companies by adding equipment that will make them more competitive and more efficient. Rather than retreating backward these entrepreneurs, the folks that make up the economy, are forging ahead and using these times as a springboard to CREATE better times for themselves, their employees and their clients.
One way to forge ahead in business is to invest in equipment that will make your operation run faster and smoother. One client of mine really gets that concept and has taken action to improve their work flow. By integrating into their work flow an intelligent lifting arm that has cut his work time in half. Not 5% or 10% but half. No longer will they have their employees manually lifting these heavy objects slowing the work flow, risking injury and hurting the bottom line. This client chose to ignore the negative news and forge ahead with his own game plan. They have taken a task that was a repetitive motion for the operator resulting in straining their muscles, joints and ligaments reversing the flow of work. Do you think that this made the employee/worker happy? Absolutely it did. They felt less exhaustion at the end of the day and much more satisfied with the double production that resulted from having the help they needed to get the job done.
If you are on the fence right now about investing in the growth of your business or workplace reconsider. Now is the time to invest in yourself and your business. Not to mention the fact that capital expenditures will be realized for 2011 and can begin the depreciation schedule if orders are in before the year’s end. A new overhead freestanding crane system or an Easy Arm jib with G-force technology would be the right fit for any operation that requires lifting. Whatever lifting challenge you face we can help. Check out a few solutions that we provided below in very different applications.

500# Jib Crane installed in tool room makes life easy

Easy Arm with G-force technology makes workers happy

David “Randy” Atkins

Thank you to all who have inquired concerning the well being of our friend and colleague David “Randy” Atkins. Saturday September 17th the call came in from Randy’s wife Edith that Randy had passed. While the news was shocking and devastating Randy had lived and suffered with the effects of Crohns Disease for many years. Many of you knew Randy just by speaking with him on the telephone. I have heard on many occasions that Randy has had relationships with clients or vendors for 15, 20, 25 years and the folks just “knew” Randy yet had never actually met him face to face. If you had ever spoken to Randy you can relate to what I am speaking of, Randy never spoke to strangers he always made you feel like his best friend. When you spoke with Randy he switched gears immediately and you were his only focus. Randy had an uncanny ability to make you feel so important to the conversation and always lent a hand to anyone in need.
Speaking from a personal standpoint; Mr. Randy as I called him, to which he would always reply “Young John or Brother John it’s like this…” Randy has been a part of my life since before I was double digits in age. To me Randy was more of a family member than a co-worker. He was a mentor, friend, confidant, & teacher. Randy was the still calm voice in any storm and never was confrontational to any-one. I can remember a recent time when a customer Randy was working with, building a custom boat lift sling, and bending over backwards to make sure that the working loads were correct and that the material was correct, the guy railed and screamed at Randy as if he were a dog, over a few dollars on the price. Randy calmly answered, “There are certain costs that we had to spend to make the item and the labor to fabricate the custom sling and that was the price.” The way in which Randy would relate and speak with people is like no other person that I have ever met. In fact it was extraordinary! You never heard a harsh word spoken from his mouth against any person or about anyone.
If you had ever spoken with Randy this time of year you would know every statistic for the BYU Cougars. Randy knew every player’s statistics and personal background. He would know where the player’s hometown was and how they played in high school. Randy was a big football fan and would always encourage my son Hayden in his football interests. Randy liked the honor code of BYU athletics and lived his life by the Honor Code of the Church in his own life. The evidence of His honor showed in Randy’s everyday life and personal walk in this world. Randy was a man of honor and principle and you could witness it in his daily life and walk. My father said this of Randy, “that man has more integrity in his little toe than most people have in their whole body.”
Randy was, as I said, a friend, mentor and teacher to whom I owe a great deal of gratitude. Randy will always be alive in the memory of our company and in each and every one of us at Consolidated Rigging who worked side by side with Randy for so many years. Randy will forever be in our hearts and minds.
If you never had the opportunity to meet with or speak to Randy you really missed out and for those that did I am most assured that you agree…Randy was truly one of the GOOD GUYS!

Randy Atkins & Wayne Armstrong in Savannah

Wayne & Randy on the bus to see Gladis Knight (no PiPs) at LDS in Sav.

With much Love and Respect
John E. Raulerson

Remembering Our Fallen!

Ten years ago today America endured the worst and most deadly surprise attack on our own soil in recent history.
There is not much to say really. Fox News did a wonderful job today and I am sure other outlets did so as well, in respect for the deceased and covering the new fountain/memorial. I especially liked the fact that they read every name of the deceased and let the family memebers read off the name of their lost loved one. What a heart-wrenching experience and it brings a tear to the eye of even the toughest guy. Our own Jim Meadows had the pleasure to work with the courageous Men in New York several months after the attacks. Jim has shared these (and more) photos with me, to share with our friends and family. A big thanks to Officer Caminero for sharing these photos and his story. I have not had the pleasure to meet you but Jim speaks very highly of your and the guys in your company.
After ten years the memory begins to fade from those of us not directly invoved, which is sad really we just are mere spectators with seemingly “no skin in the game” but we are all connected. We get weary and forget but the Men and Women that commited to “Do something” about the wrong that happened to US.
Pastor Mark told us today that he and his son were going on a fishing trip that Tuesday. His son was undecided as to his career path…but on September the 12th was mentally committed to enlist into the Marine Corps!! It is my goal to respect and honor each and every person that fell that day and the people that rose up to fight back.

First Responders Ground Zero

Officer Caminero

May God Bless us with the strength to continute the fight and not grow weary.

NEW OSHA Standards

Get Ready because the new OSHA fall protection standards are in effect as of June 2011 and the new compliance instruction for construction work was published December 2010.
This action was taken to reduce the amount of deaths that occur from work related falls. Primarily this action takes aim at residential roofing compaines who have seen a rise in fall related deaths. The new requirements actually points back to the original fall protection guidelines from 1995, known as subpart M OSHA 1926.500-.503.
Fall protection is required anytime a fall of six feet or more is possible. Opposed to popular belief, roof work is included in this standard. Traditional roofing methods of fall protection no longer apply; for example twenty five feet eave-to-ground height threshold or slide guards are not acceptable. If conventional fall protection is not feasible or presents a greater hazzard then a written “site specific” plan must be in place. OSHA instruction STD 03-00-001 which provided some flexibility for fall protection has been cancelled. The new standard will apply to employees engaged in residential construction work. This is defined as a home or dwelling being built with traditional wood frame construction materials and methods. The limited use of structure steel in a predominantly wood framed home would still qualify as residential construction. Residential construction employees conducting work six feet or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling. Depending on the particular activity, acceptable forms of fall protection include guardrails, safety nets, active fall arrest systems, controlled access zones, covers, positioning systems and warning line systems.
Consolidated Rigging has developed many different solutions to keep our clients safe while working in areas where falling was a risk. Recently a client contracted Consolidated Rigging to develop a fall protection system over an above ground fuel tank yard. The tanks were in an open yard with no attachment point except for clouds. After taking measurements and designing the proper solution we were able to complete a plan that allowed the workers to traverse the top of the tank and safely take the readings. Not only did we install a fall protection system but we provided training to the employees so they were able to use the system properly. Our main goal is to insure that every worker makes it home safe!

Special Labor Day Offer

Summer is winding down and fall is just around the corner. Labor Day is the gateway into this time of year which will be upon us very soon. Fall is my personal favorite time of year, football is back and the waves of heat will soon be replaced with cooler temps, relatively speaking as Florida never experiences the true fall season like our neighbors to the north. But any break from the 100+ temps is a break nonetheless.

As I reflect on the change of season a special offer came across my mind that I wanted to share with you. We at Consolidated Rigging are involved with many special lifting applications and solutions that we provide our clients. We design, build and put together systems that make work flows seem effortless. For years we have stayed on the cutting edge of lifting technology and offered the very best quality equipment available in the industry.

The team here has worked on a special lifting tool to perfection over the last eight years.  This tool is revolutionary in design harnessing the versatility and power unmatched by any tool pound for pound. Until now we have put this lifting power in a few hands and the reviews have outstanding. Listen to what a manager of a World-Wide crane builder had to say, “This by far has been the most useful tool in our tool box. It weighs in at a mere 10 LBS but can lift up to 1200 LBS with ease. It really saved our keesters on one job. The shear versatility alone surpasses any normal hoist on the market. I have recommended that our other branches get two for each service truck.”

The time is right to release this tool and what better time than Labor Day. It has been a phenomenal process to develop this product that can benefit the handy-man to the professional so later this week keep your eyes open for this special Labor Day offer!

NAVFAC P-307

NAVFAC P-307
When a national crane company contracted Consolidated Rigging to perform a crane inspection for a rig they recently sold to a ship and repair facility, they knew that the job would be done right! During the negotiation and quotation phase of the contract the crane company failed to realize that the crane would be working on US Naval Ships and would require a much more detailed inspection than originally planned.
Fortunately, the professional team at Consolidated Rigging and RRR Warehouse & Service were the right personnel for the job to get completed. A normal  inspection does not require the vast detail and LOAD Test that the Naval Specification requires, not to mention 360 degree rotation while under load. With that said, our team of professionals with many years of experience accepted the call to action without raising our bid price. We entered into a contract and as our motto goes “We get the Job Done”. Our team arranged the necessary live load weights of  180T and the appropriate rigging to make the lift. At Consolidated Rigging we have in inventory 1000 Metric Tonnes of certified test weights. We do not beleive in the water bag method. Who actually lifts 180T of water in the first place, nobody. When companies make that heavy of a lift, they are lifting steel or concrete! The process of filling water bags is expensive for clients as well as the dispensing of the water is equally expensive. We like to keep costs low for our clients.
There is no other company in the Southeast with the amount of certified test weights and the expertise to perform this type of inspection. So Call the professionals when you want the job done right and on budget!

Rigging the 180Ton Load

Rigging the Live Load of 180 Ton

Bruce Welch guiding the 360 deg. rotation

Give us a call at 904-765-7177 if you want the job done right!

The Proof Is In The Pudding!

Ever been in a working situation where you are required to lift repetitively?
Ever filled out an application that states “must be able to lift at least 50 LBS?”
Or maybe you are a boss and lifting over 50 LBS is a hiring requirement for employment at your work or business.
Lifting in the work place is a task that has taken on many different forms and restrictions. I remember many different variations of wall charts that demonstrated the proper form for lifting. You know the little round head “stick guy” that used to be on the door of the men’s restroom. The little guy is crouching over with his back straight and knees bent. “Stick man” made a beautiful picture perfect lift, with his hands perfectly positioned under the imaginary box and with no effort at all lifts with his “legs and not his back”.
These charts were great and can still be an important reminder to every worker; even working around the house. These charts have great residual value and bring awareness to anyone making a lift of substantial weight.
We employ all sorts of aids in the workplace to keep ourselves and our co-workers safe to avoid injury. Today we have video and other important tools to provide awareness of lifting safety in our work environment. We have safety Gurus that come to work sites to evaluate workflow processes and safety. The Federal Government along with State Government, provide regulations and standards designed to promote safe work environments.
These safety strategies, consultations and regulations are all well a good, however, in work environments the “Load” must get “Lifted” bottom line. Businesses can only stay in business when the product gets built, the truck gets loaded and the product gets delivered. This analogy may not fit every business of course but I believe my point is clear.
In many work situations, the lifting most often is going to be “repetitive” the weight may or may not be extremely heavy but the constant motion with any weight fatigues the muscle, joints and tendons. Over time this fatigue will lead to Burn-out, disability, or permanent bodily damage. These repetitive motions can be with, what seems like very little weight, like 70 to 90 LBS for instance. Weights that you would be able to lift easily in the gym for a very short 8-10 Reps. Over the course of 8-10 hour days, this becomes a “Game Changer” or a “Back Breaker”.
Recently, a client had a situation where they were lifting a fiber drum that weighed around 70-80 LBS max. The drum is filled with a dry material, then transferred to a rolling conveyer, and then “Lifted” manually from conveyer to pallet. The pallet is a few inches from the concrete floor so the lower back, arms, and hands strained to “direct” the weight from the conveyer on the pallet at different positions.
Once the pallet was populated with drums the operator must stack a second layer of drums on top of the first layer of drums he/she just loaded; stacking the drums 2 high at 70 to 90 Lbs “ALL DAY”
Problem: Repetitive Motion with Heavy Weight
Result: Injured workers, Lost Work Time, Lost Product Shipments, Unhappy Customers & Lost Revenue
Fortunately, “We Have The Lifting Solution!”
Suggestion: That they consider the “Gravity Defying” G-Force Intelligent Lifting Device!
Result: The G-Force Intelligent Lifting Devise performed Extraordinary!

We provided a Special Tooling attachment, which attaches to the rim of the drum, the G-Force performed all of the hard work. The basic human guidance allowed the operator to move at their same rate of speed and direct the load effortlessly to the desired position on the pallet.
Ergonomic Lifting Technology
• G-Force
• Easy Arm
• Basic Human Guidance
• Reduced Injury & Product Damage
• Vastly Increased Productivity
Benefits of the G-Force
• Intelligence & Ease of Operation
• Creates Versatility
• Higher Productivity
• Speed Controlled by Operator’s Natural Movement
RIT Ergonomic Studies Dept.
• Average 68% Increased Productivity
• Reduced Product Damage
• Average 51% Increase for Fragile Loads
• 2.5X Less Damage
• 78% Less Energy Expended
• 6X Less Force Used

Reducing Workforce Injury
• Aging Workforce
• Increasing Female Workforce
• Reduced Worker Fatigue
• Reduced Worker Muscle Strain
• Reduced Long Term Injury
• Reduced Worker’s Comp. Claims
• Reduced Lost Work Time
Listed above are just a few benefits of G-Force Lifting Technology and Zero Gravity Float Mode Lifting.
A wise man once coined the phrase “The Proof Is In The Pudding” Give Consolidated Rigging a call , I will show the proof, you too can have a personal demonstration of the G-Force. We pull right up to your site! You experience the Technology “hands On”, I have certified test weights, that’s the pudding!
Call for your demo today!
John Raulerson (904) 625-5526

Big Problem Big Solution!

When I was a young salesman a huge opportunity came my way which turned out to be one of the single largest projects and sale that I’ve personally closed. Way back when, ocean going tugs would, by industry practice, “dump” their used wire into the ocean once the wire had reached the end of its life span. After many thousands of miles of towing huge barges with these large diameter ropes the tugs would pay out the rope and let it settle at the oceans floor to dissipate and corrode.

As many “old” practices fade to black in the US, so did the dumping of used wire rope into the ocean. The practice was very practical as it saved the tug boat weight returning to port and got rid of no longer useable wire. When the tug landed at port they merely had to bring the new wire rope dock side and install the new wire onto the tug’s winch. Once installed the tug was back in business for another load.

The rope usually was and is a 2-1/2” diameter IWRC wire rope at around 4800’ in length close to 57,000LBS. The Coast Guard vessels would cruise up beside the tugs and see if the ship’s tow winches were full or empty with wire rope. The tugs typically had two winches on board one main and one back up winch. This was easy for the Coast Guard to visually check and see if the drum was full or empty. If the drum did not have wire the tug would get pulled over and slapped with a $10,000 fine for the infraction of dumping their wire into the sea. This was an extremely steep fine at the time; in fact it is a steep fine today. The fine would probably be $100,000 in 2011 dollars. $10,000 was certainly fines that tug companies wanted to avoid.

The problem with coming back to port with wire that was damaged or worn was the process of disposing of the wire shore side. The process involved cutting used 2-1/2” diameter wire in small 3’ sections so it could be disposed. The wire rope had to either be re-spooled on a large reel and taken to an offsite location and cut up or cut up on the dock. Cutting the wire on the dock would take up valuable dock space for week or months to perform this labor intensive task. Re-spooling the wire was a major job in and of itself not to mention cutting 3’ pieces off a reel is a two or three person job, the tug companies did not have this time.

The other problem was that my new friend and potential client, the tug boat captain, had no idea where he was going to get his new tow wire. I of course knew where to get the wire. One of my good friends in New York was the only company on the Eastern Seaboard that had that size wire rope in stock.

Another big problem was installing the wire on the tug in Miami. Miami is a huge source of supply and material TODAY but not so much in the late 70’s early 80’s. How were they going to get 57,000LBS and 4800’ of wire off their boat and install a new wire in a reasonable time frame? It is not a free ride being moored to a commercial dock, it costs mucho dineros!

The tug boat captain made me a deal. If you can get this wire off and take it away I will buy the wire from you. Great! I immediately sprang into action. My heart was beating fast this was my chance to shine. Remember this was a time before cell phones, email, text message and all the current instant communication tools. Yes we did survive and do business prior to modern technology. I went to a “phone booth” for readers who never experienced a phone booth it is a place where Clark Kent turned into Superman. That is exactly what I did, I transformed into a super man and changed the way tug boats change wires. First I called the “old man”, my Dad, JD Raulerson who survived WWII and the shipyards by “figuring” things out on the fly. JD and his close friend and WWII buddy got to work designing a never seen before “portable” reeling machine. The reeling machine was able to achieve 30,000 LBS of line pull. They designed this machine on the fly without engineered drawings,  just their brains and imaginations, they didn’t even have a computer!

The next call went to my friend in New York to make claim to the 2-1/2” wire. Gene said “sure Bobby we can help you out. I’ve never trucked a reel that size that far but we are on the job.”  As it turned out my friend miscalculated the load on the flat bed. The bed of two (2) trucks collapsed under the load of the enormous reel of steel rope. The flange of the reel stood about 8’ in height made of solid oak and the bed of the trucks caved under the pressure. After the second flat bed truck caved my friend in New York had to rent a “heavy haul” truck designed to haul machinery and obtain a special permit. Once loaded, the truck headed south to beautiful Miami.

Hearing all of this news made me break out in a heavy sweat. Would I be able to close this job? Would it all work out as I saw it effortlessly working in my mind? Time would tell. In the meantime my dad JD and his buddy were working around the clock fabricating their gargantuan portable winch. The questions rolled in my mind keeping me awake nights and on edge for countless hours. Would I be a laughing stock of the industry or a champion of innovation and design by necessity? 

Well I will give you the short version. JD and his buddy delivered the portable reeling machine and another large jack stand down to the docks in Miami. The wire rope showed up finally. Our guys attached the old wire to a reel stationed on the portable reeling machine and pulled the old wire off without a hitch. We “jacked” the new wire up on the other jack-stand and installed the new wire. We poured the new spelter socket onto the end of the wire and the tug was underway in a few days.

The tug boat captain was extremely happy that the job got done so quickly and efficiently. The tug was on to pull more heavy loads of cargo through the ocean and back to making money. We solved two of his largest problems at the time, he could not find the wire and we disposed of his old wire saving the company thousands of dollars.

Our guys in the shop were even happy as I let them cut the wire up on their own time and take to the recycle yard and keep the money. It took them around a year to cut it all up but they got it done. 

It has been over thirty years since this job but it still stands out in my mind as a huge milestone in the history of Consolidated Rigging. It was my first large sale and a monumental challenge that I thankfully came out victorious; I got some much needed sleep once that job was complete.

In the words of the late John Lennon “In life there are no problems only solutions”. That’s our motto at Consolidated Rigging. If you need help with your tug boat wire or any other rigging  give me a call.

P.S. If you call I still answer the phone M-F 5 days a week

Bobby Raulerson (President, CEO)

Correction

JD’s Birth year was 1923.