Saturday 19 July 2008

The hammer and the aircraft carrier

An American aircraft carrier set sail from San Diego after a re-fit with a number of fitters still working on board. Three hours out one of the fitters reported that he had lost a hammer in an area which was potentially dangerous to the ship's operation and its safety.

The Captain immediately ordered the ship back to port, where after a fairly extensive search the hammer was found.

The punishment for the fitter? To be decorated for having the guts to own up to a mistake which could have badly damaged the ship. A good example of Think Risk, Smarter Decisions.

I don't think this is apocryphal, but I can't remember the original source. Let me know if you do.

No comments: