MAKING THE CAPTAIN WALK THE PLANK By Sakwiba Sikota In the first scene of the drama the ship is heading through very choppy waters and requires a captain with immense skill to stop it from sinking. The captain also has to command enough respect from the members of the crew, which was probably chosen and put together by someone else, to ensure that he does not face a mutiny at sea. What does not help is if the Captain does not have the authority to make any mutineer walk the plank. It also becomes difficult for someone who has been a deputy captain who has never been allowed to command the ship to suddenly find themselves acting as captain of the ship when the boat has drifted into very unstable and strong currents of uncharted waters. Every seaman will tell you that your life and safety of the ship depends on every member of the crew doing their bit to ensure safe passage through the stormiest of weather. It does not help if the crew members feel that the acting captain is not qualified to safely get them to dry land. It is such feelings that led to mutiny on The Bounty. Feelings of terror make any crew even more agitated and this is exacerbated by a fear that one may soon find themselves toppled out of the comfort of the boat into the icy waters filled with hungry circling sharks. If in a small lifeboat trying to make it to the safety of dry land, all it takes to capsize the boat is to have one fat crew member start to rock the boat. As others try to steady the boat it becomes more unsteady and starts to take in the swirling stormy waters. The result is inevitable in that the boat is bound to capsize. They do say, Loose lips sink ships. What were whispers of discontent expressed after tongues were loosened by the imbibing of exotic wines, or indiscreet whispers into the ears of another in the comfort of some dimly lit hidden salon or boudoir, soon become shockingly bellicose whilst mouthing of open dissent in public. The people in the boat soon forget that their destiny and fate is intertwined and their rocking of the boat will soon make them snacks for the sharks. In such a situation you may soon find the crew making the captain and his A-Team walk the plank whilst a small axe is used to cut them off.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:29:15 +0000
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