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Deck Sailors Show George Washington Pride Through Navy Tradition
Story Number: NNS090712-04
Release Date: 7/12/2009 6:16:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charles Oki, USS George Washington Public Affairs
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) boatswain's mates and deck seamen found themselves a little more 'roped up' in their work than usual the week of June 22.
The Sailors were busy producing "fancy work," which is artistic rope work consisting of knots tied in a precise pattern around objects aboard ship.
Fancy work is commonly seen on flag staffs and railings throughout the ship but can also be used for lanyards, key chains, sheaths and other items used by deck department Sailors.
According to Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Larry Seesholtz, fancy work has been around since before the founding of the U.S. Navy. It was originally used as a means of protecting wood from salt water damage, but it also served as a way for Sailors to show pride in their ship through their unique designs.
Seesholtz said fancy work requires a lot of pride and patience on the part of the Sailor.
"It's not physically difficult, but it takes a lot of time. Anyone can do the same thing over and over again, but in order to motivate yourself to make something stand out, you need to have some pride, and you need to understand why you're doing it," said Seesholtz.
"Anyone can throw a line around a post or railing, but it takes pride to turn it into something great."
Deck department Sailors have spent hundreds of hours in the Western Pacific sun in order to complete work on the ship's fantail before the George Washington's first scheduled port visit of the summer deployment.
Seaman Nathan Long, a member of deck department, said fancy work represents not only the traditions of the maritime services but also the dedication and hard work of the boatswain's mates and seamen aboard George Washington.
"It's been about two weeks since we started, and so far it's turned out really nice," Long said. "Everyone has been working really hard to make sure it's finished before we arrive at our first port; and hopefully it's something the whole crew can be proud of."
For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/.
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