Qualifications.

It's official. Tomorrow, I will be a qualified "Rigger". In order to give commands to a crane operator here in the shipyard, you must be "rigger qualified".  I've been spending most of this week with a woman named Anita.  She is a nuclear re-fueler, the same as myself, but she also doubles as a rigging instructor.  To be honest, it's really not that hard of a program.  The only tricky part, is knowing what deficiencies to look for during normal crane operation.  You are supposed to have your trusty "Crane Riggers Handbook" with you ANY TIME you do a lift. Everything you need to know about rigging a job is in it.  From finding the angle of the lift, to determining area, volume, or weight of the load. We have also been over the different hand signals, and crane protocol used when making a lift. Here is an example of crane protocol in the shipyard

Me: Crane operator! On my command, I need you to hoist up on the load
Crane: I have located the hoist up button, and I will hoist up on your command
Me: Proceed.
Crane: Hoisting up!
Me: *Blows Whistle* HOISTING UP! ALL EYES ON THE LOAD! *Blows Whistle*

For EVERY single movement of the crane..we use this protocol.  It makes for some VERY long days, but it cuts down on alot of accidents. The last thing you want to do, is have an accident involving nuclear fuel. Tomorrow, I will have to demonstrate that I can tie a square knot, a bowline knot, a clove hitch, and a series of half hitches. Too easy. After the knot tying demonstration, I have to give Anita the proper hand signals that she asks me for. Once that is completed, I'll rig to a load, and perform my first lift.  After I complete the lift, I'll receive the coveted "Orange Ball" for the top of my hardhat.  All it is, is a round sticker that you place on the top of your helmet. Woo hoo. The way I look at it is, the more qualifications that you have, the more valuable you are to the employer. I need this job, and I need this money. Keep the schools coming Northrop Grumman.