Bungee cords are an essential part of this operation.

Look closely at these photos, and you’ll see two very interesting elements:

1) First, notice the straps on the back of the man working on the prow. That’s neither a construction vest nor a fashion statement: it’s a bungee cord –the same sort of thing that daredevils wear when they plunge from cliffs and bridges.

Now that’s a fun job!

Actually, this particular craftsman has no immediate plans to jump over into the Scioto River. Like everyone else who works close to the floodwall, he’s wearing the cord for safety.  It’s an efficient, unobtrusive personal safety device that offers extra protection and peace of mind while working on the prow.

Who’d think that a recreational gizmo would have such a practical use?

First the concrete mold, then the concrete.

2) You’ll also notice a linear wood frame creating a border around the workspace.  That’s actually a mold for the concrete prow. Just as cake molds and jell-o molds have a distinctive look, so do the forms for concrete structures. The planks work as an internal support for the smooth concrete curve.

Sure, pictures are worth a thousand words, but these photos gain their value when a few words explain their unusual features.

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