They consisted of a lightweight stainless steel blade with a rounded end, moulded into an orange handle with a lanyard attached.When stored, the blade was covered with a sheath in similar orange plastic, this being a fairly tight fit so as to be waterproof in storeage.
Those unfamiliar with the equipment would see an orange plastic cylinder, and might consider it to be some type of float or signalling device, not a knife.
True they don't look like your average knife but normally there is a big placard next to it showing a person severing the sea painter with it.
I see it largely as a failure of adequate training for the crew.
Regards,
Tom A.
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