Gary, thanks from me also for posting answers. Very
interesting reading.

Joe wrote:
Couple questions if ya dont mind.

Has anyone ever dove/fallen off your top spreaders?

Gary wrote:
I don't think so. They are about 60' up on the main mast.


Oh, c'mon. I've jumped off stuff that was higher than that.

The trick to jumping off spreaders is to set the boat
rocking first, so as to release at a point where your
trajectory is sure to clear the deck. I've jumped off
spreaders (smaller boats, lower down) and had the very
distressing feeling of the mast shoving back from my body
mass a lot more than I was moving forward, and wondering on
the way down if I was going to make a splash or a thud.


How old on average are the cadets/officers you train. Ranks?

They are normally junior officers and ratings that have just joined the
service they range in age from about 18 to 30. Typically A/SLt, Officer
Cadets and Ordinary Seamen. (An A/SLt is like an Ensign)