Lifelines III
 

Double BOO!!

Right, a time and place, and at night and offshore is a place for
attachment. No one said any thing about a person in the cockpit, only going
forward in the dark. When we started this point, jax said nothing about calm
weather either. Have you slipped at the dock? Don't tell me there haven't
been times when you have grabbed a shroud or stay to catch your self, even
in calm weather, say catching another boat's wake, perhaps one you didn't
see? I was just reading an article in lattitudes and Attitudes on rogue
waves, they can come at any time.
OzOne wrote in message ...
On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 00:58:38 -0500, "The Carrolls"
scribbled thusly:

If you are trying to tell me that offshore and at night foreward with no
attachment to the boat is a safe practice reguardless of sea conditions,
you
are fool hardy. I don't always use a lifejacket when sailing, but I will
never tell any one that is a safe practice(no jacket). I am a tinsmith, I
work setting decking on high steel buildings, I am certianly able to
walk
things such as a boat deck with out falling, most of the time, I have
slipped in bothbuilding steel and boat decks. Accidents and unforseen
circumstances happen. yes, I have been foreward too at night with no
attachment or jacket, BUT, I would never call it a safe practice on a
small
vessel underway. Drop into the calm and come up under that small swell
dropping the boat, on your head. Hit something unseen in the water,
either
with the boat or your head, and you have a problem. We have no business
telling a new person to our sport that it is a practice they should be
comefortable with, let them find out for themselves.

Yep, offshore forward in calm conditions at night is perfectly safe
provided you don't have sleepy heads in the cockpit.

Honestly the chances are much better that you'll be hit by a London
bus in NYC crossing the road under a full moon.

I'd never say it's 100% safe, nothing is.
I've had two harnesses fail in heavy weather when I've dropped off and
am very very lucky to be alive. I don't put the faith in them that
many do and use the same caution with and without.

We wear lifejackets in the Etchells when racing in moderate breeze and
my bow uses a harness when it gets real big. I wouldn't ever dismiss
the extra safety of a harness but there is a time and place for
everything.


Oz1...of the 3 twins.

I welcome you to crackerbox palace,We've been expecting you.

Lifelines III
 

rogue waves can come at ANYtime, eh?

sure.

Triple BOO!!

I was just reading an article in lattitudes and Attitudes on rogue

Lifelines III
 

You're unsafe walking down the street.

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
dum-dum, you know *your* limitations, i.e. that *you* are unsafe walking
on a
flat deck in calm conditions without falling off, but your ego is such
that you
insist the rest of the world has the very same limitations. The rest of
the
world does not. Sorry to tell you this, but the fact that you can't ride
a
bicycle no handed does not in any way change the fact that millions of
children
learn to do so every year.

There is nothing inherently dangerous about the foredeck on a boat. There
is
only dangerous walking on the foredeck. There are times when it is a
piece of
cake and other times when caution is required. That *you* can't tell the
difference is not my limitation.

All you show here is inexperience with safe practices, good seamanship,
and
you are a hazard to newbies who might mistakenly believe you know what
you
are talking about. The practice you have described here is inherently
UNSAFE.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
at night, offshore and in utter safety. As much safety as if I were
walking
down 5th Avenue in NYC at 10:00 at night.

maybe *you* wouldn't be safe on a deck at night -- offshore OR
coastal --,
but
you know your limitations better than we do.

Please don't claim that because *you* can't walk on a deck without
falling
off
that the entire rest of the world can't either.

From: "The Carrolls"

At night, offshore? No you haven't, you may have been lucky but not
using
safe practices, there fore not in utter safety.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
jonny, you stupid, clumsy, spastic clod. I have gone forward at
night
offshore
to change headsails without a harness or jackline in utter safety.
You,
on the
other hand, would fall overboard.

Yep... it's better to have two (one short and one so you can stand)
for
rough conditions. As you say, jacklines in sections is the ticket.
Also,
don't forget the instruction to the crew. For example, when off
shore,
the rule was that you must be hooked on when you exit the cabin at
night. During the day, this is true only in rough weather.

I have the SOSpenders with the integrated harness. Why do you think
a separate system is better?

"Michael" wrote in message
...
I mentioned earlier that the lifeline is only one integral part
of
the
system and then included stanchions and Doug brought in the issue
of
stanchion bases. Finally we mentioned jacklines. But's thats'
not
all
of
it.

A word on harnesses and tethers. Again this is of interest only
for
those
who go where they are needed, or those who need them regardless
of
where
they go.

Tethers. I was tempted once upon a time to use one long one.
Then
I
had
occasion to test what it was like to be dragged alongside a self
steering
boat and try to get back on board. Not a pretty picture. No it
wasn't
an
accident it was a tested conducted at speeds from one to seven
knots.
Based
on that days work we came up with the following:

Use short tethers. That coupled to a centered jackline will keep
you
from
going over.

Use two tethers in heavy weather. Snap in to the next section of
jackline
before unsnapping the first one. In the worksite use both.

Use snaplinks that are positive locking. The best one's don't
come
from
the
marine stores. Go to a store specializing in gear for blue
collar
folks.
My personal favorite isWork Wear in Lynwood WA.

Harnesses. The SOSpenders and the stand alone harnesses are
neat,
comfortable and do the job PROVIDING they don't pop open. The
kind
with
the
buckle that goes through an opening sideways then falls into
place
is
not
worth the money. On our fullharnesses we use the kind where the
chest
and
leg straps are a sturdy belt buckle arrangement or a positive
snap
link
with
safety release arrangement.

For going aloft or for veryheavy weather I use the industrial
kind
withtheleg straps. On these the tether goes in the middle of the
back
or
to
two chest rings. For standard work around the boat I had my
comfortable
chest only harness modified with positive snap hooks to ensure it
wouldn't
come undone.

This sort of gear also makes it easy for other crew to get you
back
on
board
or lower you down from an aloft worksite.

Stay away from the belt only kind for deck or going aloft
purposes.
These
are banned from commercial ships anymore. Sudden falls to tether
end
save
the sailor from going over but damage the spinal cord severely.

When choosing your gear keep this in mind. No one is going to
show
up
in
a
few minutes when you are way out there. What you have with you
is
all
you
have. Tools not Toys. And those who choose to use none of the
above
won't
be out to help you either.

M.

Lifelines III
 

Mighty intellegent reply there bud.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
Double BOO!!

Right, a time and place, and at night and offshore is a place for
attachment. No one said any thing about a person in the cockpit, only
going
forward in the dark. When we started this point, jax said nothing about
calm
weather either. Have you slipped at the dock? Don't tell me there haven't
been times when you have grabbed a shroud or stay to catch your self,
even
in calm weather, say catching another boat's wake, perhaps one you didn't
see? I was just reading an article in lattitudes and Attitudes on rogue
waves, they can come at any time.
OzOne wrote in message
...
On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 00:58:38 -0500, "The Carrolls"
scribbled thusly:

If you are trying to tell me that offshore and at night foreward with
no
attachment to the boat is a safe practice reguardless of sea
conditions,
you
are fool hardy. I don't always use a lifejacket when sailing, but I
will
never tell any one that is a safe practice(no jacket). I am a
tinsmith, I
work setting decking on high steel buildings, I am certianly able to
walk
things such as a boat deck with out falling, most of the time, I have
slipped in bothbuilding steel and boat decks. Accidents and unforseen
circumstances happen. yes, I have been foreward too at night with no
attachment or jacket, BUT, I would never call it a safe practice on a
small
vessel underway. Drop into the calm and come up under that small swell
dropping the boat, on your head. Hit something unseen in the water,
either
with the boat or your head, and you have a problem. We have no
business
telling a new person to our sport that it is a practice they should be
comefortable with, let them find out for themselves.

Yep, offshore forward in calm conditions at night is perfectly safe
provided you don't have sleepy heads in the cockpit.

Honestly the chances are much better that you'll be hit by a London
bus in NYC crossing the road under a full moon.

I'd never say it's 100% safe, nothing is.
I've had two harnesses fail in heavy weather when I've dropped off and
am very very lucky to be alive. I don't put the faith in them that
many do and use the same caution with and without.

We wear lifejackets in the Etchells when racing in moderate breeze and
my bow uses a harness when it gets real big. I wouldn't ever dismiss
the extra safety of a harness but there is a time and place for
everything.


Oz1...of the 3 twins.

I welcome you to crackerbox palace,We've been expecting you.

Lifelines III
 

I could guessed that, even with the afore mentioned limitations.
"Jonathan Ganz" wrote in message
...
You're unsafe walking down the street.

"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
dum-dum, you know *your* limitations, i.e. that *you* are unsafe walking
on a
flat deck in calm conditions without falling off, but your ego is such
that you
insist the rest of the world has the very same limitations. The rest of
the
world does not. Sorry to tell you this, but the fact that you can't
ride
a
bicycle no handed does not in any way change the fact that millions of
children
learn to do so every year.

There is nothing inherently dangerous about the foredeck on a boat.
There
is
only dangerous walking on the foredeck. There are times when it is a
piece of
cake and other times when caution is required. That *you* can't tell
the
difference is not my limitation.

All you show here is inexperience with safe practices, good
seamanship,
and
you are a hazard to newbies who might mistakenly believe you know what
you
are talking about. The practice you have described here is inherently
UNSAFE.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
at night, offshore and in utter safety. As much safety as if I were
walking
down 5th Avenue in NYC at 10:00 at night.

maybe *you* wouldn't be safe on a deck at night -- offshore OR
coastal --,
but
you know your limitations better than we do.

Please don't claim that because *you* can't walk on a deck without
falling
off
that the entire rest of the world can't either.

From: "The Carrolls"

At night, offshore? No you haven't, you may have been lucky but not
using
safe practices, there fore not in utter safety.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
jonny, you stupid, clumsy, spastic clod. I have gone forward at
night
offshore
to change headsails without a harness or jackline in utter safety.
You,
on the
other hand, would fall overboard.

Yep... it's better to have two (one short and one so you can
stand)
for
rough conditions. As you say, jacklines in sections is the
ticket.
Also,
don't forget the instruction to the crew. For example, when off
shore,
the rule was that you must be hooked on when you exit the cabin
at
night. During the day, this is true only in rough weather.

I have the SOSpenders with the integrated harness. Why do you
think
a separate system is better?

"Michael" wrote in message
...
I mentioned earlier that the lifeline is only one integral part
of
the
system and then included stanchions and Doug brought in the
issue
of
stanchion bases. Finally we mentioned jacklines. But's thats'
not
all
of
it.

A word on harnesses and tethers. Again this is of interest
only
for
those
who go where they are needed, or those who need them regardless
of
where
they go.

Tethers. I was tempted once upon a time to use one long one.
Then
I
had
occasion to test what it was like to be dragged alongside a
self
steering
boat and try to get back on board. Not a pretty picture. No it
wasn't
an
accident it was a tested conducted at speeds from one to seven
knots.
Based
on that days work we came up with the following:

Use short tethers. That coupled to a centered jackline will
keep
you
from
going over.

Use two tethers in heavy weather. Snap in to the next section
of
jackline
before unsnapping the first one. In the worksite use both.

Use snaplinks that are positive locking. The best one's don't
come
from
the
marine stores. Go to a store specializing in gear for blue
collar
folks.
My personal favorite isWork Wear in Lynwood WA.

Harnesses. The SOSpenders and the stand alone harnesses are
neat,
comfortable and do the job PROVIDING they don't pop open. The
kind
with
the
buckle that goes through an opening sideways then falls into
place
is
not
worth the money. On our fullharnesses we use the kind where
the
chest
and
leg straps are a sturdy belt buckle arrangement or a positive
snap
link
with
safety release arrangement.

For going aloft or for veryheavy weather I use the industrial
kind
withtheleg straps. On these the tether goes in the middle of
the
back
or
to
two chest rings. For standard work around the boat I had my
comfortable
chest only harness modified with positive snap hooks to ensure
it
wouldn't
come undone.

This sort of gear also makes it easy for other crew to get you
back
on
board
or lower you down from an aloft worksite.

Stay away from the belt only kind for deck or going aloft
purposes.
These
are banned from commercial ships anymore. Sudden falls to
tether
end
save
the sailor from going over but damage the spinal cord severely.

When choosing your gear keep this in mind. No one is going to
show
up
in
a
few minutes when you are way out there. What you have with you
is
all
you
have. Tools not Toys. And those who choose to use none of the
above
won't
be out to help you either.

M.

Lifelines III
 

As you are the one to start calling names, Asshole, what is so hard about
hanking on? You can't figure out the hook mechanism? I guess that must be
it.I don't do it each time I go foreward either, but at night off shore it
is certianly a prudent thing to do. If you choose to not hank on so be it.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
dum-dum, you know *your* limitations, i.e. that *you* are unsafe walking
on a
flat deck in calm conditions without falling off, but your ego is such
that you
insist the rest of the world has the very same limitations. The rest of
the
world does not. Sorry to tell you this, but the fact that you can't ride
a
bicycle no handed does not in any way change the fact that millions of
children
learn to do so every year.

There is nothing inherently dangerous about the foredeck on a boat. There
is
only dangerous walking on the foredeck. There are times when it is a
piece of
cake and other times when caution is required. That *you* can't tell the
difference is not my limitation.

All you show here is inexperience with safe practices, good seamanship,
and
you are a hazard to newbies who might mistakenly believe you know what
you
are talking about. The practice you have described here is inherently
UNSAFE.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
at night, offshore and in utter safety. As much safety as if I were
walking
down 5th Avenue in NYC at 10:00 at night.

maybe *you* wouldn't be safe on a deck at night -- offshore OR
coastal --,
but
you know your limitations better than we do.

Please don't claim that because *you* can't walk on a deck without
falling
off
that the entire rest of the world can't either.

From: "The Carrolls"

At night, offshore? No you haven't, you may have been lucky but not
using
safe practices, there fore not in utter safety.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
jonny, you stupid, clumsy, spastic clod. I have gone forward at
night
offshore
to change headsails without a harness or jackline in utter safety.
You,
on the
other hand, would fall overboard.

Yep... it's better to have two (one short and one so you can stand)
for
rough conditions. As you say, jacklines in sections is the ticket.
Also,
don't forget the instruction to the crew. For example, when off
shore,
the rule was that you must be hooked on when you exit the cabin at
night. During the day, this is true only in rough weather.

I have the SOSpenders with the integrated harness. Why do you think
a separate system is better?

"Michael" wrote in message
...
I mentioned earlier that the lifeline is only one integral part
of
the
system and then included stanchions and Doug brought in the issue
of
stanchion bases. Finally we mentioned jacklines. But's thats'
not
all
of
it.

A word on harnesses and tethers. Again this is of interest only
for
those
who go where they are needed, or those who need them regardless
of
where
they go.

Tethers. I was tempted once upon a time to use one long one.
Then
I
had
occasion to test what it was like to be dragged alongside a self
steering
boat and try to get back on board. Not a pretty picture. No it
wasn't
an
accident it was a tested conducted at speeds from one to seven
knots.
Based
on that days work we came up with the following:

Use short tethers. That coupled to a centered jackline will keep
you
from
going over.

Use two tethers in heavy weather. Snap in to the next section of
jackline
before unsnapping the first one. In the worksite use both.

Use snaplinks that are positive locking. The best one's don't
come
from
the
marine stores. Go to a store specializing in gear for blue
collar
folks.
My personal favorite isWork Wear in Lynwood WA.

Harnesses. The SOSpenders and the stand alone harnesses are
neat,
comfortable and do the job PROVIDING they don't pop open. The
kind
with
the
buckle that goes through an opening sideways then falls into
place
is
not
worth the money. On our fullharnesses we use the kind where the
chest
and
leg straps are a sturdy belt buckle arrangement or a positive
snap
link
with
safety release arrangement.

For going aloft or for veryheavy weather I use the industrial
kind
withtheleg straps. On these the tether goes in the middle of the
back
or
to
two chest rings. For standard work around the boat I had my
comfortable
chest only harness modified with positive snap hooks to ensure it
wouldn't
come undone.

This sort of gear also makes it easy for other crew to get you
back
on
board
or lower you down from an aloft worksite.

Stay away from the belt only kind for deck or going aloft
purposes.
These
are banned from commercial ships anymore. Sudden falls to tether
end
save
the sailor from going over but damage the spinal cord severely.

When choosing your gear keep this in mind. No one is going to
show
up
in
a
few minutes when you are way out there. What you have with you
is
all
you
have. Tools not Toys. And those who choose to use none of the
above
won't
be out to help you either.

M.

Lifelines III
 

Yeah, except we get to pick up the cost of the search & rescue.

"The Carrolls" wrote in message
...
As you are the one to start calling names, Asshole, what is so hard about
hanking on? You can't figure out the hook mechanism? I guess that must be
it.I don't do it each time I go foreward either, but at night off shore it
is certianly a prudent thing to do. If you choose to not hank on so be it.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
dum-dum, you know *your* limitations, i.e. that *you* are unsafe walking
on a
flat deck in calm conditions without falling off, but your ego is such
that you
insist the rest of the world has the very same limitations. The rest of
the
world does not. Sorry to tell you this, but the fact that you can't
ride
a
bicycle no handed does not in any way change the fact that millions of
children
learn to do so every year.

There is nothing inherently dangerous about the foredeck on a boat.
There
is
only dangerous walking on the foredeck. There are times when it is a
piece of
cake and other times when caution is required. That *you* can't tell
the
difference is not my limitation.

All you show here is inexperience with safe practices, good
seamanship,
and
you are a hazard to newbies who might mistakenly believe you know what
you
are talking about. The practice you have described here is inherently
UNSAFE.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
at night, offshore and in utter safety. As much safety as if I were
walking
down 5th Avenue in NYC at 10:00 at night.

maybe *you* wouldn't be safe on a deck at night -- offshore OR
coastal --,
but
you know your limitations better than we do.

Please don't claim that because *you* can't walk on a deck without
falling
off
that the entire rest of the world can't either.

From: "The Carrolls"

At night, offshore? No you haven't, you may have been lucky but not
using
safe practices, there fore not in utter safety.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
jonny, you stupid, clumsy, spastic clod. I have gone forward at
night
offshore
to change headsails without a harness or jackline in utter safety.
You,
on the
other hand, would fall overboard.

Yep... it's better to have two (one short and one so you can
stand)
for
rough conditions. As you say, jacklines in sections is the
ticket.
Also,
don't forget the instruction to the crew. For example, when off
shore,
the rule was that you must be hooked on when you exit the cabin
at
night. During the day, this is true only in rough weather.

I have the SOSpenders with the integrated harness. Why do you
think
a separate system is better?

"Michael" wrote in message
...
I mentioned earlier that the lifeline is only one integral part
of
the
system and then included stanchions and Doug brought in the
issue
of
stanchion bases. Finally we mentioned jacklines. But's thats'
not
all
of
it.

A word on harnesses and tethers. Again this is of interest
only
for
those
who go where they are needed, or those who need them regardless
of
where
they go.

Tethers. I was tempted once upon a time to use one long one.
Then
I
had
occasion to test what it was like to be dragged alongside a
self
steering
boat and try to get back on board. Not a pretty picture. No it
wasn't
an
accident it was a tested conducted at speeds from one to seven
knots.
Based
on that days work we came up with the following:

Use short tethers. That coupled to a centered jackline will
keep
you
from
going over.

Use two tethers in heavy weather. Snap in to the next section
of
jackline
before unsnapping the first one. In the worksite use both.

Use snaplinks that are positive locking. The best one's don't
come
from
the
marine stores. Go to a store specializing in gear for blue
collar
folks.
My personal favorite isWork Wear in Lynwood WA.

Harnesses. The SOSpenders and the stand alone harnesses are
neat,
comfortable and do the job PROVIDING they don't pop open. The
kind
with
the
buckle that goes through an opening sideways then falls into
place
is
not
worth the money. On our fullharnesses we use the kind where
the
chest
and
leg straps are a sturdy belt buckle arrangement or a positive
snap
link
with
safety release arrangement.

For going aloft or for veryheavy weather I use the industrial
kind
withtheleg straps. On these the tether goes in the middle of
the
back
or
to
two chest rings. For standard work around the boat I had my
comfortable
chest only harness modified with positive snap hooks to ensure
it
wouldn't
come undone.

This sort of gear also makes it easy for other crew to get you
back
on
board
or lower you down from an aloft worksite.

Stay away from the belt only kind for deck or going aloft
purposes.
These
are banned from commercial ships anymore. Sudden falls to
tether
end
save
the sailor from going over but damage the spinal cord severely.

When choosing your gear keep this in mind. No one is going to
show
up
in
a
few minutes when you are way out there. What you have with you
is
all
you
have. Tools not Toys. And those who choose to use none of the
above
won't
be out to help you either.

M.

Lifelines III
 

Great lakes
OzOne wrote in message ...
On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 17:09:19 -0500, "The Carrolls"
scribbled thusly:

As you are the one to start calling names, Asshole, what is so hard about
hanking on? You can't figure out the hook mechanism? I guess that must be
it.I don't do it each time I go foreward either, but at night off shore
it
is certianly a prudent thing to do. If you choose to not hank on so be
it.

Where do you sail?
Down here, much of our sailing is done in T shirts and shorts all year
around. Water temps don't often go below about 18C/64F and is often as
high as 27C/80F

Wearing lifejacket and harness in those conditions is bloody
uncomfortable


Oz1...of the 3 twins.

I welcome you to crackerbox palace,We've been expecting you.

Lifelines III
 

cooral, wearing a crash helmet and hockey goalie pads is the "prudent thing to
do" when walking down 5th Avenue to some people such as yourself.

I, however, don't have a problem falling over when I walk, so I don't wear a
crash helmet when I walk.

*you* know *your* limitations, but your limitations are not anyone else's.

As you are the one to start calling names, Asshole, what is so hard about
hanking on? You can't figure out the hook mechanism? I guess that must be
it.I don't do it each time I go foreward either, but at night off shore it
is certianly a prudent thing to do. If you choose to not hank on so be it.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
dum-dum, you know *your* limitations, i.e. that *you* are unsafe walking
on a
flat deck in calm conditions without falling off, but your ego is such
that you
insist the rest of the world has the very same limitations. The rest of
the
world does not. Sorry to tell you this, but the fact that you can't ride
a
bicycle no handed does not in any way change the fact that millions of
children
learn to do so every year.

There is nothing inherently dangerous about the foredeck on a boat. There
is
only dangerous walking on the foredeck. There are times when it is a
piece of
cake and other times when caution is required. That *you* can't tell the
difference is not my limitation.

All you show here is inexperience with safe practices, good seamanship,
and
you are a hazard to newbies who might mistakenly believe you know what
you
are talking about. The practice you have described here is inherently
UNSAFE.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
at night, offshore and in utter safety. As much safety as if I were
walking
down 5th Avenue in NYC at 10:00 at night.

maybe *you* wouldn't be safe on a deck at night -- offshore OR
coastal --,
but
you know your limitations better than we do.

Please don't claim that because *you* can't walk on a deck without
falling
off
that the entire rest of the world can't either.

From: "The Carrolls"

At night, offshore? No you haven't, you may have been lucky but not
using
safe practices, there fore not in utter safety.
"JAXAshby" wrote in message
...
jonny, you stupid, clumsy, spastic clod. I have gone forward at
night
offshore
to change headsails without a harness or jackline in utter safety.
You,
on the
other hand, would fall overboard.

Yep... it's better to have two (one short and one so you can stand)
for
rough conditions. As you say, jacklines in sections is the ticket.
Also,
don't forget the instruction to the crew. For example, when off
shore,
the rule was that you must be hooked on when you exit the cabin at
night. During the day, this is true only in rough weather.

I have the SOSpenders with the integrated harness. Why do you think
a separate system is better?

"Michael" wrote in message
...
I mentioned earlier that the lifeline is only one integral part
of
the
system and then included stanchions and Doug brought in the issue
of
stanchion bases. Finally we mentioned jacklines. But's thats'
not
all
of
it.

A word on harnesses and tethers. Again this is of interest only
for
those
who go where they are needed, or those who need them regardless
of
where
they go.

Tethers. I was tempted once upon a time to use one long one.
Then
I
had
occasion to test what it was like to be dragged alongside a self
steering
boat and try to get back on board. Not a pretty picture. No it
wasn't
an
accident it was a tested conducted at speeds from one to seven
knots.
Based
on that days work we came up with the following:

Use short tethers. That coupled to a centered jackline will keep
you
from
going over.

Use two tethers in heavy weather. Snap in to the next section of
jackline
before unsnapping the first one. In the worksite use both.

Use snaplinks that are positive locking. The best one's don't
come
from
the
marine stores. Go to a store specializing in gear for blue
collar
folks.
My personal favorite isWork Wear in Lynwood WA.

Harnesses. The SOSpenders and the stand alone harnesses are
neat,
comfortable and do the job PROVIDING they don't pop open. The
kind
with
the
buckle that goes through an opening sideways then falls into
place
is
not
worth the money. On our fullharnesses we use the kind where the
chest
and
leg straps are a sturdy belt buckle arrangement or a positive
snap
link
with
safety release arrangement.

For going aloft or for veryheavy weather I use the industrial
kind
withtheleg straps. On these the tether goes in the middle of the
back
or
to
two chest rings. For standard work around the boat I had my
comfortable
chest only harness modified with positive snap hooks to ensure it
wouldn't
come undone.

This sort of gear also makes it easy for other crew to get you
back
on
board
or lower you down from an aloft worksite.

Stay away from the belt only kind for deck or going aloft
purposes.
These
are banned from commercial ships anymore. Sudden falls to tether
end
save
the sailor from going over but damage the spinal cord severely.

When choosing your gear keep this in mind. No one is going to
show
up
in
a
few minutes when you are way out there. What you have with you
is
all
you
have. Tools not Toys. And those who choose to use none of the
above
won't
be out to help you either.

M.

Lifelines III
 

OZ said:=20
Honestly the chances are much better that you'll be hit by a London
bus in NYC crossing the road under a full moon

It happened to Scotty.....
--=20
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein