Lifeline Safety

[Peter Taylor]

Following the fatal man overboard accident in November 2017 during the Clipper round the world race the Marine accident Investigation Board has issued a safety bulletin ( https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/safety-warning-on-the-use-of-safety-harness-tethers-on-sailing-yachts ) concerning the use of the tether hooks on the end of Marine lifelines. In summary, if the lifeline runs under a cleat or similar bit of deck hardware so that, if you fall, the force on the tether-hook is not in line with the hook, it may give way so you are no longer tethered to the boat. They recommend checking where you tether yourself to, and making sure that sort of thing won't happen.

I must admit I've never liked the sort of hook they put on the end of marine lifelines since I find them clumsy to use. I prefer to use a screw-gate carabiner similar to the ones I used to use in my previous existence as a troglodyte (in the cave dweller sense!). However be warned that the type of modern carabiners used by rock climbers are probably not suitable for our purposes being made of light alloy which may not get on well with sea water. On Seatern I use the chunky marine stainless ones of the sort you can get from chandlers.

Peter

[Graham W]

Something like this?  http://m.seascrew.com/index.cfm?CARABINER-HOOK-LOCKING-RING-STAINLESS-316-MARINE-GRADE-&l=0000000481

[Peter Taylor]

Yes, sort of (the link doesn't work but searching for carabiner gets you there). The ones I use have an eye so they can't come off the line (e.g. http://www.baselinemarine.com/shopexd.asp?id=810 ) or as in photo below (which is old, nowadays I always use a lifejacket with crutch straps). The standard lifeline hook is the one that came with the lifeline, I prefer to use the others. The "D" ring allows me to park the tails out of the way when I'm not clipped on - it's a bit of caving gear (e.g. http://www.caving-supplies.co.uk/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/52120 ). Having two tails shortens the line so, touch wood, I stay on deck rather than being dragged through the water, and also means I can stay clipped on as I change the tether point. ( http://seatern.uk/2014/07/6th-to-8th-july-new-jack-stays/ ).

But... I accept no responsibility if you fall overboard and any of this stuff breaks!