Dangers of climbing masts

[BobnLesley]

Speak for yourself. We had a helmet for mast climbing and on the occasion if we had an MOB and someone had to go over the side to help them. I'd never go up a mast at sea without one. A decent cycle helmet is better than nothing and if you carry bikes has dual usage.

Helmets should be part of all safety kit.

Jonathan

I've never used our cycle helmet to go up the mast - the risk's my dropping stuff on Lesley's head not my own - but definitely for going over the side in exposed waters; ours very possibly saved my life mid-Pacific - I was seriously concussed for >24 hours and still bear the scar. My method was to duck under the boat and rather than fight the helmet's floatation, allow it to pin my head against the underside of the hull; accepting the bumps, knowing that they don't have enough swinging room to hurt.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I've never used our cycle helmet to go up the mast - the risk's my dropping stuff on Lesley's head not my own - but definitely for going over the side in exposed waters; ours very possibly saved my life mid-Pacific - I was seriously concussed for >24 hours and still bear the scar. My method was to duck under the boat and rather than fight the helmet's floatation, allow it to pin my head against the underside of the hull; accepting the bumps, knowing that they don't have enough swinging room to hurt.

The risk is swinging in and banging your head against the mast, spreaders, whatever, which the helmet may mitigate against. Also, should you accidentally fall or partially fall when suspended, there is a risk of striking your head, again helmet use may mitigate against this. Wearing a helmet when working at height is not just about dropped objects.

There are very good waterspouts helmets, low cost, lightweight, easy to wear. Example water sports helmet.

 

[Concerto]

My 24" shallow-draught yacht is in that sweet spot where she may or may not actually capsize if I go to the top of the mast.

The one time I had to fix something at masthead, I ran the boat into an obliging mudbank first and got her firmly wedged in, then went aloft and did the job before the rising tide floated her off again. Held her nice and steady. Luckily the mast comes off every winter so I've never had to repeat the experience.

In early 1980's I had a Hunter Formula 1 extreme race boat. 22ft long with an 8ft beam designed by Stephen Jones. The main halyard had jumped off the top sheave and jammed down the side of the sheave. Very annoying as we were preparing for a race. There was not halyard to hoist someone to the top of the mast, so I took her alongside my parents 37ft yacht. Using their spinnaker pole we lifted the mast and lay it on my deck. The play was too great in the sheave box and the halyard could jam at any time. For a packer each side of the sheave we used the centres out of 2 plastic aerosol spray cans. Then lifted the mast back in place, but too late for the start.

 

[finestgreen]

My 24" shallow-draught yacht is in that sweet spot where she may or may not actually capsize if I go to the top of the mast.

Would it be feasible to just sweat a halyard on a pontoon cleat and bring the top of the mast down to you (?!)

 

[The Q]

Sadly at the sailing club I was at today, a couple of years ago a guy was killed, when the mast fell on him. This was a tabernacle mounted mast with its foot on the hog. Normally one man can raise the counterbalanced mast quite easily.

And during the 3 rivers race https://3rr.uk/ a few years back, while lowering a mast to go under a bridge one dropped and broke a ladies jaw.

I couldn't climb my mast, 23 ft of leverage with 100kg of me up top, would overpower somewhat , 150kg ballast on 3 ft of keel..

 

[Neeves]

I've never used our cycle helmet to go up the mast - the risk's my dropping stuff on Lesley's head not my own - but definitely for going over the side in exposed waters; ours very possibly saved my life mid-Pacific - I was seriously concussed for >24 hours and still bear the scar. My method was to duck under the boat and rather than fight the helmet's floatation, allow it to pin my head against the underside of the hull; accepting the bumps, knowing that they don't have enough swinging room to hurt.

You are the first person to recount using a helmet in anger - apart from those on racing yachts. But cutting rope of a prop - perfect opportunity.

 

[Neeves]

On addressing an issue at the top of a mast of a smaller yacht - dry out against a hard wall, lash the mast to an immovable object - and. then use the halyard or a step ladder. If you have friends with large MoBos similar solution.

If you are a cruising couple with bikes you will need, in Australia, a helmet each. Cheap ones are better than none. You don't want a helmet with a peak you have to crane your neck right back to see the top of the mast.

Jonathan

 

[Boathook]

A few years ago, there was a story going around about a couple doing an Atlantic crossing. The man climbed the mast for some reason, hooked himself on, and then had a heart attack and died. The woman had to sail the boat for another couple of days until rescue, with her husband's body swinging around at the masthead!

I knew of someone who did that in the channel. Wife had to motor to Portland I believe, before that could get the body down. Post mortem showed that he died instantly so didn't suffer unlike his wife.