Fall arrester

[Rappey]

I use a Camp Goblin with a Mast Mate.

Very similar to the system I use. My mast ladder has aluminium steps rather than material loops and a troll rocker to slide up and down the safety line.

 

[thinwater]

I was told that impacted equipment due to the shock of direct arrest while on a fall would be sufficient to comdemn any harness, rope or lanyards even if they look all right. An incomplete answer. How much impact? Every rock climbing harness takes impacts multiple times every day, for years. In fact, the fall it takes to damamge a harness is more than you can imagine and is quite rare (over 1500 pounds--that will do damamge to you). Severe impacts are more common in industry, where workers use only a lanyard and not a dynamic rope.

I've got a few pieces of equipment from confined space work and for working at heights. All stiching looks good with no cuts or signs of abrassions; however I did ask if the equipment was condemned or just deemed old.

If the later I definitely would use it. If condemned I would get the knife and cut it to pieces to prevent anyone re-use it. Yes!

 

[Neeves]

Completely at odds with what the manufacturers say. It's not exactly an expensive item so seems sensible to follow their recommendation. Stitching absolutely does degrade, we all see that on boat stuff all the time. I wouldn't bet my life on jackstays not degrading so why would I do it for the sake of a £50 harness?

Our jackstays sit in the sun for 3 months, our harness is never really in the sun - as when used I'm its shade and it will be 'on deck' for maybe 2 hours. It suffers minimum abrasion, but our jackstays are on deck - continuously stood on. The jackstays have salt water thrown at them when at sea, which then dries. You cannot compare the life of a harness to that of the jackstays.

I would not use a stg50 harness.

Rope used for mast climbing (nor the harness) should never, ever, suffer a significant fall, that's why you have a second halyard in play. I quite enjoy mast work and have never, ever, had to rely on the second halyard.

When I'm working near one of the spreaders or the crane I'm not supported by the halyard, I'm sitting in the bosuns chain (still wearing the harness and it is attached to one halyard) but the chair is attached to the spreader or crane using a strop.

Jonathan

 

[thinwater]

I think most sailors would weep if they saw what rock climbing gear endures (abrasion) and the whippers (long falls) taken while working a new route.

I've never slipped on a mast. Can't imagine why I would; there are either steps or you are ratcheting your way up. And If I didn't trust the halyards (very important), I would use a Prusik around the mast as a safety. It will hold. Heck, you can climb a mast (not rope) with Prusiks--I've done it.