Going aloft

[clyst]

Using mast steps. What is the preferred safety arrangements ?? Do you just tie a bowline around the waist ,use a bosun chair , sailing safety harness or some other harness or just nuffin ? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[bazobeleza]

Definitely a bosuns chair as you can put all the kit you need in its pockets, its comfy to sit in if you are going to be hanging around on high for a while, even if you have steps its a lot more difficult to hang on and finish a job on steps alone.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Whatever YOU feel safe in. Few people would give you advice and face the litigation if it went horribly wrong. Common sense mate!!!!

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I use a sailing harness, clipping my tether as I go along, and once arrived I put in a very short clipping tether. The last rung has a partner on the other side of the mast so that I can stand with both feet level (more comfortable, less tiring). It also brings the mast head to shoulder level so that I can easily see what I am doing.

A spare halyard is used to haul up a soft bucket with the tools. A soft bucket cannot capsize. I also have most tools fitted with a loop of thin stuff through which I pass my wrist before taking them out of the bucket. That way they don't go walkabout.

This system works for me when single-handed; find out what you are comfortable with.

 

[whipper_snapper]

When safely alongside, I put a prussic knot around a halyard which is secured top and bottom so it stays tight, then clip into that and slide it up/down as I climb. It means you can work single handed.

But if the boat is moving about I prefer something a bit safer, ie someone on deck with a safety line round a winch.

Not that the prussic is likely to fail, but a big crash could leave you injured and unable to get down.

 

[MASH]

[ QUOTE ]
Few people would give you advice and face the litigation if it went horribly wrong. Common sense mate!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I suggest you go up barefoot after a beer or two with sungrease on your hands. No need to waste effort with safety ropes etc. If you fall off, try and sue me. Go on, waste your money, but try!

A little "common sense" about what you can and cannot sue for might help you out though...

 

[dolphin]

this weekend i went up the mast (climb a single rope as i dont have the steps) for removing shrouds and for safety, i use a separate line, secured on top before commence the climb, with prussic knot, sliding up and down as a back-up. once the work completed, for the down move, i abseil using figure 8 - great comfort and all time under control, and of course, the prussic knot for back-up!

 

[doug748]

Bosuns chair is fine, I use an harness clipped to a halyard with a climbers ascender. Whatever, you will need to keep the weight off your feet because it gets very uncomfortable.

 

[stuartwineberg]

If you are using a bosun's chair never use a halyard with a snap shackle - sometimes quick release is not what you need.

Also pick your friends - I spent a happy couple of hours up a 60 foot mast once whilst they went to the pub - jokers