life line hazard

[pcatterall]

i thought I would be a good boy and try to use my life line and jack lines when working on deck. My line is one of the double ones with a short and long line. I seemed to have a lotof problem with the lines getting in the way of my feet and catching on objects!
Are there some special techniques to use and should I have some sort of pocket to keep any line not in use out of the way?

 

[Conachair]

I use a grigri and a short line made from climbing dyneema. You still have a short length of spare line but doesn't get in the way as much as a second safety line. Though don't use a life jacket, use a lightweight climbing harness instead. Never tried it with a life jacket, should work OK though.

 

[rob2]

I've not used one of those double lines, but my technique is to ensure that the line is dragging far behind me and not around my ankles. Using it regularly will develop a technique that suits the way you move. When working and not paying attention to the line, I tuck a bight of the line up through the harness waistband to keep it out of the way but it will pull out easily once I'm on the move again.

Rob.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I usually keep tension on my safety line as I move about the deck and only release the safety line when I am at the work point. This technique raises the jackstay off the deck but it appears to keep the safety line free from feet and snagging points. I still hold on with two hands but one hand has the safety line lightly grasped. For example if I hold onto the shroud the safety line is trapped between the shroud and my hand.

 

[Seajet]

Top Tip re harness lines

I use a double line harness too.

I keep the line I'm not using wrapped around my neck / shoulders, though it has occurred to me this could have an unhappy ending if it got wrapped on something !

In heavy weather I always switch the lines as I go forwards, always staying connected ( "one hand for the boat" ).

I found pretty much by accident that having harness eyes just beside the mast proved a good idea, they're inboard enough to prevent one roaming too far overboard on a line, also it reaches to the cockpit and foredeck of my 22' boat from there, allowing people to clip on before going on deck, and to play with mainsail reefing, headsails or anchor.

 

[Wansworth]

Not convinced that being hooked on to a line running fore and aft will stop me going over the rail.Certainly I dont think I would be able to hoist myself back.On my "new" boat I am going to fit an exta hoop to grab hold off instead of the spray hood and then take two bars forward to the mast so I can hold on aka pilot boats.The Albin Vega has low stanchions but they have an advantage whencoming alongside.

 

[William_H]

Harness and lines

I think it is vital that you not be able to go over the side with harness and straps onto jackstays etc.
hence for boats of the size we mere mortals might own straps need to be short.
I don't sail in any way that needs a harness but I think I would be going more for a series of hard points near the centre line of the boat than using a wire down each side.
I guess in answer to the OP question patience and practice is what is needed. OP might need to consider using 2 short straps rather than a long and short. good luck and be careful olewill

 

[mawm]

If working on the foredeck attach the spinnaker halliard to your harness and one of the tethers to the lifeline. Give yourself enough length on the spinnaker halliard to allow you to work all around the foredeck whilst on your knees.

 

[Norman_E]

My Jackstay tip.

On an AWB with a short coachroof traveller, a jackstay shackled on to the mainsheet attachment point when sailing, with the other end attached at the base of the mast, and made just long enough to allow full traveller movement is very useful. It provides a safe place to clip on, with no possibility of being able to go overboard whilst still attached, which can be very dangerous because of the possibility of being dragged under.

An alternative is a vee arrangement, from one traveller end fitting, to the mast foot and back to the other end fitting.

I have tried the former arrangement, which worked well but was a stretch to clip on from the side deck close to the cockpit, and as the end fittings are very strongly attached to the boat I plan to try the latter arrangement next season. Either arrangement has to be detached in harbour if you want to open the big central saloon hatch, but I consider that only a small disadvantage.