Tether trials

[ben_m]

Hi All

Here's a video on our trials with tethers, to accompany the article in the Summer 2012 issue of PBO, on sale today. Following the MAIB report into the tragic drowning of the skipper of Lion last year, PBO conducted some trials with safety lines, to find out what happens if you go overboard while clipped on - and how easy it is to recover a tethered MOB.

 

[JimC]

Good video but would have been better without the irritating 'music'.

 

[Spyro]

tethers are fine when there are others onboard but t begs the question, if you're sailing solo under sail and on autohelm/tiller pilot would you stand more chance of survival not being tethered. I certainly don't fancy the idea of the boat sailing on with me in the water being towed at 5 or 6 knots. I think I'd prefer my chances without a tether and having a waterproof handheld vhf with me.

 

[rob2]

Scary stuff and hard work - even in such benign conditions. It made me think that we probably tether ourselves to the wrong place on the boat! It looks like a great argument for shorter tethers to a lifeline down the centreline of the boat - I don't reckon on surviving that sort of treatment, I reckon the dummy was in better shape than I would be.

Rob.

 

[testmonkey]

Would this one be a good option... harness clip that can be opened under load. WEST MARINE
ISAF-Specification Double Safety Tether

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...38_-1____ProductDisplayErrorView#.T-MLf1Jqxv8

 

[testmonkey]

also - how about using lifeline lashings to ensure ability to quickly lower lifelines? This could help in MOB recovery as with a single pass of a cockpit knife you could bring lifelines to deck level, and afterwards with a piece of lanyard fix it back up. Also an interesting post here http://setsail.com/life-line-lashings/#comment-6317

"In 1983, when we got our new Vindo 45 (33 ft.) it had lashed lifelines as required by the Swedish department that certified boats there. This “requirement” came out of things “learned” during the 1978 Fastnet race where many boaters had difficulty launching their life rafts in high seas over the life lines."

Lashing could appeal to practical boat owners also since it would be cheaper than a bottle screw... albeit should be replaced annually.

 

[prv]

Would this one be a good option... harness clip that can be opened under load.

That's what I have. Seems to be standard in the US but uncommon over here. It's a judgement call whether you want the option of punching out under load, or the security of knowing you can't be released accidentally.

Pete

 

[dylanwinter]

frightening - really frightening

an excercise well worth doing

frightening film - especially for the single hander

I think even in the slug with its slow speed and low freeboard if Ray(marine) was on the helm then it would be impossible to get back aboard without help

I have only ever slipped once

that was a flat calm at anchor up creek - doing some varnishing

slippery rail - bare feet - managed to catch myself before I got too far over

don't even weant to think about falling overboard at sea

I think that you would spend a better chance of surviving if you went overboard with the dry suit on an epirb in your pocket

D

 

[lw395]

an excercise well worth doing

frightening film - especially for the single hander

I think even in the slug with its slow speed and low freeboard if Ray(marine) was on the helm then it would be impossible to get back aboard without help

...
D

Do you worry about this enough to do the old trick where a cord is trailed behind the boat?
Pull hard on the cord and it disengages the tiller pilot.

Personally, I use a tether to reduce the risk of going over the side.
I accept the fact that if I go over the side out at sea, I stand a good chance of dying.
Same as if I get it badly wrong on my motorbike or fall down a mountain.

 

[Spyro]

Scary stuff and hard work - even in such benign conditions. It made me think that we probably tether ourselves to the wrong place on the boat! It looks like a great argument for shorter tethers to a lifeline down the centreline of the boat - I don't reckon on surviving that sort of treatment, I reckon the dummy was in better shape than I would be.

Rob.

What I usually do if I have to go up front I tend to clip on to the jack stay on the high side assuming that if I'm going to fall it will be on the opposite side.

 

[Roberto]

I have sailed singlehanded outside of VHF range during the past few months, my lifelines run in a Y pattern (two legs from the cockpit sides to the mast, one from the mast to the stemhead). When I am clipped on with a short tether, it is basically impossible to fall outside the boat, which I think essential, otherwise better not bother with being clipped on while swallowing the whole Atlantic.

After having used one of the usual tethers with two lines, a few thoughts which led me to make my own tether (as soon as I have the correct shackles), which of course will not be type approved :
One of the two tether line is very short, I made it about 60cm long, fixed length (without shock cord inside). It is about the correct length while I crawl from the cockpit to the mast, or mast->bow. If the lifeline does not break, with this length it is impossible to fall overboard anywhere.

The other line has the elastic inside, at rest it is about the same 60cm long, when stretched goes to 120cm. I can pass it round the mast and be able to be at the right distance while winching for reefs for example. Also, while I am clipped to one of the cockpit chainplates, it gives me freedom of movement to operate the pilot (commands are near the stern), the winches (forward end of cockpit) and the genoa furler line without having to unclip. It is useful for example when sleeping (I sleep outside on the cockpit seats): I remain clipped, when suddenly woken up by un unhappy boat, say by gusts or similar, I can handle things while still being attached to the boat and half asleep.

I made the two lines with different colour tubular webbing, one white and one blue, as with the previous tether when I looped it I often got confused as to which one of the two lines was attached, which is not recommended when one clips/unclips .
At the end of the short line I'll put a Wichard blue safety shackle, at the end of the long line a similar Wichard safety shackle but the one that -sort of- glows at night.


Any other suggestions for the perfect tether before I make mine ?