Life Sling and Carabiner

[lehighsail]

Has anybody ever considered attaching a snap carabiner to the end of the lifesling line so it can be attached to a halyard shackle in case of emergency to winch a MOB back into the boat? Since I will probably be the one overboard it seems this would be a good way for my first mate to quickly act without having to tie or untie a knot. If this is a common thing, what material and size would you suggest for the carabiner?

 

[Ross]

Go to an outdoor outfitter and look over the rock climbing gear. For this you don't want hardware store junk.

 

[RichH]

Use your safety lanyard ... the one you use on your jacklines to keep your body on your boat.
A tether with a "Wichard Safety Hook" is probably the best - self locking, stainless steel and powder coated ... although a bit small. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...2?&cid=chanintel&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=23962 but shop around for better prices. Such a 'safety hook' has a high learning curve to be able to use well and 'fast'; but, it wont 'suddenly without warning - release' if the line gets twisted around it. Good value for an instantly locking 'hook'.

Carabiners without safety lock can easily release from the line if they get twisted in the line. In a 'rescue scenario' you dont have time to 'screw down and lock the gate of a carabiner'; so, your should consider a 'self locking' type of carabiner or safety hook similar to the Wichard.
Specialty 'rescue carabiners' are similar but are larger and much more expensive; plus, you can 'double duty' the Wichard hook: safety harness tethers, safely picking up mooring lines, etc. etc. etc.

 

[chuckwayne]

The lifesling itself has rings to attach to a halyard or whatever-you don't need to do anything special. Also, they sell a block and tackle to use for exactly what you're trying to do- We have ours set up to attach to the end of the boom, and it gives the hoister a 6:1 mechanical advantage.

 

[Roger Long]

The lifesling itself has rings to attach to a halyard or whatever-you don't need to do anything special.

I put a snap shackle on the bottom of my split backstay adjuster tackle. I keep a short extension line in the seat locker with a snap shackle and another short line to quickly lash the backstay adjuster up to the heart plate where the three backstay legs come together. This gives me a powerful tackle and it's lifting right up alongside the boarding ladder so someone can go down to help click on to the person in the water and assist them up.

The boarding ladder is secured with a Velcro strap and I trail a light line with a loop. If I fall overboard while alone at anchor, I can pull on the line to deploy the ladder.

 

[Thinwater]

Locking biners can save you from locking onto a spreader too!

I witnessed that occurrence when a non-locking biner was used on a halyard.

If you use rock-climbing hardware on a boat beware of corrosion; keep them well lubed or the salt will lock them up in time - particularly the lockers.