Yes that. It cannot be opened by a person while being dragged or suspended by their own weight. Its why you rarely seem them on tethers any more.
Jacklines for safety - where mounted?
- Thread starter vizwhiz
- Start date
Regarding quick release:
Regarding jackline stretch:
- ISAF does not require it, and you can bet they have debated this ad nauseum.
- Several major brands do not sell tethers with quick release.
- Have you ever had a spin shackle come off when you didn't want it to. I have numerous times, and we always thought it was secure. Maybe it was not locked correctly, but that happens in a hurry.
- Is a singlehander actually better off cut loose? I seriously doubt that, not offshore or in cold water.
- I like a connection I can manage one handed. If you have to disconnect at the harness end to clear a tangle, can you reconnect a snap shackle with one hand, in bad conditions? See number 3.
Regarding jackline stretch:
- Dyneema. Cover it in webbing for non-slip if you like, but some prefer it naked.
- Do go up in strength to 8600 pounds. Because of the the lack of stretch, the loads are higher. That means the anchor points too!
I'm gonna try that with the snap shackle used at the top of my spinnaker, very soon.
Dockside antics in Mexico!
So when do you cut the tether? If you are being dragged under water and about to drown? If you are solo is it best to cut loose and watch your ride sail away? I guess it depends on where you are at. In the middle of the ocean I believe I would stay connected and fight. This is the reason I want my tether to keep me on deck in the first place. I find some of those snap shackles hard to open even with no load. Maybe if it had a nice long lanyard tied to the pin to get a better grip?
This should be a drill similar to MOB. Tie off a line to the midship clip it to your harness and go over the side with your knife while underway, have a crew member at the line with a knife at the ready. It is going to be rough ride. You will be surprised how difficult it can be to keep your mouth and nose clear of the water while being dragged at sailing speeds. But there are effective techniques for managing the situation - you just have to practice them. If it goes FUBAR you need plan B - a serrated knife. Clipped to your harness or PFD belt.
Exactly. When do you cut? When swimming seeems better than drowning. The thing to remember is that there is no recipe for this. What you want is OPTIONS. And sometimes the best option is simply the least worst. As Gunni says, have your rescue knife always ready. Like the Spiderco Salt.
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Not to be cute, but...
I'm pretty sure there isn't a documented case of someone going over the lee bow and succeeding in cutting the tether with a knife. The reason, most probably, is that they didn't go over in moderate conditions, they went over when it was kicking, WAY to dangerous for a drill. Thus, I call BS, I don't think it is a real option. Or rather I'm pretty sure I could not do it. From the pics I've seen, keeping your head up to breath can be nearly impossible when the boat is rail-down. That is why they die.
A few have released.
There is NO reason to accept falling off. There is no "what if" for solo sailors. Start by accepting that in your heart.
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As for recovering a sailor caught in the bow wave, fully crewed boats have failed because it is a hard, dangerous pull. What I don't understand is why they would not clip on a long line, cut the tether, and pull the guy up the back. Much more practical. Get him out of the drowning zone as fast as possible. Even just cutting him loose may work better in daylight.
I'm pretty sure there isn't a documented case of someone going over the lee bow and succeeding in cutting the tether with a knife. The reason, most probably, is that they didn't go over in moderate conditions, they went over when it was kicking, WAY to dangerous for a drill. Thus, I call BS, I don't think it is a real option. Or rather I'm pretty sure I could not do it. From the pics I've seen, keeping your head up to breath can be nearly impossible when the boat is rail-down. That is why they die.
A few have released.
There is NO reason to accept falling off. There is no "what if" for solo sailors. Start by accepting that in your heart.
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As for recovering a sailor caught in the bow wave, fully crewed boats have failed because it is a hard, dangerous pull. What I don't understand is why they would not clip on a long line, cut the tether, and pull the guy up the back. Much more practical. Get him out of the drowning zone as fast as possible. Even just cutting him loose may work better in daylight.
The problem I have with a safety plan that probably won't work is that someone will read it and believe it might help, like a rope trailed behind the boat. Climbers refer to marginal anchors "psychological protection," and they are one of the leading cause of death. A climber takes a risk he shouldn't have because he convinced himself that the last anchor was better than the actual shite it was. He'd have been much better off accepting the cold reality of the situation.
There's nothing wrong with having a knife in your pocket. I keep another one in a pocket forward of the mast--it seemed like a good idea and it saves a trip now and then.
There's nothing wrong with having a knife in your pocket. I keep another one in a pocket forward of the mast--it seemed like a good idea and it saves a trip now and then.
OK, now you're talking a bout something else. My plan 'safety plan' is simple and involves using my smarts and know how to stay safe, and if not that at least alive. For as along as I can.
Keeping your head up to breath can be a challenge at 4 knots of boat speed on a warm summer day, that is why you need to practice a roll to your back and have the gear (knife) to free a tether if necessary. The attitude of the boat has no bearing on the process. People die because they panic, are unconscious, or cannot release their tether. Two of those outcomes are preventable with training, and the proper gear. Cutting your tether is a last option, you want to be able to stay with the boat if possible.
One other thing that has not been mentioned here is getting back on board with an inflated PFD. If you have an auto inflator you may need to slice the thing flat to self recover. When I single hand I often use a manual inflate vest.
Maybe the tether should include hand loops so you could pull yourself up and get your head out of the water and even climb back aboard. Being dragged by your waste seems like a good way to drown. At least grabbing a hand hold can get you on your back to breathe. Just a thought.
Well, I gave it a try.
Tied the shackle to the spin halyard, donned the jacket, hoisted myself on tippy-toes and cleated off the halyard, hanging my 170 or so pounds. Ow, my ribs! Gunny's right about the crotch strap...
I was successful in "cutting away" but it was pretty difficult. Pulling the lanyard with both hands in the line of piston operation, something that would likely be difficult in the heat of the moment. The shackle will whiplash and give you a red mark on your forehead if you're not careful.
I'm still going to use a shackle on my tether, but the knife will be the first option employed if it ever comes down to that.
Stay on the boat!
