PERSONALIZING SAFETY GEAR

It is probably a coincidence that an article on how to replace lifelines appeared in the same issue as one on how best to stay on board ( Staying Aboard Is Best and Highly Strung, April 2019).

Lifelines are ludicrously misnamed, as they are designed to be at precisely the correct height to tip the average person over the side, and so at 6ft 3in I have absolutely no chance, regardless of what they are made from.

Before starting our circumnavigation safety was our primary concern, and so we installed jacklines along the deck on both sides. It was then I realized that these did nothing to stop me going overboard. Certainly I would still be attached to the boat, which is infinitely preferable to bobbing in the wake, but I would be in the water facing an almost impossible task of getting back on deck. Staying on board seemed to be the better option, so I rigged chest-high lines from stern arch to center shrouds to pulpit on both sides.These provided a real sense of security, stopping us from falling over the side, as well as being simpler to rig and use than jacklines. Clip on at the stern, quick unclip and reclip at the center providing a clear run to the bow, with both hands free at all times.

As Charles Doane said in his column, “Safety isn’t just gear, it’s also a state of mind.” My state of mind was much improved by knowing that my wife, son and I were being kept safely on board. Besides which, the safety lines made a great place to hang washing while in port! This is a photo of my son, Ryan, and me clipped on in mid-Pacific.

— Laurie Pane, Brisbane, AU, and Marina Del Rey, CA