Elevated decklines

Much safer, simple to use.

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Common knowledge about deck lines

Use: they allow moving on deck with a harness tether.

Resistance: deck lines must have a rupture load ~ 2 tons (20kN), and each anchoring point ~1 ton (e.g. ISAF).

Material: generally webbing (strap): flat, easier to step on.

Placement: generally flat on deck.

Circuit: depends on the anchoring points installed by the boat builder. Generally in the pathways.

Consequences of a classical deck lines installation

1) Deck lines are close from the water and allow falling overboard.

Try it on your own boat.

2) There are on the ground which corresponds to the most dangerous type of fall.

In work at heights, there are 3 types of falls:

safety line above the head: falls of type 1, low risk.

safety line above pelvis: falls of type 2, medium risk.

safety line at the level of ground: falls of type 3, high risk.

Solution: deck lines elevated 30cm or more and centered

Advantage: allow to tie oneself very short, virtually no way to go overboard if the deck line holds.

Advantage: serves as handrail during displacement.

Inconvenience: transverse displacement on deck is more difficult (this type of displacement is the least common).

Inconvenience: intermediate points where you have to release and clip again the tether.

Example: Sonabia

RM1050, equipped for single-handed sailing. Pedigree: sailing in Tierra del Fuego. 2 transatlantic sailings from Europe to Tierra del Fuego, raids to Cape Horn, Antarctica , etc.

Plan - Circuit of deck lines.

Material. 10mm dyneema rope, rupture load above 3 tons. The rope is continuous.

Anchoring points. Rear: knotted loop in lateral openings. Front: 12 mm diameter O-ring at the base of the stay cleat.

Intermediate points. Mast pulpit. Provided with a holding strap to untie oneself and/or work safely. Bow pulpit.

Circuit. From cockpit to bow. A deck line is not necessary behind this point, there are straps in the cockpit to secure a tether.

Photos

Safety device: Omni anchoring belt (line = extensible Technora rope)

Cockpit (anchoring) Pathway ... Mast pulpit (intermediate)

Front deck Pulpit + O-ring (anchoring) Moving between 2 deck lines used as handrails

Videos

Los Mares del Sur travel. 2016 01 01, 1800utc, position 52o06S 067o52W.

Single-handed sailing east of the Strait of Magellan in calm weather, wearing an omni anchoring belt.

Observations

The anchoring belt is used systematically, even in good weather. wearing it and/or in the pocket.

The anchoring line is passed around the deck line and tied as short as possible while standing up.

The red safety strap at the mast provides a safe point to work and/or change to the next section.

Displacement on the front deck is between the 2 deck lines, which serve as handrails.

Los Mares del Sur travel. 2016 01 03, 1320utc, position 54o28S, 065o36W

Single-handed sailing north of the Strait of Le Maire, running under stay sail alone (strong winds are arriving), wearing life jacket and a self-rescue tether equipped with an anchoring line.

Observations

The anchoring line serves as double anchoring for the tether, it is light and its length is adjustable.

In case of bad weather, both the tether and the anchoring lines are secured.

- while moving, both are secured to the deck line.

- while working, the tether is secured to the closest strong point.

With this double anchoring, it is not mandatory to remain beyond the red holding strap.

Dangerous urban legend busted: "It is impossible to go overboard on my boat" (heard from an experienced sailor). See in the video how to go overboard, even with a short tether (1.35m) and centered deck lines.

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