David,

The first safety rule is that you need TWO lines securing you. You climb on one 
halyard (usually main) and use a second halyard (jib, spinnaker?) as a 
secondary safety line.

Additionally, I would suggest having a length of webbing (climbing tubular 
webbing tied in a loop) with a carabiner, which you would use to keep you close 
to the mast. It should be long enough to let you move comfortably, but short 
enough to prevent swinging. The loop should be attached to your harness. Such 
loop would also protect you in case that everything else fails - if you slide 
down the mast you would hang on the spreaders (if you are above; but if you are 
below you would land with a thud, but probably without much damage, on the 
deck).

Never use shackles or worse yet, quick-release shackles in your personal safety 
gear. Use knots that you trust. I use a bowline, but many would question its 
reliability. An alpine butterfly or similar knot is much better.

Btw. If you climb aloft and plan to do any work, consider using some foot 
loops. If you are sitting in the harness or the bosun’s chair, you can only 
reach within your arms length. If you have foot loops attached to the same 
line, you can stand in the loops and could do much more up there. This pays 
big, especially when you have to work at the mast head - your harness would 
hold you to the height of the halyard sheave (and not any higher), but you may 
want to look at the mast head from above. If you have these foot loops attached 
around the mast, you would have a very strong foothold and almost a secure 
platform to stand on.

And lastly - for any mast climbing exercises, use mountaineering climbing gear 
(not sailing gear). It is lighter, better and easier to use (people who 
designed it use it a lot).

Good luck

Marek

From: CnC-List <cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com> On Behalf Of David Knecht via 
CnC-List
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2019 13:42
To: CnC CnC discussion list <CnC-List@cnc-list.com>
Cc: David Knecht <davidakne...@gmail.com>
Subject: Stus-List Climbing the mast

I picked up a used Mastclimber on Ebay this winter.  I have not used it yet, 
but am thinking ahead so I am ready when I need it.  When I went up the mast a 
few years ago with an expert’s equipment and help, I was pulled up on a halyard 
and the main winch.  I had a strap around the mast to keep me from swinging out 
away from the mast in waves.  The ATN device allows you to climb a fixed 
halyard so should have less tendency for swinging.  I am wondering if I should 
still have a safety strap around the mast, but if so,  it must be something 
that is easily attached and detached to get above spreaders.  Do the expert 
climbers in the group think that safety is necessary, and if so, what device do 
I want?  Line with carabiners on each end or something else?  Thanks- Dave

S/V Aries
1990 C&C 34+
New London, CT

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