Clive 13 Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 Interesting article here at PBO. With SSANZ and Solo races insisting on wearing a tether I think that I would rater take my chances in the water (inshore racing) than being dragged behind the boat under the water. http://www.pbo.co.uk/seamanship/is-it-safe-to-use-a-tether-25125 Thoughts? Make it short is one option Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScottiE 174 Posted September 18, 2016 Share Posted September 18, 2016 pretty sobering alright. If you look at the comments below there's an additional video posted on a "back-pull" harness that looked to pretty much eliminate the issue. Quite impressive. What I find odd is that the test was done in 2012 and the company that sells them went bust in '13. I'm amazed that there isn't more in this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 360 Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 Correction just FYI SSANZ requires you to carry a tether on a multi at all times Completely upto you if your attach all, some or none of the time and how long you make. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,240 Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 When I used to do swift water rescue training for whitewater canoeing, I had a harness built in to my specialist life jacket with a central rear attachment that could be released from the front. It was well known that a front mounted harness will submerge you and drown you in swift water. A rear mounted harness will keep you on the surface... No idea why, but I've only ever seen one sailing harness of similar design. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Clive 13 Posted September 20, 2016 Author Share Posted September 20, 2016 Correction just FYI SSANZ requires you to carry a tether on a multi at all times Completely upto you if your attach all, some or none of the time and how long you make. Yes you are right, I seem to remember NZMYC making noise about that at the time when it was proposed that it was to be mandatory to be tethered at all times. Being trapped under the boat was the main objection I seem to remember. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScottiE 174 Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 The other issue discussed was the sheer speed differential - being dragged through the water consistently at 15kts for a few minutes is gonna fill your lungs with briny pretty quick smart. I think it was agreed that lifejackets would be mandatory as a consequence on SSANZ races. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,240 Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 For the Coastal single handed division, lifejackets are compulsory at all times. Also a means to make a distress call if you fall overboard. I have a PLB on my lifejacket, so I already comply. A Hand held VHF MAY be ok? My basic safety procedures and equipment include several strong points to clip to in the cockpit, and jack stays on both side decks, that can be reached and clipped to from the cockpit, and a tether short enough so that from the windward side I cannot reach the water to leeward. However, this is still an issue right at the bow. The tether is double hooked ( 1 each end) and I have a knife with rope cutter also in my jacket. The basic rule of seamanship also applies - one hand for yourself, one for the ship. Also nothing is so urgent that you don't have time to clip on! (Like most, I have occasionally broken this one, although never single handed). DON'T FALL OFF!! There are risks to sailing, even more so when solo. I understand these and accept them. If something happens to me it is my fault, no others should take any blame whatsoever, nor put themselves in danger to try to assist. I fully accept the risks. If I ever disappear at sea, feel free to quote this post to the authorities or any interested party. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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