GL: Jack Lines and Tethersj

[rkovach338 at aol.com]

The string has been interesting. But I see some mis-understanding on what a jack line and tether is supposed to do for you. You should never use a round line tied on deck for a Jack line, which is secured well on deck. On a heaving, rolling deck your foot can "roll" on the round line and send you overboard. Jack lines should be flat webbed material that lies flat on deck.?Tethers??should be short enough to let you go fore and aft but not that long that it lets you go over the side. The tether is to be short enough to keep you on deck.

I have not seen?any ?comments on the use of the "Life sling" product that can be deployed and with a long enough line you can circle the person in the water with the boat?so the person in the water? can retrieve the horse shoe life ring. Also you can?use any? winches onboard?to retrieve a person on board. A Life Sling block and tackle properly marked with tape to a predetermine point that insures the person will be out of the water can?be used with the winch on your boom or hydraulic davit. The boom or davit?will give you the extra lifting muscle to get someone back onboard.? Determine how far the line on the Life sling block and tackle has to come in to get someone back on board and mark that point?before you need it.? PLB, PFD Strobes all good advice . The best advice. STAY ON DECK.? Remember "one hand for yourself and one for the ship". Practice Man-overboard drills. I have spent many?days and nights onboard?USCG Ships and?Aircraft looking for heads in the water. A strobe 
 should be on every PFD and a signal mirror at a mininimum..a PLB great. Worried about cost? How much is your life worth?....Cruise Safe.


Capt Bob Kovach
USCG Licensed Master Sail & Power
MV ALLEZ! MT50 WB
City Marina F-11
Port Captain MTOA & AGLCA
Charleston, S.C 



































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































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