Life Line Lashings

FPB-64-1Manual-174

The life lines forward at the mast on the port side and at the forward end of the port dinghy are lashed rather than pinned. There are two reasons for this:

  • If the anchor is stored on deck for a long uphill passage cutting the bottom two lifelines allows the anchor to be quickly leveraged overboard, should it be needed in a hurry.
  • In an abandon ship situation where the dinghy was favored, cutting the lifelines substantially reduces the height to which the dink must be raised.

Posted by Steve Dashew  (March 31, 2010)




5 Responses to “Life Line Lashings”

  1. EAF Says:

    You lash onto the bail? Always thought that was wrong – it means you’re relying on the weld. Safer to lash round the stanchion/rail, and through the bail for location, in a figure eight. Means smooth/tubular bails are better – no chafe.


  2. Steve Dashew Says:

    It depends on the bale to which yo are lashing Monsieur:
    In this case, using a flat plate bale there is three inches (75mm) of weld, so strength is not a problem.


  3. Scott Evangelista Says:

    Steve

    I understand logic of quick, but what about pelican hook arrangements?


  4. Steve Dashew Says:

    Pelican hooks will work Scott:
    However they can become sticky if not used for long periods. Also, it is easier to get a tight lashing the way it is shown in the photos (compared to a pelican hook).


  5. David Snow Says:

    In 1983, when we got our new Vindo 45 (33 ft.) it had lashed lifelines as required by the Swedish department that certified boats there. This “requirement” came out of things “learned” during the 1978 Fastnet race where many boaters had difficulty launching their life rafts in high seas over the life lines.