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'JRTR' CV9 Qingdao - on a regular mast climb at sea 2011/12 Race: Photo JRTR!
Regular, preventative maintenance of your boat and its systems is critical when undertaking an ocean passage; even more so when you're pushing the boat in race trim. A significant part of your maintenance programme will include your sail wardrobe and standing and running rigging.
To check the rig, blocks and halyards, you're going to need to do a mast ascent and this will mean undertaking a risk assessment. Yes, yes, 'Health and safety', but believe me, the first time you leave the rig in an unplanned swing, you'll be a believer! Climbing a rig when underway is different to when sitting alongside a dock.
To check the rig, blocks and halyards, you're going to need to do a mast ascent and this will mean undertaking a risk assessment. Yes, yes, 'Health and safety', but believe me, the first time you leave the rig in an unplanned swing, you'll be a believer! Climbing a rig when underway is different to when sitting alongside a dock.
In any event, before you start, you should be wearing a lifejacket with safety line, helmet, possibly fingerless leather-palmed sailing gloves (optional) and if you are taking tools with you make sure they are clipped to your harness (so that you don't drop them on your crew mate's head).
Having a sealable bag on your belt is useful for things like insulation tape, spare bulbs, etc and I'd recommend you take a multitool / safety knife (also on a lanyard) and accessible when you are in your harness. Don't do what I once did and put it in your dry suit thigh pocket, then realise you can't get to it when you need it because your climbing harness prevents access to your pocket!
If you plan on being up there a while, a 70 cm long strop with a carabiner clip on both ends can be useful for attaching yourself more securely to the mast whilst working aloft.
Having a sealable bag on your belt is useful for things like insulation tape, spare bulbs, etc and I'd recommend you take a multitool / safety knife (also on a lanyard) and accessible when you are in your harness. Don't do what I once did and put it in your dry suit thigh pocket, then realise you can't get to it when you need it because your climbing harness prevents access to your pocket!
If you plan on being up there a while, a 70 cm long strop with a carabiner clip on both ends can be useful for attaching yourself more securely to the mast whilst working aloft.
