PFDs (personal floation device) should be worn at all times on board the cruisers unless you are inside the cabin. There are many types of PFDs. These days, many people use the inflatable kind that uses a CO2 canister. In 2017, the Coast Guard counted 4,291 accidents that involved 658 deaths, 2,629 injuries and approximately $46 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents. In 76 percent of fatal boating accidents the victims drowned. Of those who drowned in 2017, 84 percent were not wearing a life jacket.


Tethers attach the crew to the jacklines to prevent POB situations. The jacklines are set up from bow to stern using high strength (5000+lbs) polyester webbing. We prefer to set them up close to the center line of the boat so that at maximum tether length, it will not be possible for somebody to go outside the lines of the boat. Some PFDs have an attachment ring for the tether. You can also get a harness separately.


  • Never leave the cockpit without clipping on first. Jacklines should be installed so you can do this.
  • Jacklines that let you hang overboard can kill you, and a tether that is not attached to the boat is useless.
  • Move slowly and carefully, so you can watch your footwork and what you’re clipping on to.
  • When moving, always clip your next tether leg on before removing the last one.
  • Always move on the high side (windward) of the boat, unless you have to work on the leeward side. Staying windward and clipping to the jackline on that side means if you fall, you’ll end up on the boat and not in the water.
  • Try to double clip when you aren’t moving. Leave one end of your tether on the jackline, and you can loop the other end around a shroud, cleat, or other hard point on the boat as a backup.
  • Do NOT clip to the lifelines. They aren’t usually strong enough to hold the point shock-load of your body on a tether. If you have to clip near a rail, go around a stanchion.



          



       


You can see the difference in jacklines set up along the side decks vs near the midline of the boat.