It is important to thoroughly understand techniques for the the safe use of ropes in the cockpit and on deck. Careless use and stowage of ropes can cause injury.
• Keep hands a safe distance from a working winch.
• Long hair and loose clothing must be kept away from working winches.
• If a rope gets out of control, your safety is more important than damage to the boat.
• Keep your hands safe at all times.
• Keep your work area tidy and free of slip and trip hazards
- All halyards to be coiled and stowed after use at the mast ready for instant use.
- Coil halyard falls loosely and hang on appropriate cleat by making a loop as shown.
- All Sheets to be coiled after use and hung on appropriate winch.
- No cockpit ropes are to be made off with Sailor's Gasket as this delays quick deployment.
- No ropes to be left on cockpit floor or near companionway.
- Cockpit to be kept tidy at all times.
Inspection of winches - The winches are serviced as part of the ongoing service schedule. Any sign of a winch rotating the wrong way must be investigated immediately.
A sticking pawl can cause dangerous, sudden reverse rotation!
- It is a 10 minute job to strip and check a winch. Disassemble as shown.
- Check for pawls to make sure they operate freely.
- Spare springs are in the top drawer of the chart table.