Harnesses and Lanyards

Safety at sea must be one of the main elements when preparing your semi-offshore and offshore navigations, i.e. more than 6 miles from a shelter. Whether you are alone or with a crew, here are the different elements you will need according to the ISO 12401 standard. The lanyard is attached to the lifeline, which is itself firmly attached to the boat. They can be extendable, a simple strap, with 2 carabiners or with 3 carabiners. The end of the lanyard is attached either to an independent harness or to your self-inflating lifejacket if it is equipped with the harness function. Beyond 6 miles from a shelter, in a motorboat, it is necessary to have a lanyard and a harness at least on the boat while on a sailboat, it is necessary to have a harness and a lanyard per person.

The lanyard is the essential complement to the lifejacket

It is necessary to be equipped with a model of lifejacket "with harness", which is equipped with a solid metal buckle necessary for the captivation of the lanyard and which offers a strong resistance to traction. Some models may also have a webbing buckle that proves to be just as strong as the metal buckle. The strength of lanyards and harnesses is standardized, so it is important to make sure that a harness and lanyard are compatible, especially in terms of strength, and you should therefore avoid "tinkering" with your lanyard yourself. These resistances are determined by the reference standard and are tested in a laboratory. The resistance can also change with the age of the harness: it is necessary to watch the ageing of the sling which, even if visually imperceptible, can deteriorate.

The characteristics of the lanyard

• The number of points: a lanyard can be single with 2 points or double with 3 points. The advantage of the 3-point lanyard is that it allows you to remain permanently attached in high-risk situations, such as a maneuver on the front deck.
• The number and type of carabiners: there does not have to be a carabiner at each end; the lanyard can be integrated into the harness by a webbing loop. In addition, there are different types of carabiners (stainless steel, aluminum, etc.) but they are locked when closed and can only be opened by a double action.
• The length of the straps: the standard length is 2 m, but when a lanyard is double, the 2nd strand is reduced to 1 m to allow for a tight hold. The principle of a harness is to prevent falling overboard: it must therefore be as short as possible and as often as possible. It should be noted that for offshore races, the new Word Sailing RSO RORC norms impose lanyards of 1 meter maximum.
• Extendable: the presence of an elastic band allows undeniable comfort because the strap "shortens" by itself when moving on the boat. Quieter and less obstructive, the extendable lanyard is the model chosen by sailors who regularly wear their harness.

You will also find on Picksea harnesses to climb the mast as well as a large choice of carabiners, a Petzl ascender pack and quick release pinoches.