Harnesses and Tethers Safety Study - Stay Secure On Board

Harnesses and Tethers Safety Study

The revised version of The Sailing Foundation Harness and Tether Study conducted in 1998 with major funding provided by a non profit organization, the Bonnell Foundation, was released for the World Wide Web on October 6th, 1999.

It was the Sailing Foundation of Seattle, Washington, that developed the Lifesling rescue device now standard safety equipment on most sailing and motor yachts.

It is thanks to these studies and stringent tests that when buying our yacht tethers and harnesses from reputable marine outlets today, we can be assured that they won’t fail.

The Three Tests
a - A water test
b - Static test
c - Dynamic Load Test

The Sailing foundation purchased the products from floor stock and none of the manufacturers were advised as to what they intended to do with them. 21 harnesses and 17 tethers from 17 manufacturers were bought.

No Standards

At the time there were no standards in the USA for recreational yacht harnesses, and although the Offshore Racing Council (ORC) had their own specifications for harnesses and tethers, they changed these to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 12401 in 1998 and were not available to the public and manufacturers at the time the Sailing Foundation started its own tests. The tests were done to the old 1996 - 1997 ORC rules. The UL/U.S. Coast Guard also did not have standards for harnesses other than a statement requiring that the harness must be adequate for its intended use.

Water Test

The first test was an in the water test. Here a Crew Overboard wearing different brand harnesses with 3ft and 6 ft assorted tethers, were towed through the water. The reaction of the wearers was noted, i.e. if they were comfortable, their ability to breathe easily when towed and also how easy it was to re board the yacht. It was also noted how easily the snap shackle at the harness could be released when under load.

Static Test

The second test was a static one where the examiner conducted a physical inspection of the harness and tether. Here comfort, ease of strap adjustment, the width of load bearing straps, magnetic properties and the weight of the harness, was recorded. The workmanship and fabrication of these items was carefully examined
Another phase of static testing and trying to keep it as real as possible in summer or winter sailing weather, crew were timed as to how long it took them to don the different harness with and without foul weather gear. Weight of harness, degree of difficulty strapping it on, ease of adjustment, pinch points, uncomfortable strap rubbing etc. all came under their consideration.
Another test executed was one where the wearer was hoisted by his harness off the ground with a dingy hoist. Points noted were again ease of breathing and what happened with the harness when the wearers raised their arms when trying to climb back onboard.

The Dynamic Load Test

The dynamic load test was done to see how the harness and its tether would react when attached to a 220 dummy and dropped 6 foot 6 inches. To eliminate the tether as a variable when testing a harness, each harness had its own brand new tether attached. The same when testing tethers, a same type of new harness was used so as eliminate the harness as a variable. To improve the shock loading qualities of nylon webbing, the tethers and harnesses were first soaked in water.

Harness For Women

Harnesses marketed towards women had different comfort levels, depending on the wearer's physique. Testing done by the Tacoma Women's Sailing Association at the time stated that, when under load most harnesses were very uncomfortable.

Conclusions

Harnesses are made to save lives, and over the years I have used many different types. Most do get uncomfortable and this usually depends on how long you have been wearing it. If wearing one prevents you from going over board with all its possible consequences, a little discomfort may help in staying alert.