22.4 Safety Harnesses
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - MCA Publications - MGN 280 - Small Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure, Workboats and Pilot Boats - Alternative Construction Standards - 22 Protection of Personnel - 22.4 Safety Harnesses

22.4 Safety Harnesses

  22.4.1 A vessel should be provided with safety harnesses as necessary for all persons who may be required to work on deck, with a minimum number of 2.

  22.4.2 A sailing vessel should carry a safety harness for each person on board.

  22.4.3 Efficient means for securing the life lines of safety harnesses should be provided on exposed decks, and grabrails provided on the sides and ends of a deckhouse.

  22.4.4 Fastening points for the attachment of safety harness life lines should be arranged having regard to the likely need for work on or above deck. In general, securing points should be provided in the following positions:-

  • .1 close to a companionway; and

  • .2 on both sides of a cockpit.

  22.4.5 When guard rails or wires are not otherwise provided, or do not meet the requirements of Section 22.2 or 22.3, jackstays (which may be fixed or portable) secured to strong points, should be provided on each side of the vessel to enable crew members to traverse the length of the weather deck in bad weather.

  22.4.6 For sailing vessels operating in Area Category 0, 1, 2 or 3, jackstays must be provided.

  22.4.7 Motor vessels with guardrails of a height less than that required by Section 22.2 may be accepted for areas where passengers are not normally allowed. These areas should be restricted to crew use only and alternative arrangements provided onboard for their protection.

  22.4.8 When a sailing vessel is provided with an open fronted pulpit, jackstays should be carried sufficiently far forward to protect persons working in the vicinity of the pulpit.


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