This week all marine industry eyes are on METS - the Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam - where all kinds of new products for 2008 are being unveiled.
Following the enormous success of the Spinlock Deckvest, launched at the show last year, Spinlock has announced that it will be launching a range of ultra-light safety lines, under the label Connect, designed to be used with the Deckvest lifejacket and harness or with any conventional safety harness.
Again, the emphasis is on making safety gear more comfortableand less cumbersome and so overcoming people's resistance to wearing it as a matter of course.
Each safety line includes a simple stitched loop for swift 'cowhitched' attachment to the harness. This saves around 150gms per line, virtually halving the usual weight.
Wearing the easily stowed Spinlock safety line cutter, any safety line will satisfy ISAF and ORC recommendations by providing a means of disconnection under load.
Spinlock director Chris Hill stresses the benefits of this single clip option: “Simplicity is really important in the MOB prevention equation. If a solution is too bulky, we know the safety line will often not be used.
“In the rare situation that you need to separate from the boat, the line can be cut, complying with ORC/ISAF recommendations, but without risking the issue of accidental release with a shackle.”
The new lines come in the approved standard lengths, complete with one-handed opening, double action clips and overload indication.
The range also includes a 2clip, 2 metre version and a 3 clip line, offering 1 metre attachment or elasticated 2 metre length for maneouverability.
