Halyard

A line used to hoist, support or lower a sail, flag, yard or other item aloft.

A halyard normally runs over or through a sheave and is secured by a cleat, clutch or winch. It may be rope, wire or a combination, and its tension can affect sail luff shape as well as holding the item at the required height.

Inspection should cover chafe, elongation, sheaves, terminals, splices, shackles, clutches and mast exits. An ordinary sail halyard should not be assumed suitable for hoisting a person; working aloft requires equipment, redundancy and procedures specifically appropriate to supporting human life.