Lifeline

A safety tether connecting a person’s harness or lifejacket attachment point to a strong point or jackstay on a vessel.

Its purpose is to reduce the risk of separation from the vessel while allowing controlled movement on deck. The tether, clips, attachment point, jackstay and harness system must be compatible and capable of carrying the loads that can arise in a fall or sudden vessel movement.

Length and clipping technique affect whether a person can reach the rail or water, and a two-leg tether can allow continuous attachment during transfers. In some regions, “lifeline” also means the perimeter wire or rope supported by stanchions; in British usage that is often called a guard wire, and it is a distinct meaning.