Safety Tether Recall

[J Ventura]

West Marine is recalling single and double safety tethers because they
"discovered that under heavy load , the shackle may not release."
I must be missing something because this doesn't seem like a problem to me...

[thinwater]

Actually, it is not just that it is hard to open; it can fail in such a way that it is not openable even with the load released. Basically, the release mechanism comes off in your hand.

PS Letter Prompts West Marine to Recall Safety Tether

I had this happen to a chute halyard just last week, so I believe it is an issue. Though the snap shackles are strong, the lanyard attachment is often nothing more than a split ring.

[sck5]

from what i have read, it seems this recall was inspired by problems with a NON west marine tether that was reported on in Practical Sailor - WM then recalled their own tethers because it seemed they were prone to the same issues. SO you might want to check your tether release lanyard regardless of what brand tether it is.

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by J Ventura

West Marine is recalling single and double safety tethers because they
"discovered that under heavy load , the shackle may not release."
I must be missing something because this doesn't seem like a problem to me...

For the time that you are trapped under the boat and you have decided that you no longer wish to be tethered to the boat, many tethers now have a snap shackle at the harness end to detach you.

John

[J Ventura]

I always carry a knife

[Curmudgeon]

The snap shackle is a terrible design for a tether. You should get the double tethers (with attachments at 3ft and 6ft) with all carabiner hooks. And carry a knife.

[jackdale]

I have an older WM tether with Wichard clips, the split rings are welded. I have used other tethers in which the split rings are deforming.

I cgot the recall as I was packing for a delivery from Maui to Vancouver. I have both the old tether and a new one, which will be returned when I get back.

Yes I always carry a knife.

Jack

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

The snap shackle is a terrible design for a tether. You should get the double tethers (with attachments at 3ft and 6ft) with all carabiner hooks. And carry a knife.

I know that releasable shackles have their strengths.

Ask a rock climber to hang from a cliff with one and he'll tell you to get stuffed. Then think about hanging from the mast head, yourself, on a breezy day from a spin shackle - no one suggests that, though.