Last winter a schooner out of Camden lost a young man when his girlfriend lost control of the halyard. I can't get it out of my mind.

It scared me seeing the girl going up I went over to ask the young guy if I could help as he was cranking and tailing. I tailed and as she got to the top, he was going to just hold it, so I suggested cleating. I stuck around and mentioned did he consider using the other rope halyard(one was spinnaker, one main I think) as a back up? And he was glad of the suggestion. I don't know,...maybe I'm getting old. I would always have a back up even if requires disconnecting and reconnecting at the spreaders.

He brought her down with just one wrap, I stayed watching that winch and halyard like it was a ghost. The winch was kind of old.

What do others feel is safe?

I know the yard the boat located inland and I think these kids don't work for them but should I send and email?