Standard Rigging Practices

[Chorine]

I am not a rigger, however I have spent many dull hour in building standards committee meetings. Auspicious, has a good point. To create a meaningful standard you need the support of an organization like ABYC. These organizations typically provide the forum for discussion and publish the resulting standard. They also control the process to prevent problems with restraint of trade and other bussiness issues. If there is a percieved need a standards organization will provide a focal point for other profesionals and manufactureers who may want to participate.

Also, Brion thanks for Spartalk. As a weekend sailor I find it very interesting and helpful.

Respectfully
Randall Stevens

[cwa]

Getting into sailing and taking a very active hand in building my newest boat has been great for me. I've learned a lot about all aspects of what needs to be done "properly" on a sailboat. This has also helped me in my current trade of being a theatrical technician (stage hand). One area that I regularly work in is what is called "ground rigging" in theatres and arenas. Since becoming familiar with sailboat rigging I've notice more things that are just "a little off", so to speak, with some of the rigging seen in my area or work.

I thank Brion for putting this forum of open discussion on the internet.

In a work venue where there are "lives at stake" when you put something suspended over the heads of thousands of people there needs to be some sort of standard so the rigging is done properly & consistently. This concern for standards has led to a "certification" process in the area of theatrical rigging. For a look at what the newest process of certification is for this rigging specialty go look at: http://etcp.esta.org/candidateinfo/riggingexams.html

I am not implying that there needs to be anything quite like that done with sailboat rigging.

It is nice to see that there is a thought of getting a cohesive set of working standards together so everyone is "on the same page" with regards to sailboat rigging. Some of the rigging that I've seen on some boats is really appalling after doing some studying on the subject.

I'm just watching & learning here on the forum and again I thank Brion for the access to this information.

Carl

[benz]

Without trying to discourage people from this idea, let me caution that whenever I have seen a certification program for ANYTHING come along, it invariably turns into a business, meaning only those who can afford to take the courses can get 'certified', and those who can't afford it (and sometimes the course prices get insane, as with the AMGA) find their business drying up, not because they're bad at whatever it is, but because they can't pay to get certified. I know many qualified mountain guides who with thirty years of experience and good record get passed over for work because some kid shows up with a newfangled 'certificate', meaning he took a class, but may have zero experience dealing with real situations.
Having tossed out that wet blanket, I do think a comprehensive reference book of standards agreed on by a panel of expert riggers and engineers would be an invaluable resource for every rigging shop. It wouldn't need to be made readable like the "Rigger's Apprentice"; it could be as boring as "Bowditch" as long as it had the necessary information.
Just a thought....
Ben

[Robbie.g]

i couldn't agree more... I have experienced the 'certification' process first hand, in a similar feild to Ben, this certification is/was not an advancement. But a 'bible' for every rigger would be awesome. definately the future...