At the crane

mast below the crane with the luff-groove facing downwards and top of mast facing out. • This is an operation which requires considerable care and concentration. A botched crane lift causes material damage at best, but there is a clear risk of personal injury through carelessness. Adopt the following measures: • Locating the lifting strop. Locating the yacht. Moor the yacht so that it is stationary under the crane, with the lifting hook centred immediately forward of the T-base or deck ring. • Locate the lifting strop close to or above the mast’s centre of gravity. If the strop is placed too far down, the mast will be “top-heavy”, which External conditions. will not let go of the lower end of the mast until it is stayed Avoid stepping a mast in a strong wind. Ensure that onlookers are at least a mast-length away. • Manning. The absolute minimum is three people. One person is appointed “captain” to take charge of the work. The captain’s task is to guide the mast over the yacht, and he/she (for keel-stepped masts, please see page 23). Another person operates the crane, on the directions of the captain. A third person assists the cap- tain when the mast is being lifted and swung out over the yacht. When the mast is placed on the T-base, this person attaches the shrouds and stays. Later in the book, we give a description of the order in which this is to be done for different rig types. • Place the
Make sure the strop does not interfere with the lower shroud attachments. 20