: Some clubs won't allow boats out in their groups unless they have deck-lines.
: They are considered an essential safety feature in groups where rafted
: tows may have to be set up and for X rescues where there is no rear
: bulkhead in a boat.

: A towline through the bow-loop clipped onto a deck-line near the cockpit can
: also be released from the towed end.

: I heard recently though that There is a movement in Germany opposing
: deck-lines in clubs as people have on occasion had a hand trapped under
: one and been injured by surf rolling a boat or some such.

: I don't know how true this is. Any one else come across this bit of info?

: Et.

I've done a number of rescues and can't imagine how one would hold onto a boat, specially a varnished one, if it had no deck lines. Varnish wet with water is extremely slippery. Of course there could be instances where someone could get hurt in a rescue in waves, but what's the alternative? Not rescue?

Bill H.