Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jackline Worker

🎯 Role Definition

A Jackline Worker is a specialized rigging and safety technician responsible for the installation, inspection, maintenance and testing of jacklines, lifelines and associated fall-protection systems on vessels, rigs and marine platforms. This hands-on role ensures crew mobility and personal fall arrest compliance through expert fitting of anchor points, splices, swages and hardware, while documenting condition reports and conducting load/proof tests in accordance with industry standards (OSHA, SOLAS, company HSE procedures). The ideal candidate combines sailing or offshore deck experience with rigging and rope-access proficiency, a strong safety mindset, and the ability to read drawings, schematics and test reports.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Deckhand or Seafarer with basic seamanship experience and safety training.
Rigger or General Maintenance Technician with rope and hardware experience.
Rope Access Technician (IRATA Level 1) or Fall Protection Technician.

Advancement To:

Lead Rigger / Jackline Team Lead
Safety Officer / HSE Specialist (marine/offshore)
Marine Superintendent / Rigging Supervisor
Offshore Installation Supervisor or Technical Trainer (fall-protection)

Lateral Moves:

Rope Access Technician / IRATA Specialist
Crane Operator or Lifting Equipment Inspector
Maintenance Technician / Fabrication Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Install, rig and remove jacklines, lifelines, and temporary/permanent anchor systems on vessels, platforms and marine structures to enable safe crew movement; interpret deck plans and manufacturer installation instructions to determine optimal anchor locations and routing.
Conduct pre-installation surveys and risk assessments to identify suitable deck fittings, stowage points and structural anchor zones; advise on modifications or reinforcements required to meet load and safety standards.
Inspect jacklines, webbing, synthetic and steel ropes, shackles, swages, turnbuckles and stainless-steel fittings for wear, corrosion, deformation, slicing or other damage; provide detailed written inspection reports with photographs and recommended remedial actions.
Perform and document proof and load testing on anchor points, pad-eyes and rigging assemblies in accordance with company procedures, SOLAS/IMO guidance, and relevant national regulations; calibrate and record test equipment readings.
Splice, terminate and repair synthetic lines and wire ropes using industry-standard techniques (eye splices, back splice, Dutch splice, swage sleeves); ensure terminations meet design working-load limits and manufacturer's specifications.
Install, adjust and maintain fall-arrest systems including harness attachment points, energy absorbers, lanyards and mobile fall-arrest systems; verify compatibility of components and correct user fitment.
Fit and certify permanent deck anchor points and through-deck fittings, coordinate with welding/fabrication teams for installation of structural reinforcement where required.
Maintain inventories of jackline kits, spare hardware, tools and PPE; track serial numbers, inspection dates and retirement schedules to ensure regulated lifecycle management.
Train crew members and vessel personnel in correct use of jacklines, harnesses, lanyards and personal protective equipment (PPE); run toolbox talks, practical drills and competency checks to reinforce safe practices.
Collaborate with Safety/HSE, vessel operations and engineering teams to develop or update jackline policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and emergency rescue plans.
Respond to urgent safety requests and rigging failures at sea or offshore, perform emergency repairs and implement temporary controlled access measures until permanent fixes are completed.
Coordinate with vendors and suppliers to procure certified rigging hardware, swage kits, certified shackles, load cells and test equipment; review Certificates of Conformity and supplier documentation.
Maintain detailed electronic and paper records of installations, inspections, tests, repairs and retirements for audit and compliance (logbooks, CMMS entries, inspection tags).
Use rope-access techniques or safe-for-work at-height methods to install or inspect jacklines in confined or elevated areas; follow fall-arrest rescue and retrieval protocols.
Advise ship/rig management on design improvements for deck layouts and anchor systems to reduce trip hazards and optimize safe-person access while at sea or during maintenance.
Troubleshoot and repair corrosion-related failures on stainless-steel fittings and terminals; recommend material upgrades (316L, duplex) where environmental exposure dictates.
Conduct pre-deployment checks and readiness inspections of jackline and fall-protection kits prior to vessel sail-away, cargo operations, or personnel transfers.
Coordinate with surveyors and classification society representatives during audits, reporting any non-conformities and leading corrective action efforts to ensure re-certification.
Ensure all jackline work complies with statutory requirements and industry codes (OSHA, SOLAS, IMO, Flag State rules) and company HSE policies.
Supervise and mentor junior riggers and deck personnel assigned to jackline-related tasks; assign work, review quality and ensure adherence to safe-work permits and hot-work controls when applicable.
Regularly assess tools and test equipment calibration needs; manage repair/replacement to ensure accurate load testing and safe installations.
Implement continuous improvement suggestions for jackline kit design, stowage solutions and simplified inspection checklists to reduce inspection time while maintaining safety.

Secondary Functions

Support incident investigations involving fall protection or rigging failures; collect evidence, produce timelines and assist HSE in root cause analysis.
Prepare ITPs (Inspection & Test Plans) and assist in developing preventive maintenance schedules for all fall-protection assets.
Lead periodic competency assessments and maintain training records for personnel authorized to use jacklines and fall-protection equipment.
Participate in emergency response planning, drills and on-board rescue exercises related to working at height and jackline rescues.
Liaise with naval architects, shipyards and procurement to specify jackline materials, anchor locations and deck reinforcement during refit or new-build projects.
Provide technical input for risk assessments, method statements and confined-space entry procedures that involve rigging and temporary access systems.
Assist with budgeting and cost estimates for jackline kit replacements, upgrades and annual maintenance programs.
Support inventory audits and asset tagging initiatives to improve traceability of critical fall-protection components.
Contribute to the organization’s continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting more durable materials, simplified inspection forms and consolidated stowage systems.
Provide on-call support during crew changes, weather events or emergency situations where rapid rigging alterations are required.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Installation, inspection and maintenance of jacklines and lifelines on vessels/offshore platforms.
Proficient in wire rope and synthetic rope splicing, swaging, crimping and termination techniques.
Competent in load and proof testing using calibrated load cells, dynamometers and test rigs; ability to document test certificates.
In-depth knowledge of rigging hardware (shackles, turnbuckles, pad-eyes, stainless fittings) and working load limits (WLL).
Familiarity with maritime and offshore fall-protection regulations and standards (OSHA, SOLAS, IMO, Flag State guidance).
Rope-access or at-height working skills (IRATA, SPRAT) or experience in equivalent safe work at height systems.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, deck plans, structural drawings and installation schematics.
Competence with hand and power tools commonly used in rigging: torque wrenches, hydraulic swagers, grinders and drills.
Experience with inspection reporting systems, CMMS entry, and maintaining inspection logs and certificates.
Knowledge of corrosion mitigation, material selection (stainless grades) and anti-seize/sealant best practices.
Ability to perform structural assessment for anchor point placement and advise on reinforcement requirements.
Familiarity with PPE selection, harness fitting and energy-absorber compatibility testing.

Soft Skills

Strong safety mindset and commitment to a positive safety culture.
Excellent attention to detail and observational skills for identifying subtle wear or defects.
Clear verbal and written communication for reporting, training and stakeholder coordination.
Problem-solving and practical troubleshooting under time pressure and in harsh environments.
Team leadership and mentoring capability to coach junior crew members.
Physical fitness, manual dexterity and comfort working at heights and in adverse marine weather.
Time management and ability to prioritize urgent repairs versus scheduled maintenance.
Adaptability and calm decision-making during emergency or high-risk situations.
Collaborative approach to working with HSE, engineering, procurement and vessel operations.
Customer-service orientation when dealing with crew, ship management and external auditors.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent (secondary education) with evidence of technical competence.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate or technical diploma in Rigging, Marine Systems, Welding/Fabrication, or Offshore Safety.
Certifications related to rope access (IRATA, SPRAT), fall-protection instruction, or maritime safety (STCW Basic Safety, GWO or equivalent).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Marine Engineering, Maritime Operations or Nautical Science
Rigging Technology, Mechanical or Structural Technician
Occupational Health & Safety / HSE / Offshore Safety Training

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–6 years of hands-on rigging, deck or maintenance experience with at least 1–2 years specifically installing and inspecting jacklines/lifelines.

Preferred:

3+ years of jackline or fall-protection specific experience on commercial vessels, yachts, offshore platforms or shipyards.
Experience with formal inspection regimes, load testing, and working with classification societies or flag-state auditors.
Proven track record of safe performance, documented inspections and ability to train others.