Even after the students have been trained in the use of a safety harness, they still face one more challenge before they can be cleared to climb the rigging.

Under close adult supervision, our new crew members climb a few feet above the deck and perform a "hang test," hanging just by their hands for a few seconds. This lets us know that the climbers can support their own weight, and lets them know how tightly they need to grip the shrouds (the thick, black, upright lines in the standing rigging) to maintain their hold just in case they ever slip.

All crew members must complete harness training, and must wear a harness whenever their feet leave the deck (including, for example, climbing out onto the main channels).