How to Tie A Bosun's Chair

Emily and Josh will be going over how to tie a bosun's (Boatswains') chair. A bosun's chair also known as a french bowline is a knot you can try around yourself if you find yourself without an actual bosun's chair seat or a climbing harness to get yourself up the mast! This video covers how the knot is used during sea scout competitions such as Southwestern Rendezvous and the Ancient Mariner Regatta. Below we have taken the event description out of the Ancient Mariner Regatta Manual so that it may help clarify how sea scouts use this knot at competitions:

This event is a relay. All competing Scouts start lined up at attention. On the word “Go!” the clock will start, two Scouts enter the hoisting area, one ties a French Bowline around himself, the other may help if necessary. The knot must be a proper French Bowline as shown in the Sea Scout Manual. The remainder of the ship may cheer, but may not assist or coach regarding the knot. Scouts while being hoisted must sit on one loop and be held by the French Bowline such that one line to passes around the waist, at least belt high, and the other under the buttocks. The tail, or bitter end, must extend at least 6” beyond the knot. If in doubt on the safety of a knot, a Judge may
stop time to examine it. He must require an unsafe knot to be retied, and timing continues during retying. The Scout going aloft may not push or step off their partner or any other object. Together, the two Scouts hoist until a block approximately 20’ above the ground is touched, at which point the
hoisted Scout shall yell “Touch!” and the clock will stop. A successful touch is touching the block, its supporting hardware, or the beam. The Scout aloft shall lower him or herself carefully to the ground, hand-under-hand, with the Scout on the ground holding and keeping a strain on the line. The time descending is not counted. Time will start again when the Scout aloft touches the ground or the Scouts touch each other (pushing the
knot is acceptable). Scouts then exchange positions and repeat the operation. When the first pair completes the event the clock continues to run; they must step out of the hoisting area prior to the second pair entering and repeating the entire evolution. The clock will stop when the last knot is
untied, the team is back at attention, and the Coxswain calls “Attention!” Talking is permitted. The team may arrange the line to its satisfaction before starting. No knots may remain in the line at the conclusion of the event. Teams will be disqualified for any safety violation at the discretion of the judges. Please note that safety is of the essence at all times, but especially during lowering. Teams will be disqualified if the scout aloft is to descend in any manner other than hand underhand. Teams will be disqualified for any unsafe behavior and for not following the judge’s instructions or these written instructions.

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