Bad angular alignment puts a bending load on the end of the swage fitting. Ask your local rigging shop about any unusual signs of corrosion, stress, or cracks in terminals. Lifelines Please note that special care must be taken for plastic-coated cables. Commonly used for lifelines, this is a construction of wire rope with a coating of hard, white vinyl. This cable has been carefully engineered to be durable even when exposed to saltwater.
Good brands incorporate ultraviolet stabilizers to deter solar degradation.
Avoid cleaning plastic coated cable with chemical cleaners unless you are sure they will not cause damage. Never use kerosene - it will dilute and spread the stain. Running Rigging Don't be fooled by the high-tech, lightweight features of your running rigging. Halyards, sheets, guys, and vangs are subjected to enormous abuse. They are generally turned around winches, subjected to extreme loads, and often used in applications where cyclical loading is the norm.