How to Lash a Rope Ladder

If you need to stow a rope ladder, it should be rolled up and lashed--either for storage or lashed in place to be used in the future, a process called "tricing up," that had many uses aboard a sailing ship, from lashing furled sails to the yard arm to securing ones bunk and bedding upon arising. Still used aboard modern ships, a rope ladder lashed to a rail might represent a chance for life for those in peril of the sea just as a rope ladder lashed for storage is a sign of a well-run vessel.

Things You'll Need

  • Lashing lines, 2 each
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Lash a rope ladder to for storage by laying two lashing lines on a flat surface, parallel to each other. Lashing lines are pieces of rope about 3 feet long and made of nylon or natural fiber rope. Usually 1/2 inch diameter, they have an eye splice on one end and a back splice on the other end.

      Roll up the rope ladder and lay across the lashing lines, perpendicular to each.

    • 2

      Pick up backsplice of one lashing line with one hand and the eye splice of the lashing line with the other hand. Bring the back splice to and up through the eye splice.

    • 3

      Carry the back splice behind the eye splice, continuing to pull the back splice until the lashing tightens around the rope ladder. Then, carry the back splice back to and down through the eye splice. Pull the back splice through the eye splice until the lashing is tight and secure.

    • 4

      Repeat the process with the other lashing line.

    • 5

      Lash a rope ladder to a rail using three lashing lines. Hold the top rung of the ladder to the rail, wrap the lashing line around the rail and the top rung of the rope ladder and secure the lashing line. Use three lashing lines to lash a rope ladder to the rail.