The key part of the training was never to find yourself without at least one of two (massive) carabiner clips attached to the ratlines and yourself. You start with both carabiners clipped on, one on each parallel ratline, and, as you ready yourself for the next step up, you unclip the lower carabiner and raise above its corresponding mate on the opposite ratline. In this way, if a ratline fails or the wind comes around and blows you off, or you simple make a misstep, you’re still connected to the ship. A common error, which I avoided, was forgetting to unclip the lower carabiner just as you started your next climbing step up – locking yourself in place. Confusion, panic and calls for help typically follow. I will admit that getting from the ratlines onto the platform was more than a bit challenging because you can’t climb past the platform and step onto it. You have to pull yourself onto it, from below it. “Gotta lose weight, Vin. Really gotta lose weight.”