The roots of rope access can be traced back to the age of sail, particularly during the 16th through 19th centuries when tall ships ruled the seas. These majestic vessels, with their towering masts and complex rigging, required constant maintenance to keep sails trimmed and rigging secure for long voyages.

One critical tool for sailors working aloft was the boatswain’s chair — a simple wooden or metal seat attached to a rope system. The boatswain, or bosun, who was the ship’s senior deck crew member responsible for equipment maintenance, used this chair to safely ascend the mast and work at height.

How It Worked:

• The boatswain’s chair was hoisted by crew members on deck, allowing the boatswain to be suspended comfortably and securely while performing repairs, rigging adjustments, or sail work.
• This setup freed the boatswain’s hands, enabling more precise work than climbing the rigging unaided.
• The system also provided a degree of safety: the boatswain could be lowered or raised smoothly, avoiding precarious climbing risks.

The HMS Victory

One notable historical reference comes from the famous British warship HMS Victory, Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). During battle preparations and repairs, the bosun and his team used boatswain’s chairs to climb the towering masts amidst challenging conditions.

An anecdote passed down recounts how the bosun, suspended on his chair, had to quickly repair a torn sail during a fierce storm. His ability to stay secured and work efficiently in the chair likely saved the ship from greater damage. This early use of rope suspension was critical for the ship’s operational readiness and crew safety.

Transition to Land-Based Industrial Use

With the Industrial Revolution, rope access techniques migrated from ships to land-based applications:

• Bridge Maintenance: As steel bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge (completed 1883) rose, inspectors and workers needed ways to access difficult spots. Early rope and chair techniques, adapted from maritime practice, were used to inspect cables and rivets.
• Skyscraper Construction: In the early 20th century, skyscraper window washers adopted rope suspension methods. For example, when the Empire State Building was built (completed 1931), specialized crews cleaned windows using rope descent systems reminiscent of the boatswain’s chair, though with evolving harness designs.
• Telegraph and Telephone Linemen: Linemen climbing poles to maintain wires used similar rope techniques for access and safety.

The Rise of Modern Rope Access (Late 20th Century)

Modern rope access began to take shape in the 1970s and 1980s, driven by a need for safer, more efficient work at height in industries like oil and gas, construction, and maintenance.

• Improved Equipment: The simple boatswain’s chair gave way to full-body harnesses, engineered ropes, and mechanical devices such as descenders, ascenders, and friction brakes.
• Safety Standards: The Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) was founded in 1988 in the UK by companies seeking to formalize training, certification, and safety standards.
• Global Spread: Soon after, the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) was established in North America in 1996, promoting similar

The Petronas Towers

In the 1990s, during construction and ongoing maintenance of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, rope access teams were employed extensively. The towers, among the

tallest in the world at the time, required inspection and cleaning of their reflective glass facade.

Rope access technicians rappelled thousands of feet down the sleek surfaces, working suspended only by ropes and harnesses, applying methods evolved from those original boatswain’s chairs centuries earlier. Their work combined historical rope techniques with modern engineering to ensure safety and efficiency at dizzying heights.

Summary

From the simple wooden seat hoisted by sailors on tall ships to the advanced harnesses and mechanical devices used today, rope access has a rich heritage of innovation and adaptation. The boatswain’s chair was the first step in a long journey toward safer, more effective work at height — a journey still unfolding in industries worldwide.

High above the storm, suspended by trust and skill, the boatswain’s chair was the sailor’s promise— that no height was too great when courage and rope held firm.