(nautical) A stay (rope, bar or batten), running along a ship's yard, to which is attached the head of a square sail.
(nautical) A cable between two ships or from a ship to a fixed point which can be used to support a load during transfer of personnel or materiel along the cable.
(nautical) A line (rope, webbing or cable), attached to a boat at the ends, to which a safety harness can be clipped to restrain falling in rough conditions and to prevent falling overboard.
(underwater diving) A line fixed at both ends, which may be used to guide a load or a diver along the route of the line. Uses include guidance to and from the underwater work site, and as a means of controlling an underwater search.
Examples
Fuel transfer is accomplished by suspending a hose from a tensioned cable, the jackstay, which runs from RFA Fort Victoria to the receiving warship.
The jackstay was torn from his grasp, and he fell, face downward, into the black void beneath.
Men and material are transported between the two ships using a Jackstay Serial or a ropeway pulley system.
