It's advisable to hand your gear up to a waiting Boatsman when seas are rough or when the ladder is not so good. Instead of making him lean waaaay down, or making him try to locate a black handle on a black BC... why not loop some 1" nylon webbing onto it- put another LARGE loop on the grabbing end. Hand him the loop, then you hold and push up on the butt of the tank. Don't be under the tank in case it falls. Use your head- but not as a battering ram! It is also excellent for looping around an anchor "down line" so you can maintain a safety stop and not touch the icky rope. Lots of uses, including it is easier to tow somebody with one of these if they need help.
