Gary,
The base of the mast should also be secured to the perch on the main beam while raising and lowereing the mast. So, this safety attachment serves many purposes. I have seen other brands of catamaran without this safety feature injure people while raising and lowering the mast, mast base into the face. Once I saw the top of a mast go into the windshield of a parked car while a beach cat sailor was attempting to raise the mast and the base slipped out of control and the top came down into the windshield of a car parked behind.
Bill