a sailing ship's standing rigging is made up of the ropes used to support the masts, yards and booms. most modern sailing vessels use wire rope for the standing rigging. modern standing rigging is regularly checked for tension using a special gauge. adjusting the tension is done by use of a turnbuckle. ropes, wires or rods that run fore-and-aft along the centerline which stabilize the masts or spars are called stays. those that from the mast to the bow are called forestays. those that run from the mast to the stern are called backstays.