Dave -- Not only do we sing shanties without accompaniment, we sometimes sing solo forebitters without choruses in the same manner. Furthermore, instruments are only permitted for the accompaniment of songs, and then only at the request of the singer.

With regard to your advisory , I shall make sure to bring the belaying pins. Should the "Session Police" make an appearance, we can show them new uses for banjos, fiddles and whistles.

Thanks for the warning -- Tom