A key press facilitates securing a shackle assembly used for connecting chains, buoys, and other devices used for watercraft applications. The shackle assembly includes a shackle, a bolt, and a split key. The shackle has two shackle legs with openings. The bolt includes a shaft with a distal end having a slot. The split key has two split key legs extending from an enlarged rounded end. The key press includes a receptacle and a wedge head having an apex. The shaft of the bolt is passed through the shackle leg openings and then the split key legs are passed through the slot. The distal end of the bolt is the placed into the receptacle. The wedge head is lowered until the apex is placed between the split key legs which are then bent away from each other so as to secure the shackle assembly.

A pin assist device that eliminates the need to use a separate tool to insert and/or extract a cotter, or other fastening, pin. The pin assist device allows the user to easily insert or extract a pin in locations that are difficult to reach, in all types of weather and virtually all conditions. Related pin assist devices, hitch pins, and hitch pin assemblies are also disclosed.

A crimping mechanism includes an actuator having a reciprocating element and a crimping element attached to the reciprocating element. The actuator is positionable with respect to a fastener and a pin mounted on a sub-assembly so that the crimping element is movable in a direction toward the fastener so as to produce a first crimp in an associated first portion of the pin by bending the first portion of the pin along a first portion of the fastener.