Problem solved. Here's how we did it.
Found an extendable boat hook. It extended to a total of 11 feet. I then took a metal coat hanger, cut it and straightened it. I put a small hook at either end. The entire coat hanger was then duct taped to the end of the boathook. One of the hooks was inserted into the soft shackle loop which was jammed at the crane at the top of the mast. The other loop kept the coat hanger from being pulled away from the duct tape on the boat hook. It worked like a charm. I'm now keeping the boat hook and the coat hanger aboard, ready for the next call.
