Issues with Java Web Start and Safari

I have a Java webstart application, fully signed, and it has been deployed live for over a year now. We have never been able to get it to work with Safari for some reason. Actually, I have not been able to get any JAWS application working with Safari.

Internet searches are spotty and I can’t seem to nail down why Safari has issues with web start.

EDIT
Here is the java stack trace from the Java console in Safari. Please understand that the Java Web Start application works correctly without any issues in Firefox, IE, Chrome, etc.

Java Plug-in 1.6.0_29
Using JRE version 1.6.0_29-b11 Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM
User home directory = C:\Users\strings




----------------------------------------------------
c:   clear console window
f:   finalize objects on finalization queue
g:   garbage collect
h:   display this help message
l:   dump classloader list
m:   print memory usage
o:   trigger logging
p:   reload proxy configuration
q:   hide console
r:   reload policy configuration
s:   dump system and deployment properties
t:   dump thread list
v:   dump thread stack
x:   clear classloader cache
0-5: set trace level to 
----------------------------------------------------

load: class com.novel.tech1.client.JAWSApplication not found.
java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: com.novel.tech1.client.JAWSApplication 
    at sun.applet.AppletClassLoader.findClass(Unknown Source)
    at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)
    at sun.applet.AppletClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)
    at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(Unknown Source)
    at sun.applet.AppletClassLoader.loadCode(Unknown Source)
    at sun.applet.AppletPanel.createApplet(Unknown Source)
    at sun.plugin.AppletViewer.createApplet(Unknown Source)
    at sun.applet.AppletPanel.runLoader(Unknown Source)
    at sun.applet.AppletPanel.run(Unknown Source)
    at java.lang.Thread.run(Unknown Source)

Due to the limitations mentioned here, I've avoided the built-in AppletViewer of Java Web Start. As an alternative, consider the hybrid applet/application approach shown here, which works in Safari, et al. Note that the request for access to your computer can be safely denied, as the applet runs correctly in the sandbox.