AB Deck Seamanship & Line Handling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When heaving a line to a dock, what technique helps achieve maximum distance and accuracy?
- Throw the entire coil at once
- Hold half the coil in one hand and swing the throwing portion underhand
- Use a figure-eight coil and throw overhand
- Attach a monkey's fist to a messenger line and throw it (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Attach a monkey's fist to a messenger line and throw it
A monkey's fist weighted heaving line gives the thrower maximum range and accuracy when sending a messenger to the dock.
Question 2: Which knot is most appropriate for temporarily joining two lines of equal diameter under high load?
- Square knot
- Sheet bend
- Carrick bend (Correct answer)
- Bowline
Correct answer: Carrick bend
The carrick bend is preferred for joining heavy hawsers or lines under significant load because it does not jam and is easy to untie after loading.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a 'stopper' when handling mooring lines?
- To prevent the line from uncoiling on deck
- To temporarily hold a line under tension while it is transferred to a winch or bollard (Correct answer)
- To mark the midpoint of a mooring line
- To secure the bitter end of a line
Correct answer: To temporarily hold a line under tension while it is transferred to a winch or bollard
A stopper temporarily takes the load off a mooring line so it can be transferred to a different holding point without losing control of the vessel.
Question 4: When a vessel is moored with spring lines, what primary function do they serve?
- Keep the vessel from drifting away from the dock laterally
- Prevent the vessel from moving ahead or astern along the dock (Correct answer)
- Hold the vessel's bow into the current
- Provide tension to keep the vessel upright
Correct answer: Prevent the vessel from moving ahead or astern along the dock
Spring lines run fore and aft at an angle to the dock to prevent the vessel from surging ahead or astern while moored.
Question 5: What is the correct procedure when a line becomes 'overstrained' on a winch drum?
- Immediately cut the line to prevent damage to the winch
- Add more turns to the drum to increase holding power
- Ease tension carefully by surging the line under controlled conditions (Correct answer)
- Reverse the winch motor to release tension instantly
Correct answer: Ease tension carefully by surging the line under controlled conditions
An overstrained line should be eased by surging under control to reduce tension gradually, preventing parting or winch damage.
Question 6: Which type of synthetic fiber line has the greatest elasticity and is often used as a 'shock absorber' in mooring systems?
- Polypropylene
- Polyester (Dacron)
- Nylon (Correct answer)
- High-modulus polyethylene (HMPE)
Correct answer: Nylon
Nylon stretches up to 40% before breaking, making it ideal as a spring or shock-absorbing element in mooring arrangements.
Question 7: When coiling a left-laid line for stowage, which direction should each loop be made?
- Clockwise (with the lay)
- Counterclockwise (against the lay) (Correct answer)
- Alternating directions each loop
- Direction does not matter for synthetic lines
Correct answer: Counterclockwise (against the lay)
Left-laid line should be coiled counterclockwise to follow its natural lay and prevent kinking or hockles forming in the line.
AB Deck Seamanship & Line Handling 2
When heaving a line to a dock, what technique helps achieve maximum distance and accuracy?