Marlinspike Seamanship and Knots Flashcards

A 'cleat hitch' is used to:

Answer: Secure a line to a cleat quickly and reliably

The cleat hitch is the standard method for securing a line to a deck cleat on a vessel.

What is 'worming' a rope?

Answer: Filling the grooves between strands with small stuff

Worming fills the valleys between strands with small cordage to create a smooth, round surface before parceling and serving.

What is the primary advantage of a 'double sheet bend' over a single sheet bend?

Answer: Greater security and resistance to slipping

The double sheet bend adds an extra tuck, providing greater holding power especially in slippery or wet synthetic lines.

Chafing gear is applied to a mooring line to:

Answer: Protect it from wear where it passes over rough surfaces

Chafing gear such as canvas or rubber wrapping protects lines from abrasion at chock or fairlead contact points.

A 'running bowline' is essentially a bowline used to:

Answer: Create a sliding noose around an object

A running bowline ties a bowline around the standing part of its own line, creating a loop that slides to form an adjustable noose.

Which type of rope construction has the greatest resistance to kinking?

Answer: Braided (braid-on-braid)

Braided lines have no inherent twist, so they do not kink when coiled or under load changes.

When should a wire rope be condemned and replaced?

Answer: When it has more than the allowable number of broken wires per lay length

Wire rope is typically condemned when the number of broken wires in one lay length exceeds the allowable limit specified by OSHA or the manufacturer.