AB Marlinspike Seamanship and Knots Questions and Answers

Question 1

A seaman needs to join two ropes of significantly different diameters. Which of the following knots is most suitable for this purpose?

Accepted Answer

Sheet Bend

Answer

Square Knot

Answer

Bowline

Answer

Clove Hitch

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of 'whipping' the end of a fiber rope?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the end from fraying or unraveling

Answer

To make the rope easier to coil

Answer

To increase the rope's breaking strength

Answer

To form a temporary loop

Question 3

While mooring, you are instructed to 'flemish down' the excess line on deck. What are you being asked to do?

Accepted Answer

Coil the line into a neat, flat spiral on the deck

Answer

Throw the end of the line overboard

Answer

Secure the line to a bitt with extra turns

Answer

Fake the line in long, flat bights

Question 4

Which part of a line is referred to as the 'standing part'?

Accepted Answer

The main part of the line not involved in forming the knot

Answer

The free end used to form the knot

Answer

The loop or curve formed in the line

Answer

The final tuck of the line that secures the knot

Question 5

You need to secure a mooring line to a standard horned cleat on the dock. Which of the following describes a key step in tying a proper cleat hitch?

Accepted Answer

Making one or more figure-eight turns around the horns

Answer

Making several quick, simple loops over one horn

Answer

Finishing the hitch with a square knot around the base

Answer

Tying a bowline around the entire cleat assembly

Question 6

A permanent loop is required at the end of a wire rope sling for lifting. Which method of forming an eye is created by unlaying the rope into two parts, looping them in opposite directions, and then laying them back together before securing with a sleeve?

Accepted Answer

Flemish Eye

Answer

Turnback Eye

Answer

Hand-Tucked Splice

Answer

Bowline on a bight