AB Deck Seamanship & Line Handling 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a 'fairlead' on the deck of a vessel?
- To increase mechanical advantage when hauling lines
- To guide a line and change its direction while reducing chafing (Correct answer)
- To store excess line neatly on deck
- To connect two mooring lines end-to-end
Correct answer: To guide a line and change its direction while reducing chafing
A fairlead is a fitting that guides a line in the desired direction and protects it from chafing against deck structures.
Question 2: When tending mooring lines during a vessel's departure, what is a sailor's first priority?
- Let go all lines simultaneously on the mate's order
- Ensure lines are flaked on deck before letting go
- Stand clear of all lines under tension and only let go on command (Correct answer)
- Cut any line that becomes fouled to expedite departure
Correct answer: Stand clear of all lines under tension and only let go on command
Safety is paramount — crew must stay clear of lines under load and only release them when ordered, as a parting line can cause severe injury.
Question 3: Which of the following is the correct definition of a 'bitter end'?
- The end of the anchor chain secured inside the chain locker (Correct answer)
- The working end of a line in active use
- The section of line between two knots
- The end of a line that is spliced to a shackle
Correct answer: The end of the anchor chain secured inside the chain locker
The bitter end is the inboard end of the anchor chain or a mooring line that is secured at the chain locker or vessel's fixed point.
Question 4: What type of splice is used to create a permanent eye at the end of a wire rope or fiber line?
- Long splice
- Short splice
- Eye splice (Correct answer)
- Back splice
Correct answer: Eye splice
An eye splice forms a permanent fixed loop at the end of a line by tucking the strands back into the standing part.
Question 5: When a vessel is lying alongside a dock with current running from aft to forward, which mooring line takes the greatest strain?
- Forward breast line
- After bow spring (Correct answer)
- Forward quarter spring
- After breast line
Correct answer: After bow spring
An after bow spring running aft from the bow resists the current pushing the vessel forward and takes the greatest strain in this scenario.
Question 6: What is the purpose of 'rat guards' placed on mooring lines?
- To prevent lines from slipping off bollards
- To protect lines from chafing on the dock edge
- To prevent rodents from climbing mooring lines onto the vessel (Correct answer)
- To add weight to keep mooring lines in the water
Correct answer: To prevent rodents from climbing mooring lines onto the vessel
Rat guards are cone-shaped metal discs placed on mooring lines to block rodents from using the lines as a bridge to board the vessel.
Question 7: When 'surging' a line on a capstan, what technique is used to control tension?
- Letting the line slip gradually while maintaining friction with hand pressure on the turns (Correct answer)
- Removing turns from the capstan until the line runs free
- Holding the line firmly and allowing the capstan to brake automatically
- Wrapping additional turns to increase friction before releasing load
Correct answer: Letting the line slip gradually while maintaining friction with hand pressure on the turns
Surging means allowing the line to slip in a controlled manner under the crew member's hand pressure on the turns to gradually ease the load.
AB Deck Seamanship & Line Handling 4
What is the primary purpose of a 'fairlead' on the deck of a vessel?