AB Marlinspike Seamanship and Knots 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 'cleat hitch' is used to:
- Secure a line to a cleat quickly and reliably (Correct answer)
- Join two lines together
- Form a loop that won't slip
- Attach a line to a ring bolt
Correct 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.
Question 2: What is 'worming' a rope?
- Filling the grooves between strands with small stuff (Correct answer)
- Removing kinks from a line
- Treating rope with preservative
- Unraveling the strands to inspect for damage
Correct 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.
Question 3: What is the primary advantage of a 'double sheet bend' over a single sheet bend?
- Greater security and resistance to slipping (Correct answer)
- Easier to untie under load
- Works better with lines of equal diameter
- Faster to tie
Correct 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.
Question 4: Chafing gear is applied to a mooring line to:
- Protect it from wear where it passes over rough surfaces (Correct answer)
- Increase the line's breaking strength
- Prevent the line from stretching
- Make the line easier to handle
Correct 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.
Question 5: A 'running bowline' is essentially a bowline used to:
- Create a sliding noose around an object (Correct answer)
- Secure a line to a ring that can't be opened
- Join two lines end to end
- Attach a block to a spar
Correct 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.
Question 6: Which type of rope construction has the greatest resistance to kinking?
- Braided (braid-on-braid) (Correct answer)
- Three-strand laid
- Eight-strand plaited
- Wire-core fiber rope
Correct answer: Braided (braid-on-braid)
Braided lines have no inherent twist, so they do not kink when coiled or under load changes.
Question 7: When should a wire rope be condemned and replaced?
- When it has more than the allowable number of broken wires per lay length (Correct answer)
- When it shows any surface rust
- After any single use at maximum rated load
- When it becomes wet
Correct 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.
AB Marlinspike Seamanship and Knots 3
A 'cleat hitch' is used to: