AB Marlinspike Seamanship and Knots 5

Question 1

A 'rolling hitch' is most useful when you need to:

Accepted Answer

Attach a line to another line under load so it won't slide

Answer

The rolling hitch grips a loaded spar or line and resists sliding in one direction, making it ideal for relieving tension on another line.

Question 2

Polyester (Dacron) line is preferred over nylon for running rigging because it:

Accepted Answer

Has very low stretch, maintaining precise sail trim

Answer

Polyester's minimal stretch keeps running rigging responsive and prevents sails from losing shape when loads change.

Question 3

When a fiber rope has been overloaded beyond its elastic limit, the correct action is to:

Accepted Answer

Remove it from service and inspect or replace it

Answer

Overloading permanently damages fiber alignment and internal structure, so the rope should be retired from critical use.

Question 4

Which hitch is best used to temporarily attach a line to a spar or rail for hoisting, where the pull is in-line with the spar?

Accepted Answer

Timber hitch

Answer

The timber hitch (and a half hitch forward) wraps around and grips a spar under in-line tension, tightening as load increases.

Question 5

The term 'lay' of a rope refers to:

Accepted Answer

The direction and pitch of the twist of the strands

Answer

Lay describes whether strands are twisted right-handed (clockwise) or left-handed (counter-clockwise), and the tightness of that twist.

(AB) Able Seaman Exam Practice Test