USCG Exam PracticeMarlinespike seamanship — knots, splices, line care
A mooring line made fast to bitts must be surged to ease the vessel away from the pier. Which sequence correctly describes making a line fast to bitts in a manner that permits surging?
- A. Cleat the line to the forward bitt with a clove hitch, then back with two half hitches.
- ✓ Take a round turn on the after bitt, then figure-eight across both bitts, finished so the line can be surged or slipped.Correct
- C. Drop the eye over the forward bitt and secure the standing part to the after bitt with a square knot.
- D. Lead the line through the chock, take three figure-eights on the after bitt only, and cleat hard.
Why B is correct
NAVEDTRA 14067 §4-1 specifies that a line is made fast to bitts by taking a round turn on the after bitt then figure-eights across both bitts, finished so it can be surged or slipped. Cleating hard or using a square knot would prevent controlled surging and could result in the line parting rather than being eased.
Cited:NAVEDTRA 14067 §4-1