Navigation and Seamanship (1+1)

Knots

Types of Knots

Knots are used to form eyes or to secure a line around a cord or subject. A knot involves the use of only out rope.

The following are the common and useful knots:

1. Overhand knot: It is formed by passing the end of the line over the standing part and through the eye. Used for temporarily whipping a rope or for providing footholds in a life line.

2. Square knot (Reef knot): The square or reef knot has a multitude of uses. Chiefly in lashing situations where the line is passed around an object and secured. This knot is also called as square knot. On boats it is used to tie reefs into sails and for many other comparable purposes like lacking sail covers and lashings. It is the best knot for these application. The process of tying the reef knot correctly involves making two overhand knots that are mirror images of each other. Right over left followed by left over right results in the reef knot. It has a multitude of uses, chiefly in lashing situations where the line is passed around an object, heaved taut and secured.

3. Figure ‘8’ knot

May be used for providing foot holds in the life lines of a life boat davit. It is used to prevent a line rove through a block from unreeving. It can also be used temporarily to keep an unwhipped the line from unlaying.

4. Sheepshank knot

Used for temporarily shortening a rope, or for strengthening the damaged portion of a rope. It is used to shorten a rope or to compare and compensate for a weak spot in a time. The weakened spot should be in the centre of the 3 parallel parts. It is used to shorten a rope or to compensate for a weak spot in a line. The weakened spot should be in the centre of the three parallel parts.

5. Bow line(also called as ‘BOWLIN’).

A very useful knot whenever it is desired to make a temporary eye at the end of any rope. This is the most versatile knot aboard ship and almost everywhere else. It is the best knot for putting a fixed loop in the end of a rope because it never slips or unties itself. Yet it is easily untied regardless of the load it has carried. The major use of bowlines is to make a loop which will be placed over a piling, cleat or other solid object after it has been tied. Bowlines can also be tied with the loop already in place around a high piling. The bowline is the basis of some satisfactory methods of bending ropes together. The bends, however are weaker than bowline, the double bowline method may be the strongest way of joining lines, short of splicing.

6. Running bowline

Used when a running eye is needed

7. Bow line on the bight

Used in an emergency like a bosuns’ chair for lowering a man. The man sits on a longer bight and puts the smaller bight under his arm. It is employed whenever a loop is needed such as in making a temporary eye in a mooring line.

8. French bow line

- May be employed to send a man over the side to work when he may have to use both hands or it can be employed to hoist an unconscious man. The man sits in one lye, and the other goes around his body.