Navigation and Seamanship

3.1.4.1. Operation of lead line

· The leadsman takes his place at the bow of a boat.

· Secure himself with “ breast band” (a wide strip of canvas used like a seat belt )to avoid from falling overboard.

· The leadsman lean forward and swing his lead . Coil the spare line in your other hand, free for running

· When you can swing the lead, and the force is great enough,

· Then swing the lead in a complete circle and throw it as far forward as possible let go of the lead as it swings forward at a point about level with the deck .As the ship moves ahead, heave in the spare line rapidly. (This will facilitate the lead to resting on the bottom and the line tight, when the vessel is directly over the lead.)

· The leadsman can feel that line has reached the bottom by the sudden slack felt in the line.

· Pickup the slack quickly and as the ship moves ahead, the lead will come directly under you.

· See how much of the line is immersed and call out the sounding.

· At three fathoms, the leadsman shout , " By the mark five," in sixteen fathoms, "By the deep sixteen." He also calls halves and quarters of fathoms i.e.," And a half six,'' for six and a half fathoms, "A quarter less six," for five and three-quarters.

· Recoil quickly in your left hand in anticlockwise direction, it being a left handed rope. Recover the lead, cut out the arming and sent it to the Officer on the bridge. Get ready for the next cast.

· Wax filled hollow at the base of the lead will bring particles of bottom materials (mud, sand, or shingle) to know about the nature of the bottom of the sea.