BCM BASICS - KNOTS, BENDS, LINE Flashcards
Common Knots and Purposes
Square Knot (aka, Reef)
Used to adjoin two lines of EQUAL size and circumference.
Double Becket Bend
Used to adjoin two lines of UNEQUAL size and circumference.
Bowline
Used to create a temporary eye in a line.
Clove Hitch
preferred for securing a heaving line to a towline. Best-all-around knot for securing a line to a ring or spar.
Slip-Clove Hitch
Used in lieu of a Clove Hitch, temporarily secure a line around a round object such as a railing with quick release. Commonly used for stowing fenders or lines.
Cats-Paw
Used when creating a bridle to create a center connection point.
Find the centerline, grab the line with both hands, make two twists and bring the hands together.
Bonus can be adjoined with a double becket bend if nylite shackle is missing or damaged.
What is the weakest point of a line?
The Knot or Splice.
Reduces breaking strength of a line by as much as 50-60%
Which is stronger, Knot vs. Splice.
a Splice is stronger.
Treated as temporary because they decrease the strength of a line.
Knots.
Treated or preferred for a permanent function in a line and minimize strength of the line.
Splicing or Seizing.
Running End
Parts of a Line
aka Bitter End, or the free end of a line. The end that the line is worked with.
Standing Part
Parts of a Line
is the long unused end or belayed end of a line. Remaining part including the end.
Overhand Loop
Parts of a Line
loop made in a line by crossing the bitter end over the standing part.
Underhand Loop
Parts of a Line
loop made in a line by crossing bitter end under standing part.
Bight
Parts of a Line
half loop formed by turning the line back on itself (a bend in the line, looks like a horse shoe)
Turn
Parts of a Line
A turn is a single wind or bight of a line, laid around a belaying pin/post/bollard.
Round Turn
Parts of a Line
complete turn or encircling of a line about an object, not to be construed with a single turn.
Hitch, “Half-Hitches”
used to temporarily secure a line to and object such as a ring or eye.
Rolling Hitch (Stopper)
used to attach one line to another, where second line is under strain and cant be bent, such as a mooring line under stress.
Timber Hitch
used to secure a line to: Logs, Spars, Planks, or other rough surfaced material.
Not to be used on pipes or metal objects.
Single Becket Bend (Sheet Bend)
Used to lengthen a line by bending one to another. Used normally to join line of same size or nearly the same. Temporary.
Monkey’s Fist
Normally only authorized for use at Heavy Wx/Surf Units. Creates a weighted “ball” at the projected end of a heaving line.
Figure Eight Stopper
overhand knot with and extra twist. Will prevent the end of a line from feeding through a block or fairlead.
Surgeons Knot
only knot that approaches 100% line strength. Used to join lines of equal or unequal diameters and of different material.
Crown Knot
used to prevent an unwhipped line from unlaying (fraying)
State all Common Knots and Bends commonly used by Boatcrew.
Bowline Clove Hitch Half Hitch Slip Clove Hitch Square Knot (Reef) Surgeon's Knots Single Becket Bend Double Becket Bend Timber Hitch Rolling Hitch(Stopper) Cats-Paw Crown Knot
Common Line Material
Synthetic Polypropylene,
Non-Synthetic,
Natural Fiber
Characteristics of Polypropylene material.
Floats, Medium Strength.
Makes up all swimming tender lines, heaving lines, life ring lines.
Characteristic of Natural Fiber
Will swell in size when wet, which can be used for damage control plugging. Does not give or stretch (hence why it’s used for litter). Strong and coarse. Commonly found on tending lines of stokes litter, DC kits, and furnishing.
