BCM BASICS - KNOTS, BENDS, LINE

Question 1

Square Knot (aka, Reef)

Answer 1

Used to adjoin two lines of EQUAL size and circumference.

Question 2

Double Becket Bend

Answer 2

Used to adjoin two lines of UNEQUAL size and circumference.

Question 3

Bowline

Answer 3

Used to create a temporary eye in a line.

Question 4

Clove Hitch

Answer 4

preferred for securing a heaving line to a towline. Best-all-around knot for securing a line to a ring or spar.

Question 5

Slip-Clove Hitch

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Cats-Paw

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What is the weakest point of a line?

Answer 7

The Knot or Splice.

Reduces breaking strength of a line by as much as 50-60%

Question 8

Which is stronger, Knot vs. Splice.

Answer 8

a Splice is stronger.

Question 9

Treated as temporary because they decrease the strength of a line.

Answer 9

Knots.

Question 10

Treated or preferred for a permanent function in a line and minimize strength of the line.

Answer 10

Splicing or Seizing.

Question 11

Running End

Parts of a Line

Answer 11

aka Bitter End, or the free end of a line. The end that the line is worked with.

Question 12

Standing Part

Parts of a Line

Answer 12

is the long unused end or belayed end of a line. Remaining part including the end.

Question 13

Overhand Loop

Parts of a Line

Answer 13

loop made in a line by crossing the bitter end over the standing part.

Question 14

Underhand Loop

Parts of a Line

Answer 14

loop made in a line by crossing bitter end under standing part.

Question 15

Bight

Parts of a Line

Answer 15

half loop formed by turning the line back on itself (a bend in the line, looks like a horse shoe)

Question 16

Turn

Parts of a Line

Answer 16

A turn is a single wind or bight of a line, laid around a belaying pin/post/bollard.

Question 17

Round Turn

Parts of a Line

Answer 17

complete turn or encircling of a line about an object, not to be construed with a single turn.

Question 18

Hitch, “Half-Hitches”

Answer 18

used to temporarily secure a line to and object such as a ring or eye.

Question 19

Rolling Hitch (Stopper)

Answer 19

used to attach one line to another, where second line is under strain and cant be bent, such as a mooring line under stress.

Question 20

Timber Hitch

Answer 20

used to secure a line to: Logs, Spars, Planks, or other rough surfaced material.

Not to be used on pipes or metal objects.

Question 21

Single Becket Bend (Sheet Bend)

Answer 21

Used to lengthen a line by bending one to another. Used normally to join line of same size or nearly the same. Temporary.

Question 22

Monkey’s Fist

Answer 22

Normally only authorized for use at Heavy Wx/Surf Units. Creates a weighted “ball” at the projected end of a heaving line.

Question 23

Figure Eight Stopper

Answer 23

overhand knot with and extra twist. Will prevent the end of a line from feeding through a block or fairlead.

Question 24

Surgeons Knot

Answer 24

only knot that approaches 100% line strength. Used to join lines of equal or unequal diameters and of different material.

Question 25

Crown Knot

Answer 25

used to prevent an unwhipped line from unlaying (fraying)

Question 26

State all Common Knots and Bends commonly used by Boatcrew.

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Common Line Material

Answer 27

Synthetic Polypropylene,
Non-Synthetic,
Natural Fiber

Question 28

Characteristics of Polypropylene material.

Answer 28

Floats, Medium Strength.

Makes up all swimming tender lines, heaving lines, life ring lines.

Question 29

Characteristic of Natural Fiber

Answer 29

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.