MSC-132: MSC-132: Introduction, Plain Introduction, Plain Whipping, Loops, Turns & HitchesWhipping, Loops, Turns & Hitches

•This presentation is designed to be used as a study companion to lectures, labs and handouts given in Fishing Gear Technology I. Advance each slide by clicking on the left mouse button. To go back to a previous slide, click the right mouse button and choose “previous”from the menu. Good Luck!

Introduction Introduction Proficiency in working with and understanding the uses

of various ropes is vital for Marine Technicians to adequately perform their duties.

Generally speaking, knots are divided loosely into four classes:– Bends are used to fasten (bend) two ropes ends together.– Hitches are used to secure a rope, either end or bight, to a

hook, ring or spar.– Knots are tied with the end of a rope, or on the bight, or upon

its own standing part.– Ornamental Knots are practical or decorative knots frequently

used at the end of lines or sennits to form stops or grips.

Marlinespike SeamanshipMarlinespike Seamanship

Prior to beginning your practice session read the entire handout “Knots, Splices, and Rope”.

Understanding the terminology used in handling and tying rope will provide the foundation for discussing, studying and working with ropes.

During testing, you will be responsible for tying each individual bend, hitch or knot within 30 seconds.

Overview Overview The key to understanding and developing a

“feel” for knot tying is practicing on a regular basis with the intent of the knot fully recognized.

Begin by learning the parts of a line or section of rope.

Bends

Loop Knots

Splices

Simple

KnotsHitches

PracticePracticePractice

Terms

NeedIntro.

Always remember the “intent” of the bend, hitch or knot Always remember the “intent” of the bend, hitch or knot when practicing. Very seldom will you have both ends of when practicing. Very seldom will you have both ends of the rope in “real life situations”. Practice as if your rope the rope in “real life situations”. Practice as if your rope were 60 foot rather than 6 feet. When you were given your were 60 foot rather than 6 feet. When you were given your practice rope you were shown how to apply a “plain practice rope you were shown how to apply a “plain whipping” to one end (next slide). Always use this marker whipping” to one end (next slide). Always use this marker

to signify the “working end”.to signify the “working end”.

Working End*Indicated by Whipping for Practice.

Bitter End

*Indicated by NO Whipping for Practice.

Standing Part

Bight

Plain Whipping: Plain Whipping: The end of a rope should always be The end of a rope should always be

bound or whipped to prevent it from fraying. The easiest whipping bound or whipped to prevent it from fraying. The easiest whipping to apply is the “plain whipping” although it may undo itself over to apply is the “plain whipping” although it may undo itself over time. We will show the more reliable “Sewn Whipping” in a future time. We will show the more reliable “Sewn Whipping” in a future lesson. A whipping should end at least one inch from the end of a lesson. A whipping should end at least one inch from the end of a rope and the minimum length should be equal to the diameter of rope and the minimum length should be equal to the diameter of the rope on which it is applied. A whipping approximately three the rope on which it is applied. A whipping approximately three times the diameter of the rope or two whippings a short distance times the diameter of the rope or two whippings a short distance apart would be best. A sequential application procedure is shown apart would be best. A sequential application procedure is shown below and on the following slide.below and on the following slide.

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Cut a piece of good quality twine (nylon, treated)of an appropriate diameter for the rope you areusing. Lay the twine on the rope with the bight toward the end as shown above. Start the procedureof applying recurrent turns toward the bight of thetwine (2-3). After completing the length of whipping desired place the working end through the bight (4).

Finishing the Plain WhippingFinishing the Plain Whipping

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Completed Plain Whipping

1 to 3 timesDia. of rope

1” min.

After passing the working end of the twinethrough the bight, draw up the bight by pullingthe other end of the twine (5). Secure the whipping by hiding the bight in the center of the whipping (6).Finish the whipping by cutting both ends of thewhipping as close as possible without injuringany twine or rope fibers (7-8).

Pull this end to draw up the bight.

Working End

Bight

Bight hidden in centerof the whipping.

Loops:Loops: Simple loops are important because many Simple loops are important because many knots use a loop as the first step.knots use a loop as the first step.

Cross the working end over the standing part to make an Overhand Loop

Cross the working endunder the standing part to make an Underhand Loop

Overhand Loop Underhand Loop

Position of the standing part and/or working end is a function of use.

Turns: Turns: Many knots also use turns as a first step in Many knots also use turns as a first step in tying. Turns can also be used independently to tying. Turns can also be used independently to control the weight or pull of an object at the other control the weight or pull of an object at the other end.end.

Incorrect

Jam Turn Correct

Working End under the Standing Part

Working End over the Standing Part

A Turn

A Round Turn

Direction (over or under) is a function of use

Hitches:Hitches: Generally used as a speedy, temporary Generally used as a speedy, temporary

means of fastening to an object with relatively high means of fastening to an object with relatively high efficiencies.efficiencies.

Single Half Hitch

Fairly Reliable: Put the end at the bight of the standing part.

These half hitches are untrustworthy unless you seize the end to the standing part.

End

Standing Part

Two Half Hitches:Two Half Hitches: Serve a variety of purposes such Serve a variety of purposes such as securing the end of a rope to a ring or spar.as securing the end of a rope to a ring or spar.

Incorrect

Note the 2nd half hitchbreaks back against itselfcreating a larks head not two half hitches.

Correctly Tied

Note the 2nd half hitchcontinues its rotation inthe normal direction creatingtwo half hitches.

Round Turn with Two Half Hitches: Round Turn with Two Half Hitches: The The round turn which starts this knot is better than a simple round turn which starts this knot is better than a simple turn due to its ability to resist slipping.turn due to its ability to resist slipping.

Round turn was started by passingthe working end under the spar.

Round turn was started by passingthe working end over the spar.

Both examples are correct.

Clove Hitch: Clove Hitch: A quick, simple method of fastening A quick, simple method of fastening a rope around a post, spar or stanchion. Commonly a rope around a post, spar or stanchion. Commonly referred to as the “general utility hitch”. It has a referred to as the “general utility hitch”. It has a tendency to slip when used at the end of a rope, so tendency to slip when used at the end of a rope, so allow an ample tag at the end.allow an ample tag at the end.

Correct Clove Hitchviewed from both sides of the post or stanchion

Incorrect

Quick Check: An incorrect clove hitchwill become an overhand knot when the working end is pulled. A correctclove hitch will always retain the clove hitch look.

Rolling Hitch: Rolling Hitch: Superior to a clove hitch on a Superior to a clove hitch on a towing cable or mooring line when the pull on the towing cable or mooring line when the pull on the standing part is along or nearly parallel to the cable or standing part is along or nearly parallel to the cable or line being pulled. line being pulled. *Note:*Note: The pull is in an opposite The pull is in an opposite direction from the half hitch. A sequential tying procedure direction from the half hitch. A sequential tying procedure is shown on the following slide.is shown on the following slide.

Correct Rolling HitchIncorrect

Direction of Pull

Directionof Pull

Rolling Hitch SequenceRolling Hitch Sequence: Make a jam turn followed : Make a jam turn followed by a second turn in the same direction over the by a second turn in the same direction over the standing part and finish with a half hitch in the same standing part and finish with a half hitch in the same direction.direction.

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4Direction of Pullwith Standing Pt.

Standing Part

Timber Hitch:Timber Hitch: A s A simple hitch which does not jam and imple hitch which does not jam and comes undone readily when the pull ceases. It is used to comes undone readily when the pull ceases. It is used to hoist or tow cylindrical objects. It should be used in hoist or tow cylindrical objects. It should be used in conjunction with two or more half hitches which are made conjunction with two or more half hitches which are made with the standing part of the rope after the timber hitch with the standing part of the rope after the timber hitch has been completed. A sequential tying procedure is has been completed. A sequential tying procedure is shown on the following slide.shown on the following slide.

Timber Hitch

Two Half Hitches

Standing Part

Timber Hitch Sequence:Timber Hitch Sequence: Pass the working end of a rope Pass the working end of a rope around the cylindrical object and take a turn around the standing around the cylindrical object and take a turn around the standing part. Then, as shown in photo 2, twist or turn the end back on part. Then, as shown in photo 2, twist or turn the end back on itself. Three turns are generally sufficient, however larger objects itself. Three turns are generally sufficient, however larger objects may need more turns. The turns should follow the lay of the may need more turns. The turns should follow the lay of the

rope.rope.

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Working End

Roll the half hitches into thestanding part and slide themover the cylindrical object. You will not have an end towork with when completing these half hitches.Keep tension on the timber hitchwhen tying the half hitch. Standing Part Keep tension on hitches

Completed Timber Hitch

Standing Part

Hook Hitches:Hook Hitches: You are required to know two different You are required to know two different

hitches for attaching a rope or line to a hook.hitches for attaching a rope or line to a hook.

The The Single Blackwall HitchSingle Blackwall Hitch consists of a half hitch consists of a half hitch crossed through a hook. This is a quick, temporary method of crossed through a hook. This is a quick, temporary method of handling a light load if the tension is never allowed to slacken.handling a light load if the tension is never allowed to slacken. The The double blackwall is more secure than the single blackwall hitch.double blackwall is more secure than the single blackwall hitch.

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Standing Part -Tension should notbe allowed to slacken.

Working End

Correctly AppliedSingle Blackwall Hitch

Standing Part

Working End

Incorrect Single Blackwall Hitch

*Note Working EndOver the Standing Part

*Note Standing Part Overthe Working End

Correctly AppliedDouble Blackwall Hitch

Catspaw:Catspaw: This hook hitch is the one generally tied in a This hook hitch is the one generally tied in a sling or continuous length of rope. Unlike the blackwall hitch, the sling or continuous length of rope. Unlike the blackwall hitch, the catspaw can be used for heavy hoisting. To make, take two catspaw can be used for heavy hoisting. To make, take two bights in the rope and twist in opposite directions. Then bring bights in the rope and twist in opposite directions. Then bring the loops together and pass over the hook.the loops together and pass over the hook.

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Catspaw with loadapplied on standing part.

Catspaw beforeapplying load.

Catspaw when usedin the middle of a ropewith an equal load on each side.

Twist both bightsequally.

Minimum of two twists,more if needed.

Sheepshank:Sheepshank: Used for shortening a rope for temporary Used for shortening a rope for temporary use or for taking the strain off a damaged section of rope when use or for taking the strain off a damaged section of rope when time does not permit the immediate replacement of the damaged time does not permit the immediate replacement of the damaged rope. More secure when seized. A sequential tying procedure is rope. More secure when seized. A sequential tying procedure is shown on this and the following slide.shown on this and the following slide.

Damaged area of ropeor length to be shortened.

Roll a half hitch over one of the bights

Position the rope.1

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4Repeat sequence 2 & 3 for the other bight.

Bight

Bight

The The Sheepshank Sheepshank must have a constant strain must have a constant strain applied or it could easily become untied. The applied or it could easily become untied. The sheepshank should have a seizing applied whenever sheepshank should have a seizing applied whenever possible.possible.

Strain

Strain

Two Different Methods of Seizing a Sheepshank

Completed Sheepshank

Cleat Hitch: Cleat Hitch: This hitch-to-cleat procedure is a This hitch-to-cleat procedure is a simple, useful and reliable method to make fast a working simple, useful and reliable method to make fast a working line or line end. Start with a turn around the cleat, then go line or line end. Start with a turn around the cleat, then go around the cleat so that the line passes under each horn around the cleat so that the line passes under each horn once (more if necessary). Finish with a half-hitch over one once (more if necessary). Finish with a half-hitch over one horn. You will have many opportunities to practice the horn. You will have many opportunities to practice the cleat hitch under the guidance of your Boat Handling/ cleat hitch under the guidance of your Boat Handling/ Seamanship (MSC-122) instructor.Seamanship (MSC-122) instructor.

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Completed Cleat Hitch

Vessel

Where to Get More InformationWhere to Get More Information

Piloting – Seamanship & Small Boat Handling, Chapman, Charles

Handbook of Knots, Graumont, Raoul Modern Rope Seamanship, Jarman, Colin & Beavis, Bill Handbook for Riggers, Newberry, W.G. Fisherman’s Workbook, Prado, J. Pocket Handbook of Knots and Splices, Wall Industries

Books:

Electronic Media:

http://www.animatedknots.com/