Securing lines


The world of leisure seafaring abounds in sloppy practice when it comes to securing lines. Shorelines in particular are often abused, leading to awkward handling and potentially dangerous situations. The way to get it right is not to stick slavishly to some specific system. There is more than one right way to do things. The important thing is to approach each situation with the attitude, ‘What am I trying to achieve here? What could go wrong? And how can I make sure it doesn’t?’ Generally, the answers to these questions come down to two golden rules: • Once secure, it must be impossible for the rope to slip, or even to come adrift altogether.


• When the time comes to ease or release the rope, it must be easy to do so under complete control, regardless of the load to which it has been or is being subjected.


Securing to a cleat


The ideal scenario • Make sure that the rope is leading ‘fair’ onto the cleat, as in ‘A’. This will enable it to run under control. If you force it around as in ‘B’, it can jam as you try to ease it, and may even lock up altogether.


• Having taken almost a full turn, lay on a figure of ‘8’ as in ‘C’.


• Follow this with a second figure of ‘8’, then wrap a round turn around the whole cleat. ‘D’. The line is now ‘secure’ if the cleat is for mooring, or ‘belayed’ if it is a running rigging such as a sheet or halyard.


Belaying pins


The traditional belaying pin relies on the same principles as the cleat, but it is somewhat easier to use and generally gives plenty of space on the pin to hang the coiled rope on if required.


Locking hitches


Notice that no locking hitches ‘E’ have been used in this classic belay. Traditionally, their use was frowned upon because wet natural-fibre cordage shrank and could end up locked semi-permanently. This is not so with modern ropes provided the hitch is made properly. If additional security is required — perhaps to prevent the possibility of a sea washing the rope off a cleat — there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t use one.


E


A locking hitch can also save the day where a cleat is too small to take a full ‘belay’.


To make a locking hitch, first lay on at least one of the usual figures of ‘8’. As you go for the second (or ideally third), turn the rope over so that the working end comes out from beneath the last turn, as shown ‘E’. The complete hitch should follow the neat figures of eight underneath it. If laid on the wrong way round, it not only looks unseamanlike, it is also less secure.


Resist any temptation to use a locking hitch without at


figures of ‘8’ between it and the load. Clapping one on immediately after the first half-turn can give rise to a serious lock-up. Using more than one is a waste of time that might delay the release of a line needed in a hurry.


least 11/2 C D


AB


48 | MANUAL OF SEAMANSHIP


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