FTV Tying Knots and Splices

Walking around on the ship you can't help but notice there are quite a few ropes lying around, Actually on a ship they are not called ropes, they are called lines, and we use them for everything. For example, we tie the ship up in port with mooring lines, and we secure cargo and equipment with them,  To make the line useful we have to be able to tie different kinds of knots depending on what we are doing with the line. We also have to be able to make different kinds ends on the lines depending on what we are using them for.

To know how to do all of this the freshmen cadets take a class on campus and then on the ship. In this class cadets learn how to tie knots that can be used as stoppers, tension knots, rescue knots, temporary eyes, and adjustable eyes. They also learn about splicing. Splicing is when you take the ends of the line and weave them back into themselves to fraying. Splicing is a skill used to make an eye at the end of the line to loop it on to something so you can attach it to something.

The purpose of this knot class is to instill the practical uses of line which will be used for the rest of the cadets careers. While many schools will teach based of academics, here at the Academy we teach hands on skills used in many careers.

In the picture below an MMA Professor is teaching cadets to tie a square knot, that can be easily pulled apart by applying a lot of tension. 

Here is a picture of a cadet tying a bowline, which is a knot that creates a temporary eye.

Until Next time!

Courtney

On large vessels Like the Kennedy use two lines that are parallel ("doubled up") for safety. The following diagram shows a typical arrangement:

Large Ship Mooring Lines 

A. Bow Line
B. Forward Bow Spring
C. Forward Breast Line
D. After Bow Spring
E. Forward Quarter Spring
F. Quarter Breast Line
G. After Quarter Spring
H. Stern Line

Simple knot tying 
Reef, Bowline, and the Figure Eight
Make a version of an Incan knot-tying tool for recording information. 
JUST YOUR BASIC KNOTS 
Knot-Tying Games and Activities 
For fun: How-To: Sailor’s Knot Bracelets