Approved rope, straps or webbing should be used to secure craft during transport and may also be required during operational activities. IRB crew should develop proficiency in tying and using knots.
Ropes, tie-downs and associated devices should be used and stored correctly to improve their reliability and service life. Avoid exposure to fuel, oils, greases or prolonged moisture or sunlight, where possible. Ropes and similar equipment should be wrapped and hung in a well-ventilated area when not in use.
Ratchet straps
These are commercially manufactured webbing straps with a hook at one end and a ratchet device at the other end for tightening and securing the load once the slack is taken up. Care in selection is required, to ensure that the device is suited to the load it is being used to restrain. Care is also required not to over-tighten the strap, otherwise damage to the load may result.
Bowline
The bowline is a versatile knot. It is used to form a temporary loop in a line that may then be put over a piling or cleat. It can also be used to attach a line to an eye. This knot will not slip or jam:
- Start by making an overhand loop that looks like a six.
- With the end of the line, come up through the hole in the six, around the back of the line you’re holding and back down through the hole in the six.
- Grab the part of the line that went up through the hole and the part of the line that came back down through the hole in one hand, and the top of the line you were holding in the other and pull.
Clove Hitch
Commonly used to temporarily tie off to a piling. This knot can come loose. You may add a couple of half hitches to make it more secure.
- Wrap the free end of a rope around a post
- Crossover itself and around the post again
- Slip working end under last wrap
- Pull tight
Fisherman’s Knot
A fisherman’s knot is used to attach a rope to a ring, hook, anchor, or other object. It can also be used to join two ropes together that will be under tension.
- Hold two ropes. Hold one in your right hand and one in your left hand. Hold the ropes 30 cm from the ends. Face your pointer finger and thumb towards each other as you hold the ropes.
- Tie a knot in the rope that is in your right hand. Make a loop around the rope in your left hand and cross the rope. Wrap one end back up and pull tightly. This is an overhand knot, but it is around the left rope.
- Repeat the second step for the second rope in your left hand. Make a loop with the left-hand rope around the right-hand rope and wrap one end of the left hand through the loop. Pull tight. You now have your second overhand loop in your second rope. The ropes should be joined with two knots– one created with the right rope and one created with the left rope
- Hold on to each end of the ropes and pull. This will move the two knots towards each other and give you a secure hold.
Reef Knot
A reef knot should be used only to tie the ends of two lines or cords of equal size together, both ends of which are under tension. It is not recommended for general marine work.
- Tie two over hand knots. First, right over left and twist. Then left over right and twist
- Make sure both parts of the rope exit the knot together
Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
Used to permanently tie off to a piling, mooring or ring. Take a full turn around the object being tied to and take two half hitches around the line itself. Pull over and up through and under and down through.
- Start by wrapping the line around the object to which you are tying the knot. Continue in the same direction to make a second loop by circling the object
- Pass the working end over the standing end. Then pass it back through the loop or space formed between the two ends to make a half hitch
- Repeat, passing the working end over the standing end and back through the loop or space to make the second half hitch
- Pull the ends to tighten
Sheepshank
This knot is used for shortening a line (e.g., when towing).
- Make a left hand loop and a right hand loop. Add two bends between.
- Pass bend one through the left hand loop and bend two through the right hand loop.
- Pull the free ends of the rope in opposite directions.