Knots, Bends and Hitches
- Knots - are tied to the end of a rope, or in a rope; using only the rope itself.
It is a term for anything that is not a hitch, bend or splice. - Bends - are used to join two ropes together, i.e.: sheet, carrick.
- Hitches - are used to secure a rope to a spar, ring or hook i.e.: clove, timber, rolling.
| NAME | USAGE | APPLICATION ON SHIP | |
| Figure of Eight Knot |
|
A stopper knot | For stopping a rope unreeving through a block or to temporarily stop a rope from fraying. |
| Reef Knot |
|
To Join two pieces of rope of equal thickness Should never be used to join ropes that will be under load |
To secure furled canvas (because of the ease with which it may be spilled). Also used for finishing off the racking on a turned up hawser. |
| Round Turn and two Half Hitches |  |
Securing to a spar shackle or ring | Securing the head rope of a ship's boat to the ring of a buoy.
A very useful general-purpose hitch to a spar or ring. |
| Rolling Hitch |  |
Securing a rope to a spar or another rope where a sideways pull is expected | Securing ropes that have lateral pull e.g. heaving line to the picking up rope, gun line on the messenger when returning gear after a refuelling at sea (RAS), fastening a line to a spar. |
| Clove Hitch |  |
Securing a rope to a spar or rail |
Securing items that hang vertically, e.g. paint kettles/ fenders attached to guardrail stanchions, fastening a rope to a spar, securing ratlines to the shrouds. |
| Sheet Bend |  |
To join two ropes of unequal thickness |
Securing the boat's painter to the Jacob's Ladder on a boom, for joining two ropes of different sizes, in bending small sheets to the clews of sails, in bending flags to halyards where snap hooks are not fitted. |
| Double Sheet Bend |  |
As above but more secure | For securing the boat's painter to the lizard on a boom, joining ropes together when they are not too large, especially when they are of different sizes. |
| Timber Hitch |  |
For securing a rope to a spar, bale or bundle for lifting | A quick way of securing a rope temporarily around a spar or timber. Much used in handling cargo.
Add an additional half turn round the spar when the pull on the spar is lateral |
| Bowline |  |
For making a temporary eye in the end of a rope | Securing the heaving line to the eye of the hawser, for tying around a person's waist whilst
using a lifeline, e.g. when aloft, or when making a temporary eye in a rope. It does not slip or jam and can be cast loose instantly, as the tension is released |
| Fisherman's Bend |  |
Securing boats anchor line to the anchor | Securing a boat's anchor cable to the anchor, making a buoy rope fast to a buoy.
The greater the pull on the rope, the more tightly the parts of the bend are jammed against the anchor ring. |
| Heaving Line Knot |  |
Provides a temporary weight to the end of a heaving line, as a quick alternative to the Monkey's Fist. |
If you want to learn more about knots why not visit The International Guild of Knot Tyers
