the line-throwing gun line. In mooring, it is used when
CAUTION
the heaving line or bolo will obviously not be effective.
No synthetic line, other than four-strand
aramid line, may be used as a mooring line
without having a tattletale cord attached. The
CAUTION
tattletale cord shows line handlers when the
line is stretching toward its safe working load
The line-throwing gun may not be loaded
and to the danger point. Since four-strand
until it is actually needed. When the gun is
aramid fiber rope stretches only 6 percent at
loaded, it must bepointed outboard, barrel up.
minimum breaking strength, tattletale cords
cannot be used to determine the strain on these
DECK MACHINERY
mooring lines. Do not use a tattletale with
natural-fiber rope.
When the sea detail is set and the line-handling
stations are manned, it is important to test the capstans
Mooring Line Delivery Lines
and gypsy heads. The anchors will also be made ready
to let go. This is done for emergencies on approach, or
Since mooring lines are usually too heavy to heave
an anchor can be used as a poor-man's tug when laid
properly, lighter weight lines are thrown from the ship
underfoot in a mooring evolution. Anchors and
to the pier and used as delivery lines to pull the mooring
anchoring are covered in chapter 7 of this manual. Once
lines from the ship to the pier. These lines include
the capstans and gypsy heads are satisfactorily tested,
heaving lines, bolos, and line-throwing gun lines. The
the mooring lines may be fairled to power if desired
speed with which the lines are sent to the pier is often
critical, especially in strong winds or currents.
FENDERS
HEAVING LINES.--A heaving line is basically a
The main purpose of fenders is to protect the ship
line that is thrown by hand from the ship to the pier. It is
from contact with the pier or another ship.
important to have more than one heaving line on station.
A second heaving line should be made up and kept ready
The most common ship fender is a pneumatic
to throw in case the first throw fails. Once the heaving
fender made of rubber, about 4 feet long and 3 feet in
line is successfully cast to the pier, it can be bent to the
diameter. It should be positioned amidships at the
mooring line needed first. All mooring lines larger than
extreme beam. This fender is normally the only one the
5 inches must have messengers of 1 1/2 inches in
ship rides against when it is
circumference, and 12 to 18 inches long attached to
them so that the heaving line does not part during
alongside of another ship. A number of additional
delivery to the pier.
fenders, depending on the size and type of ship, are kept
ready on the forecastle and on the fantail. These are
BOLO.--In addition to the heaving lines, it is
normally smaller pneumatic fenders or homemade
useful to have bolo lines ready, both fore and aft.A bolo
manila fenders about 4 feet long and 1 foot in diameter.
consists of a padded weight attached to the end of a
nylon shot line. An experienced, skillful sailor can
COMMANDS TO LINE
throw a bolo twice the distance of a heaving line, and
HANDLERS
because of its size and weight, a bolo is more effective in
the wind. However, a bolo can be very dangerous,
Commands to a ship's line handlers originate on the
especially when large numbers of people are on the pier
bridge. These commands must mean the same thing to
With its size and speed of delivery, a bolo could
the line handlers as they do to the originators on the
seriously injure someone who happened to be in its way.
bridge. Further, the commands must be carried out
For this reason, its use is discouraged and sometimes
immediately. Therefore, the more common commands
prohibited by some commanding officers.
have been standardized. The following examples and
LINE-THROWING GUN LINE.--A third
definitions are in common use and form the basis for
delivery line, also posing danger to those on the pier, is
orders to line handlers:
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