🔍 Key Concepts

• Role of back‑up (safety) wires in towing operations • Difference between primary towing gear and secondary/backup gear • How towing forces and failures are managed for safety

💭 Think About

• If the main towline or connection fails, what is the specific job of the back‑up wire? • Does a back‑up wire normally carry working load, or is it mainly there for emergencies? • Would a back‑up wire be designed to regularly share the tow load, or to keep control of the tow if something parts?

✅ Before You Answer

• Clarify whether back‑up wires are intended for normal load distribution or emergency retention • Think about what mariners mean by "factor of safety" in rigging and towing contexts • Decide if each option describes a primary function of a back‑up wire, or just a possible side effect