🔍 Key Concepts

• Look at how the tow would behave if the towboat puts engines astern and the whole tow starts moving backwards. • Identify which connection between units is designed to be in tension when backing, actually pulling one barge with another. • Distinguish between lines that hold the tow side‑to‑side (breasts/springs) and the one that directly transmits reverse thrust between the head barges.

💭 Think About

• Imagine the towboat backing: which barge will feel the pull first, and which fitting must then pull the other barge along? • Compare the direction of each line or fitting (A, B, C, H, I). Which one is oriented so that when the tow backs, it will be pulled tight in line with the direction of motion, rather than just keeping the barges snug together sideways? • Which items (H and I) clearly connect the towboat to the outer barges, and which items (A, B, C) are specifically connecting one barge to another to share the load when going astern?

✅ Before You Answer

• Make sure the item you choose actually connects barge to barge, not towboat to barge. • Verify that the line or fitting would be loaded in tension along the fore‑and‑aft direction when backing down, not just across the tow. • Confirm that the remaining lines are primarily breast/spring lines for lateral control, not the main path for transmitting astern thrust between the barges.