🔍 Key Concepts

• Effect of catenary (the natural sag in a towline) on shock loading in ocean tows • How a towing hawser’s depth in the water affects snubbing and surge forces between tug and tow • Differences between line length vs. attachment point location for reducing dynamic loads

💭 Think About

• In a seaway, what happens to the towline load each time the tug or the tow rides up or down a wave? How does extra sag or depth in the line change that? • Which option best allows the towline to act like a spring or shock absorber instead of a rigid bar between the vessels? • Which choices talk about how the line is run (length/shape in the water) versus where it is attached, and which of those actually changes the dynamic loading?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which choice would allow a catenary curve in the hawser, giving it room to stretch and absorb shock loads. • Eliminate any option that would keep the line too straight and tight between tug and tow in a seaway. • Confirm which option is actually about reducing dynamic strain on the hawser, not just about convenience or attachment location on the tug.