🔍 Key Concepts
• Towing astern places high, steady loads on the towline over long periods
• Each line material (nylon, manila, polypropylene, polyester) has different strength, stretch, and shock-absorbing properties
• Too much stretch in a towline can be dangerous if the line parts and snaps back
đź’ Think About
• Think about which material has the right balance of strength and controlled stretch for a long, steady tow, not just shock-absorbing ability
• Consider what can happen in a towing operation if the line stretches a lot, then parts suddenly—how does that affect crew safety?
• Ask yourself which materials are most commonly used today in professional towing operations for the main hawser, and why
âś… Before You Answer
• Compare which material has very high stretch, which has moderate/low stretch, and which is natural fiber
• Consider which materials float and which sink, and whether that matters for towing astern in open water
• Verify in your study materials which synthetic fiber is noted as preferred for towing hawsers due to its strength, lower stretch, and durability