🔍 Key Concepts

• Shock-loading and how it affects the towline in heavy seas • The effect of hawser length on catenary and elasticity of the tow • How catenary (the natural sag in the line) helps absorb sudden loads

💭 Think About

• Think about what happens to the towline when the tug and the tow move out of phase in heavy seas—does a longer or shorter line give more time and space to absorb motion? • Consider which choices would make the towline act more like a shock absorber versus a rigid bar. • Ask yourself: does increasing or decreasing catenary generally increase the ability to cushion jerks in the line?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which option would increase the system’s ability to absorb energy (stretch/sag) instead of transmitting it instantly. • Eliminate any choices that would make the line more tight and straight, as that usually increases shock-loading. • Check your understanding that more catenary and/or length typically means more ‘spring’ in the system, and less catenary means more direct shock.