🔍 Key Concepts

• Typical applications of wire rope on towing vessels and barges • Differences between stern wires, face wires, jockey wires, backup wires, and main towing hawsers • Why wire rope is preferred over other materials (like synthetic line) in high-load towing situations

💭 Think About

• For each option, picture a towboat pushing or pulling a barge: where would heavy loads and chafe make wire rope the best choice? • Ask yourself which of the listed uses actually involve high, repeated towing loads that benefit from wire rope’s strength and durability. • Consider whether the question is asking for a single typical use or whether wire rope is commonly used in several of the listed roles in real towing practice.

✅ Before You Answer

• For each choice, decide: is this a situation where crews usually want maximum strength and resistance to abrasion? • Think about whether nylon or other synthetic line is more common in any of these roles, and why. • Before choosing, check if more than one option correctly describes a real-world use of wire rope on towing vessels.