You have been towing astern and have just let go the tow. Your deckhands are pulling in and faking the towline by hand on the stern. The most dangerous action to take is to __________.
• Propeller wash and suction near the stern when engines are used • How relative motion of the vessel affects slack or bight of line on deck • Risk of crew being dragged overboard or crushed if the line suddenly comes tight
• Think about which engine command most increases the chance that the towline could suddenly tighten or move unpredictably while it is on deck and in the crew’s hands. • Consider how the direction of thrust at the stern changes when you go from ahead to astern or stopped, and how that affects a loose line in the water or over the stern. • Ask yourself: which option gives the deckhands the most stable, predictable situation with the least change in forces on the towline?
• Identify which actions significantly change propeller thrust direction while crew are working the line at the stern. • Evaluate which choices increase risk of the line running out again or getting sucked toward the propeller. • Confirm which option would minimize sudden load or movement on a towline that is being pulled in and faked down by hand.
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