Tying a Quick Release Knot
 | Flood Rescue Boat Operation - Australian Emergency Manual (Natural Disaster Organization, 121 p.) |
(introduction...)
5.05 Rope is in common use in FRBs and a knowledge of ropes and knots is essential for boat crew. Details of rope construction, care and maintenance and various knots are given in the Australian Emergency Manual- Disaster Rescue. Some of the rope work skills specific to FRB operation follow.
Belaying
5.06 BELAYING
When a rope is cast off while still under strain it cannot be secured with a bend or a hitch, except perhaps a slipping one. It is therefore belayed to a fitting made for the purpose, such as a cleat or bollard. The action of belaying consists of taking sufficient turns round the fitting to hold the rope by friction existing between rope and fitting. A wet and slippery rope or bollard, or a smooth cleat and a well worn rope, may require extra turns.
Belaying to a Cleat or Bollard
5.07 BELAYING TO A CLEAT OR BOLLARD
To belay a rope to a cleat or bollard, take initial turns as shown in Figs 5:10 and 5:11 then continue with figure-of-eight turns round the horn of the cleat or bollard as many times as required. When the figure-of-eight turns are removed the rope is ready for casting off at a moments notice; therefore the turns should not be completed with a half hitch, because this may jam them. Cleats are not suitable for belaying wire rope.
Figure 5:10 Belaying a Rope to a Cleat
Figure 5:11 Belaying a Rope to a Bollard
Rope Stowage
5.08 ROPE STOWAGE
Whenever possible rope should be stowed so as to keep the deck clear and the rope dry.
Quick-Release Knots
5.09 QUICK-RELEASE KNOTS
The Sheet Bend, Bowline and Clove Hitch are three main knots which can be released quickly by using a bight instead of an end in the last phase of tying them. Such knots will hold a steady strain. These quick-release knots must not be used for life rescue situations.
Figure 5:12 Quick-Release Knots.
Monkey's Fist
5.10 MONKEY'S FIST
This is used to weight the end of a heaving-line so that it will carry when thrown against the wind. It takes from 2 to 3 metres of line and is made as follows:
a. wind three turns round the hand;b. pass a second set of three turns across and round the first three, in the direction indicated by the arrows;
c. pass a third set of three turns across the second set, but inside the first set and in the direction shown by the arrows so that the end comes out alongside the standing part; and
d. to finish the knot, work all parts taut and splice the end into the standing part alternatively, tie an overhand knot in the end and complete it by tucking it inside the 'Monkey's Fist', then work all parts taut as before (see Figure 5:13).
Figure 5:13 Monkey's Fist
Heaving-Line Knot
5.11 HEAVING-LINE KNOT
This knot is used as an alternative to the Monkeys Fist and is quickly and easily made. Form a bight about 1.5m long at the end of the line. Start frapping the end round both parts of the bight at about 20 cm from the actual bend of the bight, and continue until it is all but used up. Then pass the end through the small loop left and haul on the standing part (see Fig 5:14).
Figure 5:14 Heaving-Line Knot
Heaving-Lines
5.12 HEAVING-LINES
As its name implies, a heaving-line is a light flexible line that can be thrown. It is used as a messenger to pass heavier lines from boat to shore, or vice versa and boat to boat (see Fig 5:15).
Figure 5:15 Throwing a Heaving-Line
Throwing a Heaving-Line
5.13 THROWING A HEAVING-LINE
A heaving-line consists of approximately 30 metres of 10mm cordage. To prepare a line for throwing, 22 to 24 metres should be coiled carefully in the left (non-throwing) hand, using small coils. One third of the line is taken in the right (throwing) hand; the line is then thrown with right arm straight, and it must be allowed to run out freely from the coil in the left hand. The most frequent cause of bad casts is failure to have this coil properly clear for running (see Fig 5:15).
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