bowline knot

8/6/2019 Bowline Knot

1/13

LOOP KNOTS:LOOP KNOTS: A loop knot, like a hitch,A loop knot, like a hitch,fastens a rope to another object. A loop knot may be tied infastens a rope to another object. A loop knot may be tied in

the hand and then placed over the object, while a hitch isthe hand and then placed over the object, while a hitch istied directly to the object. However, since a loop knot istied directly to the object. However, since a loop knot is

generally a more secure and permanent type of knot, agenerally a more secure and permanent type of knot, a

marine technician should be proficient at tying these knotsmarine technician should be proficient at tying these knots

around or to the object when necessary. When a loop knotaround or to the object when necessary. When a loop knotis properly tied and drawn tight, it will not slip. Also, since itis properly tied and drawn tight, it will not slip. Also, since it

does not lose its shape the same knot may be used manydoes not lose its shape the same knot may be used many

times over. With that being said however,times over. With that being said however, if the loop isif the loop is

intended to be permanent a splice is stronger and safer.intended to be permanent a splice is stronger and safer.

The only loop knots you are required to learn for this classThe only loop knots you are required to learn for this classare bowlines. We will differentiate our loop knots by twoare bowlines. We will differentiate our loop knots by two

subsub--categories: the categories: the endend--ofof--thethe--line bowlinesline bowlines and the and the

middlemiddle--ofof--thethe--lineline--bowlinesbowlines..


2/13

Bowline:Bowline: The bowline knot is certainly the primary or basic knotThe bowline knot is certainly the primary or basic knotof sailors and/or marine technicians. The bowline is commonly referred toof sailors and/or marine technicians. The bowline is commonly referred to

as the King of Knots and it is the most useful way to form a loop in theas the King of Knots and it is the most useful way to form a loop in theendend--ofof--aa--rope. Though simple in construction, it never slips or jams andrope. Though simple in construction, it never slips or jams and

after severe tension has been applied, wet or dry, a simple push of theafter severe tension has been applied, wet or dry, a simple push of the

finger will loosen it enough to easily untie it. The bowline is tied by formingfinger will loosen it enough to easily untie it. The bowline is tied by forming

an overhand loop, through which the working end of the line goes up froman overhand loop, through which the working end of the line goes up from

the back, around the standing part, and back down through the formedthe back, around the standing part, and back down through the formed

loop. If you plan to tie the bowline to a ring or other object you should passloop. If you plan to tie the bowline to a ring or other object you should passthe working end around or through the object before passing it up throughthe working end around or through the object before passing it up through

the overhand loop. A sequential tying procedure is shown on the followingthe overhand loop. A sequential tying procedure is shown on the following

slide. Note the difference between the standard bowline and a leftslide. Note the difference between the standard bowline and a left--handedhanded

bowlinebowline both are acceptable, although the leftboth are acceptable, although the left--handed version has ahanded version has a

slightly lower efficiency.slightly lower efficiency.Standard Bowline

Left-Handed Bowline

Working end finished to left of loopWorking end finished in center of loop


3/13

Tying the Bowline:Tying the Bowline:

Left-Handed Bowline Sequence:

1 2 3

1 2 3

4

5

6

Completed Bowline

Pass the working end

through the ring.

Make an overhand loop

in the standing part.

Pass the working end up from

the back and through the overhand loop.

Continue with the working end

around the standing part (4)andback down through the overhand

loop (5-6).


4/13

Double Bowline:Double Bowline: The double orThe double orFrench BowlineFrench Bowline is also anis also anendend--ofof--thethe--line bowline. It is especially advisable to use this bowline as aline bowline. It is especially advisable to use this bowline as a

sling when lowering or hoisting a person as it allows a person to use bothsling when lowering or hoisting a person as it allows a person to use both

hands and is virtually impossible for ahands and is virtually impossible for a conscious personconscious person to drop out of thisto drop out of thistype of sling. A person sits in one of the loops, passing the other looptype of sling. A person sits in one of the loops, passing the other loop

about their chest and back under the armpits. The persons weight in oneabout their chest and back under the armpits. The persons weight in one

loop draws the other loop under the arms taut. When used for making aloop draws the other loop under the arms taut. When used for making a

bridle, any number of loops may be formed. To tie, start with an overhandbridle, any number of loops may be formed. To tie, start with an overhand

loop exactly as in the ordinary bowline. The difference being that you passloop exactly as in the ordinary bowline. The difference being that you pass

the end through the overhand loop twicethe end through the overhand loop twice making two lower loops. Themaking two lower loops. Theend is then passed behind the standing part and down through the firstend is then passed behind the standing part and down through the first

loop again as in the ordinary bowline. A sequential tying procedure isloop again as in the ordinary bowline. A sequential tying procedure is

shown on the following slide.shown on the following slide.

Correctly Tied

Double Bowline

End

1st. Lower Loop

2nd. Lower Loop

Overhand Loop

Standing

Part


5/13

Tying the Double Bowline:Tying the Double Bowline:1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Correct Double Bowline

Make the first loop exactly as in the

ordinary bowline.

After passing the end through the

overhand loop make another lower loop.

Pass the working end up from

the back and through the overhand loop.

Continue with the working end around

the standing part and back down through

the overhand loop .

Draw the knot

tight.


6/13

BowlineBowline on aon a Bight:Bight: The bowline on a bight is formedThe bowline on a bight is formedon the bight of a line when the ends are inaccessible (middleon the bight of a line when the ends are inaccessible (middle--ofof--

thethe--line). If dealing with an unconscious victim during rescueline). If dealing with an unconscious victim during rescuework, one leg is put through each loop and the bight is passedwork, one leg is put through each loop and the bight is passed

under the arms. This is also an excellent knot to use with the endunder the arms. This is also an excellent knot to use with the end

of the line as a cincher. A sequential tying procedure is shownof the line as a cincher. A sequential tying procedure is shown

below and on the following slide. This knot will not slip if tiedbelow and on the following slide. This knot will not slip if tied

correctly.correctly.

Completed Bowline on a Bight

1 2 3 4

Form a bightMake an overhand

loop, as if the bight

were an end.Pass the bight up through

the overhand loop as ifyou were tying a standard bowline.


7/13

BowlineBowline on aon a BightBight continuedcontinued::5

6 7

8

Check the completed bowline

on a bight by grabbing the

standing parts and pushing

down on the overhand loops

section. A correctly tied knot

will not capsize or slip.

Correctly tied Bowline on a Bight

Standing

parts

Overhand loops section

After bringing

the bight up through

the overhand loop (4)pass the bight down (5)

and over the two

loops (6) formed by

the bowline on a

bight. Position the

bight behind the

standing parts (7) prior

to drawing the knot up.

4

When drawing up the

bowline on a bight, grasp

the overhand loop at

their junction (8) and pull

the two loops downward.

Pull the loops downward.


8/13

Spanish Bowline:Spanish Bowline: The Spanish bowline is anotherThe Spanish bowline is anothermiddlemiddle--ofof--thethe--line bowline that can be used for water rescue.line bowline that can be used for water rescue.

Although it is generally better suited for hoisting long objects in aAlthough it is generally better suited for hoisting long objects in ahorizontal position or rigging a bridle. Either loop may be usedhorizontal position or rigging a bridle. Either loop may be used

independent of the other and the loops will not slip if properlyindependent of the other and the loops will not slip if properly

tied. It is tied in four steps utilizing three initial loops. The centraltied. It is tied in four steps utilizing three initial loops. The central

large loop is bent over the side loops. A sequential tyinglarge loop is bent over the side loops. A sequential tying

procedure is shown below and on the following slide.procedure is shown below and on the following slide.

Top and Bottom view of a correctly tied Spanish Bowline

Prepare three initial loops in the middle of the line.

1 2

3

Step 1


9/13

Spanish BowlineSpanish Bowline continuedcontinued:: 3 ThreeLoops4

5

6

7

8

Correct Spanish Bowline

Step 2 sequence

Step 3

Step 4 sequence

Bend the larger central loop over the side loops.

After bending the central loop over the side loops,

pull the side loops up and over so a portion of thecentral loop is centered under each of the side loops.

Reach into each of the side loops and pull

a section of the central loop out of each one.


10/13

Slipped Knots:Slipped Knots: Slipped knots are simply variations ofSlipped knots are simply variations oftraditionally tied knots which incorporate a slipper for quicktraditionally tied knots which incorporate a slipper for quick

and easy release. Use slipped knots only if the situation orand easy release. Use slipped knots only if the situation or

conditions dictate it. Several examples are shown below butconditions dictate it. Several examples are shown below but

they represent only a few of the many variations that can bethey represent only a few of the many variations that can be

used with a slipper.used with a slipper.

1

2

1

2

1

23

1

2

3

Ordinary Bowline Slipped Bowline

Slippery Reef KnotSlippery Overhand

Slipped Clove Hitch


11/13

Shrimpers Bag Knot:Shrimpers Bag Knot: This knot, also referred to as aThis knot, also referred to as aCodCod--End Knot,End Knot, is the most common type ofis the most common type of aa slipped knotslipped knotused by fisheries technicians. It is designed to secure the codused by fisheries technicians. It is designed to secure the cod--

end or tailbag of a trawl during towing. When the trawl isend or tailbag of a trawl during towing. When the trawl is

retrieved, the tailbag can easily be untied with the added weightretrieved, the tailbag can easily be untied with the added weight

of the catch bearing down on the knot. If tied correctly, this knotof the catch bearing down on the knot. If tied correctly, this knot

will not jam. A sequential tying procedure is shown below and onwill not jam. A sequential tying procedure is shown below and on

the following slide.the following slide.Correctly Tied Cod-End Knot

Minimum of Six Slip Overhands

Start with a turn or the preferredround turn around the cod-end.

Cod-end of trawl

A turn

A round turn

After the round turn insert a slippery

overhand knot (1). Continue the slipknots by inserting alternate bights into

the slippery bights(2).

1

2


12/13

Shrimpers Bag KnotShrimpers Bag Knot continued:continued:

The Shrimpers Bag Knot is complete once you have inserted

a minimum of six slippers. Let the ends drag freely when

finished. Do not lock up the knot by inserting an end through

a bight.

Insert bight from

section previously

pulled.

Pull section of line opposite

from section of inserted bight.

Once the trawl has been retrieved the knot can be easily untied by applying equal pressure on each of the lines.

Pull each line equally


13/13

Running Bowline:Running Bowline: The running bowline isThe running bowline ismerely a standard bowline made around the standingmerely a standard bowline made around the standing

part of a rope to form a running noose or lasso. It ispart of a rope to form a running noose or lasso. It isvery reliable and runs freely on the standing part tovery reliable and runs freely on the standing part to

cinch down on an object.cinch down on an object.

1 2 3 4

5 6

Standing Part

Standing Part

Standard bowline tied

with the loop around

the standing part. If you

want more resistance on

the slip portion, simply

pull the loop tighter against

the standing part.

Loop of

standard

bowline.

Slip portion

of running bowline

bowline knot

Documents