A line throwing apparatus on a ship is primarily used to establish a connection between a vessel and another ship, the shore, or a person in distress, enabling rescue operations, towing, and mooring assistance. It’s a critical piece of safety equipment designed to launch a weighted line over a distance.
On This article we will walk you through the key things you need to know as a cadet about line throwing apparatus. ranging from the main purposes, How it works and how to throw it on a windy time.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
The Main Purposes:
Rescue Operations:
The apparatus is crucial for rescuing individuals who have fallen overboard or are in distress in the water.
Ship-to-Ship Connections:
It allows for the quick and accurate transfer of lines between vessels, facilitating activities like towing or providing assistance.
Ship-to-Shore Connections:
It can be used to establish connections between a ship and the shore, aiding in mooring or transferring supplies.
Mooring Assistance:
The line throwing apparatus can be used to help secure a vessel to a dock or other mooring point, especially in challenging conditions.
Towing Operations:
It can be used to quickly establish a tow line between vessels, enabling one to assist the other.
How it Works:
The apparatus typically consists of a launcher (like a rocket or pneumatic system), a projectile, and a strong, lightweight line. The projectile is launched, carrying the line with it, and upon reaching the target, the line can be used to pull heavier ropes or equipment.
How to Throw while windy
Typically, you want to aim the line in the direction that will allow it to reach the target despite the wind. So, if the wind is coming against you, you might have to adjust the angle a bit. But generally, the apparatus is designed to be pretty accurate, and you just have to make sure you’re aiming correctly so that it can reach the other vessel.
If the two vessels are against the wind or the wind is heavy, if you throw this line, the wind will throw it away opposite direction. So how is the proper way to target the other vessel so that the wind can bring it to the other vessel?
In such case, the person operating the apparatus would actually aim a little bit upwind of the target, so that when the line is released, the wind will push it in the right direction. It’s a bit of a skillful calculation, but the idea is to anticipate the wind’s effect and aim accordingly. It definitely takes a bit of practice.
Regulations:
Line throwing apparatus are mandated by regulations like SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and are considered a critical Life-Saving Appliance (LSA).
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