Question 19 AT01 - Assistance Towing Endorsement

The Correct Answer is B. **Explanation for Option B (Halyards and snap hooks):** Halyards are lines primarily used on vessels to raise or lower sails, flags, or yardarms. Snap hooks are commonly used to quickly attach lines (like halyards) to flags or rigging. Neither halyards nor snap hooks are standard or appropriate equipment specifically designed or used to protect a heavy towing hawser from abrasion or chafe during a towing operation. Towing hawser protection focuses on reinforcing points of contact (like the stern or chocks) against wear. **Explanation for Incorrect Options:** * **A) Hawser boards and chafing gear:** These items are specifically designed to protect the hawser. Hawser boards (or chafing pads/stern boards) are placed where the hawser passes over the ship's stern or rail to prevent abrasion. Chafing gear (made of canvas, rubber, or specialized materials) is wrapped around the hawser at critical points to reduce wear. * **C) Seizing wire, rope yarn and marline:** These materials are used extensively in traditional seamanship and towing for securing or "seizing" protective coverings (like chafing gear or canvas) onto the hawser, or for wrapping the hawser itself to provide an extra layer of protection against chafe. * **D) Norman pins and tow spans:** Norman pins (or stern pins) are heavy, movable steel posts fitted near the stern of a towing vessel (tugboat). While their primary function is to guide the hawser and prevent it from jumping out of the stern, they indirectly protect the hawser by controlling its alignment and preventing sudden, damaging sideways strain. Tow spans (or bridles) distribute the load across two points on the towed vessel and manage the angle of the main tow line, preventing excessive strain and chafe on the line itself.