Question 2367 Deck General

The correct answer is D) To swap ends of the hawser to minimize wear. When towing a vessel, the towing hawser (the line connecting the towing vessel and the towed vessel) experiences wear and damage, especially at the ends where it rubs against the chocks or fairleads. Swapping the ends of the hawser, or "ending it for end," helps to distribute the wear more evenly along the length of the line, allowing it to be used for longer before needing replacement. This practice is a common seamanship technique used to extend the useful life of the towing hawser. The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the meaning of "ending a hawser for end." Increasing the catenary (A), taking out kinks (B), or faking the hawser down (C) are different techniques that do not involve swapping the ends of the line.