Deck Course / Module 1 / Introduction to Deck

Lesson 2 – Eight Basic Knots Every Deck Crew Member Should Know

What is the purpose of learning the knots?

Knots are used to attach a rope or a line to another object such as a ring, a hook, anchor, cleat, or another line. If the free end of the rope is secured in the correct position, then it will not slip (untie) risking damage or losing the object that it is tied to. Hitches are types of knots that are used to fasten a line to an object or another line.

In this lesson, you are introduced to eight essential knots for every crew member to know. Watch the videos and practice along to make sure you know exactly how to tie and untie each of the eight essential knots.

IMPORTANT: Please open the videos in full screen mode for a better learning experience. 

Bowline knot

The bowline (boh-lin) is referred to as the KING of the KNOTS and seen by many as the ideal and most useful Seafarer's knot. It has multiple uses and can be tied as free loop or can be tied as a loop through a fastening (shackle, cleat or around a pole) One of the main advantages of this knot is that when it is not under tension, it can easily be untied – saving valuable seconds during your operational drill.

Cleat hitch 

A cleat is a device for securing a line and the Cleat Hitch is one of the most useful methods of securing your vessel to a dock with a line. The Cleat Hitch is perhaps the easiest knot, very effective and it can be released even when the rope is under tension or under load.

Clove hitch

The Clove Hitch, is a basic multipurpose knot that is easy to tie and untie. This knot is particularly useful where the length of the running end needs to be adjustable, since feeding in line from either direction will loosen the knot to be tightened at a new position. This makes it perfect for a fender knot.

Cow hitch

The cow hitch is used to secure a line to a post or other object including another line. This knot is unreliable with thinner lines as it may slip, in that case rather use a clove hitch. It is a perfect and easy knot used to hang fenders or lines in storage areas. This knot should be avoided if it is for a high load bearing purpose. It is similar to a Clove Hitch except that the second half hitch is in the opposite direction.

Half hitch

The Half Hitch is easy to tie and forms a running noose that can be made larger or smaller. This is the perfect hitch to use to tie a line tightly around an object and hang fenders on stanchion cables. It is rarely used on its own due to the fact that it can slip under large tension. It is often used in a supporting role, for example to increase the security of a primary knot.

Rolling hitch

The Rolling Hitch is used to attach a line to a rod, pole or other line and is designed to resist lengthwise movement for only a single direction of pull It’s especially useful when you need to transfer the load from one line to another and is similar to the clove hitch but with an extra initial turn.

Sheet bend

The sheet bend is used to join two lines together and is more secure than the square knot, is easy to untie and works much better when two lines of unequal diameter need to be tied together but is also effective with two lines of equal thickness.

Reef knot

The reef knot is used most commonly to join two lines of identical thickness or to bind a line around an object by tying two ends of the line together. It is not recommended for tying two different lines of different thickness together, in this case, a proper bend knot, for instance a sheet bend should be used instead.