Heaving A Line Heaving a line is a method of throwing a line from one location to another. The most common use of a heaving line is at sea, to pull a cable to shore from a ship. It may also be used to rescue a person from the water.
The main points to heaving a line are:• Coil the line clockwise from the fixed end • When coiling avoid overlap • Secure the fixed end • Split the coil into half • Hold the coils as shown • Point in the direction of throwing • Throw the line underhand
You need to be able to heave a line a reasonable distance accurately, it is also important to do this from a boat as well as from land.
Things not to do: Do not force the rope into a coil let it flow with the natural twist in the rope.
To make it easier to throw you may need to add / put a weight on the end of the line; this weight is usually a “Monkey’s Fist”.
Secure the end Holding the coils
The line should be of such length and size to reach your target but not be too heavy to lift when fully coiled.
(graphic of open hand to release)
TIP Take time to coil the line properly and always leave a line coiled ready for use. 34
Heaving the line
