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Tied up in knots!

By Jessica Saunders (Yr 9)

On Friday the 24th of February, BWIC ‘Reef Action Team’ (RAT’s) with Miss Rankin (head of RAT’s) headed over to Big Blue Unlimited where we had a lesson in seamanship, more specifically, learning some very useful knots! The session was led by Roger Halliday (Operations Manager – and sea captain – at Big Blue), Marcia Gutierrez (Dive instructor at Big Blue), and Don Stark (Co-Founder of the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund).

We were taught the following knots: Square/Reef Knot, Bowline Knot, Round Turn and Two Half Hitches, Figure of Eight Knot, and a Clover Hitch, as well as a little on when to use them.

A square/reef knot is very useful for joining two ropes of similar dimensions together.

A bowline knot is extremely useful when you need a loop in a rope; if you master this one, you can even use it to rescue people from the ocean!

A round turn and two half hitches is helpful for tying two things together, such as a fender to a boat rail.

A figure of eight knot is a stopper knot: stopping ropes from running out of retaining devices.

A clove hitch is a useful knot for tying ropes to the rail, such as tying fenders to the rail on a boat.

Even though some of the knots were hard to master (the Bowline Knot!), I can safely say for most of the RAT’s that this was a fun experience that will be very useful in our next RAT’s adventures.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1491871347730-86b99280-2d8b-9″ include=”1627,1628,1629,1630,1631,1632″][/vc_column][/vc_row]