Trail line, basket slings, or hoisting cables should never be ______ to the boat during the operation.

• A. Tied
• B. Tethered
• C. Attached
• D. Fastened

Answer: (A)

The action being tested is avoiding a fixed connection between lifting gear and the vessel. During trail line, basket slings, or hoisting operations you should not tie the line to the boat because a tied connection can transfer all the load’s force directly into the hull. If the load shifts, the line jams, or a failure occurs, the boat could be pulled toward the load, or the line could snap or foul gear, putting crew at serious risk. Keeping the lifting gear unattached to the boat gives you a safer release path and prevents the vessel from being drawn into the hoist. The other terms describe securing in general, but tying to the boat specifically creates a rigid, hard-to-release link that safety practice avoids.