Chapter 3 · Lesson 4Practical demonstration · about 5 minutes
Round turn and two half hitches
Use friction around a strong point before the finishing hitches do their work.
Video coming soon
Round turn and two half hitches
In the video
- Friction first
- Finish it neatly
- Use it within its limits
From the captain
Before you start
This knot is not glamorous, which is probably why it is useful. The round turn takes the strain; the half hitches stop the arrangement wandering off.
By the end of this lesson
Distinguish the friction turn from the finishing hitches and inspect both parts.
See it
See it for yourself
Round turn and two half hitches
Build the friction, then finish the hitches. Seen from your side, with the standing part leading down to the load.
5/5Dress the two half hitches together.Trace the line path and identify both finishing hitches before calling it complete.
Illustration only · the fitting must be approved for the job · Ryan's filmed demonstration and the vessel's method govern
One pass is not a round turn
Identify the round turn around the fitting: two passes, not one.
A round turn puts two passes around the attachment and creates friction before the finishing hitches.
Illustration only · the fitting must be approved for the job · Ryan's filmed demonstration and the vessel's method govern
What to look for
Inspect the finished form
Identify the round turn around the fitting and the two dressed half hitches around the standing part.
Choose the job as carefully as the knot
The knot does not establish the strength or suitability of the attachment point. Significant loads use the specified system.
The lesson
The lesson
- 01
Friction first
A round turn puts two passes around the attachment and creates friction before the finishing hitches. It can make an attachment easier to control, but the point itself must be suitable for the intended load.
- 02
Finish it neatly
After the round turn, form two half hitches around the standing part and dress them together. Trace the line path and identify both finishing hitches before calling it complete.
- 03
Use it within its limits
A useful example is the vessel-side attachment of a tender line: I prefer a round turn and two half hitches there, while a bowline may be used at the tender end. The line, fitting and release plan still need to suit the actual job. Practise the form unloaded; do not improvise a live release.
Where it goes wrong
The deckhand makes a single pass, thinks it is a round turn and relies on the finishing hitches for the whole job. Under changing load the attachment shifts because the intended friction was never there.
Your call
What would you do?
Pick one, then read the feedback on all three.
The situation
The knot looks correct, but the proposed rail has not been confirmed as an attachment point.
Take it aboard
Tie and inspect: Round turn and two half hitches
Do this during your induction or first weeks, with the person responsible for your work.
Unloaded practice
Use a short training line at a stable bench. Ask an experienced crew member to check the finished form before practising independently.
- 01Point out the fitting and standing part.
- 02Follow the demonstrated round turn.
- 03Add the two half hitches and dress them.
- 04Explain the different jobs of the turn and the finish.
What a useful result looks like
- Identify the round turn around the fitting and the two dressed half hitches around the standing part.
- You can name one unsuitable use and untie the unloaded example without rushing.
Stop: Training line only. No person, vessel, lifting system or live load attached. A knot exercise does not establish load capacity or operating authority.
Deckhand Foundation · Job card
Round turn and two half hitches: inspect and choose
From the lesson: Round turn and two half hitches
- Task and required holding or release behaviour understood.
- Line and attachment suitable under the vessel's method.
- Identify the round turn around the fitting and the two dressed half hitches around the standing part.
- Tail and finished form checked against the demonstrated method.
- Use limitations explained.
Use / limitation
Inspection feedback
Next repetition
Your vessel's procedures and senior crew come first. Nothing on this card is stored.
Quick check
Four decisions, then move on
This check confirms the principle. Your vessel's own induction still comes first.