What does catenary do?

What does catenary do?

• A. Act as a shock absorber
• B. Provide buoyancy to line
• C. Decrease weight of line
• D. Increase tow speed

Answer: (A)

The catenary is the curve a flexible line forms under its own weight when hung between two points. That sag lets the line stretch and store energy, so when the tow vessel changes speed or the line encounters waves, the tension doesn’t spike instantly. The line’s weight and shape absorb part of the shock, smoothing the load on both vessels. It doesn’t provide buoyancy, reduce the line’s weight, or increase tow speed.

The catenary is the curve a flexible line forms under its own weight when hung between two points. That sag lets the line stretch and store energy, so when the tow vessel changes speed or the line encounters waves, the tension doesn’t spike instantly. The line’s weight and shape absorb part of the shock, smoothing the load on both vessels. It doesn’t provide buoyancy, reduce the line’s weight, or increase tow speed.