90.1k views
3 votes
For a buoyant heaving line to be approved, it must be:

a) Able to demonstrate the ability to float
b) In good condition
c) Consist of a single, full length of rope (i.e., shorter ropes tied together are not approved)
d) At least 15 meters (50 feet) long

2 Answers

4 votes

Final answer:

A buoyant heaving line must be able to float, be in good condition, consist of a single rope, and be at least 15 meters long. Buoyancy principles, which allow ships to carry loads without sinking, are also applied in determining the legality of high-tech swimsuits in competitive swimming.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a buoyant heaving line to be approved, it must demonstrate several key characteristics. Firstly, it needs to be able to float, which is essential for its use in water safety and rescue operations. Secondly, the line must be in good condition, without any damage that could compromise its strength or buoyancy. Thirdly, it should consist of a single, continuous length of rope; shorter ropes tied together are not considered safe and hence are not approved. Finally, the rope should be at least 15 meters (50 feet) long to ensure it can reach a person in need from a significant distance.

The importance of these requirements can be understood through the principle of buoyancy. The maximum buoyant force provided by an object in water is related to the weight of the water displaced by that object. A vessel, such as a ship made of steel, can float because it displaces a volume of water equal to its own weight plus the weight of its load. If the maximum buoyancy force is ten times the weight of the steel ship, it means that the ship can carry a load nine times its weight without the risk of sinking.

This principle is also relevant when considering other objects, such as high-tech body swimsuits used in competitive swimming. As per the international rule set in 2008 before the Beijing Olympics, these swimsuits should not provide any buoyancy advantage, ensuring fair competition. Verification of this rule could be done through controlled testing in water, observing if the swimsuit contributes to extra buoyancy, which would be against the regulations.

User Phil Dukhov
by
9.3k points
6 votes

Final answer:

An approved buoyant heaving line must float, be in good condition, consist of a single rope, and be at least 15 meters long.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a buoyant heaving line to be approved, it must fulfill several requirements. Firstly, it should be able to demonstrate the capacity to float since this is critical for its operation in the water during emergencies. Secondly, the line must be in good condition without any damages or signs of wear that could affect its performance. Thirdly, it must consist of a single, full length of rope; shorter ropes tied together would not be approved since they could compromise the structural integrity and strength needed in rescue situations. Lastly, the line should be at least 15 meters (50 feet) long to ensure that it can reach a person in the water from a boat or the shore.

As an example, think about the importance of buoyancy when considering high-tech body swimsuits used by swimmers. They were introduced in 2008 and were designed to not provide any buoyancy advantage, adhering to international competition rules. To verify compliance with these rules, the swimsuits could be tested in a controlled environment to ensure they do not aid in floating or swimming, which would give an athlete an unfair advantage.

User Cutemachine
by
8.0k points