Towing & Ship-Assist · Gear — Pendant / Pennant
A towing pendant (pennant) is best described as:
- AThe tug's mooring line
- BThe barge's anchor chain
- CA length of chain or wire between the bridle/fishplate and the main towline, taking the chafe and wear at the tow✓ Correct
- DA signal flag halyard
Explanation
The pendant connects the bridle (at the fishplate) to the main towing hawser. Often chain or heavy wire, it absorbs chafe at the tow end and can be retrieved with a recovery (pickup) line. Renewing a worn pendant is cheaper than replacing the whole towline.
Authority: Towing seamanship references
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