When I was in the Coast Guard, I learned of the dangers of a rope under tension "parting" (breaking). This happens when a rope under stress gets too taught, and there is a yank, or slow increase to the point of parting. When a rope parts there is snapback, like a whip or a rubberband breaking. Sailors have been literally sliced in half instantly by a rope parting. Oftentimes when you hear of a sailor dying in a "boating accident" (not drowning) this is how he died, but they don't say it because of how gruesome it is.

I also learned this only happens with synthetic rope, but not natural rope.

When I was taking a class on knots and rope in the Coast Guard,
I naturally asked, "Then why don't we use natural rope?"

"Because natural rope rots, and is weaker. Next question," he artificially answered.

Later I found out synthetic rope is made from oil, and natural rope is made from hemp. Any questions?
angry nomad Reviewed by angry nomad on . How the War on Drugs kills our Sailors When I was in the Coast Guard, I learned of the dangers of a rope under tension "parting" (breaking). This happens when a rope under stress gets too taught, and there is a yank, or slow increase to the point of parting. When a rope parts there is snapback, like a whip or a rubberband breaking. Sailors have been literally sliced in half instantly by a rope parting. Oftentimes when you hear of a sailor dying in a "boating accident" (not drowning) this is how he died, but they don't say it Rating: 5