Fiber rope myths

This paper discusses a number of common myths which many people have heard and some people believe about synthetic fiber ropes. (1) Fiber ropes are damaged by sun light? (2) Fiber ropes are damaged by sea water? (3) Fiber ropes are vulnerable to fish bite? (4) Fiber ropes are vulnerable to barnacles? (5) Fiber rope mooring lines should not touch the sea floor? () Large fiber ropes perform like small ropes? (6) Testing should always be performed on full-size rope? (7) Testing should be done on the full rope assembly instead of on subropes? (8) The useful service life can be learned simply be breaking used rope? (9) I'll have time to get out of the way when I hear the rope beginning to break? There some is truth in these statements, but usually not much. Blindly adhering to these beliefs can be costly and, especially with the last one, dangerous. The paper will explain what is true and what is false. Discussion will explain how the myths developed and what really is true on the particular topic. The emphasis will be on myths and facts which apply to ropes used in marine service, as ship-board mooring, as towing hawsers, and as buoy and platform mooring lines.