hawser

A hawser is a thick rope or line used in maritime operations to tow, moor, or secure vessels. It is larger and stronger than ordinary lines and is designed to withstand heavy loads, abrasion, and harsh marine conditions. Hawsers are typically passed from ship to ship, to dockyards, or to buoys and anchors as a means of controlling movement and position in dependent maneuvers.

Construction and materials vary with application. Historically, hawsers were made from natural fibers such as manila or sisal. Modern hawsers are commonly made from synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, or HMPE (high-modulus polyethylene), which offer higher strength-to-weight ratios, better resistance to UV exposure, and lower stretch. Some hawsers are laid in the traditional hawser-laid construction, formed from multiple strands to increase durability, while others may be used with steel or wire components for specific heavy-tow tasks.

Typical uses include towing ships or barges, securing vessels to mooring points, and acting as heavy warps between ships or between a ship and shore. In harbor operations, a hawser might be connected to bollards, capstans, or towing arrangements, and it is handled with specialized equipment to manage its substantial weight and tension.

Etymology and history: the word hawser dates from historical nautical usage and is of uncertain origin, with possible influences from Dutch or other European maritime languages. The term remains the standard designation for large, heavy-duty towing and mooring lines in English nautical vocabulary.