Mooring Hitch

The mooring hitch is a quick release knot used primarily by sailors, but also by

lumber jacks and riggers as well. It is a very secure way of tying a line while still being able to release that knot very quickly. When a sailor is single handing or working a boat alone, they don't want to be jumping ashore to tie or untie the boat to a mooring or dock. By securing one end of the line to the boat then simply putting a loop over the mooring post or cleat and then securing the bitter end to a cleat on board. With a mooring hitch they can get free and away in seconds without loosing the line or having to waste time or energy going ashore to untie that line, then maybe having to make a dangerous leap into an unsecured boat.

The mooring hitch is handy anytime you need a quick release application and could be useful in many survival situations such as:

Tie down for your survival shelter
When used in conjunction with a butterfly knot can secure a load very tightly
Tying a makeshift rucksack closed for easy access

Basic terms used in our knot tying instructions explained here.

How To: Tie the Mooring Hitch

Take a round turn about the post, cleat, ring or rail that you are securing to.
Make a half-hitch with a bight (just like tying a shoe).
Make another round turn on the standing part and push another bight through the first eye you created.
Pull all of the slack into the second eye until the knot is snug.

To release this knot, just pull on the bitter end and the knot will dissolve before your eyes. Even if the knot has tried to bind because of a load that was placed on it, a stout jerk on the bitter end will free it up so, anytime you need a quick release knot, remember the mooring hitch.

ProKnot Outdoor Knots

Waterproof plastic cards 2 1/4" x 3 1/2"
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These cards are lightweight and small. They will easily fit in your pocket, glove box, or anywhere in your survival kit. These cards include most of the knots covered in our website plus a few x-tras. (17 total)

This list of knots, either singly or in combination, will serve almost any need you have, be it around the house or in the wilderness.

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