Portuguese Bowline

The Portuguese Bowline was traditionally used to tie an anchor rode to a shackle.  The extra loop distributes the chafe.  This knot can serve as an emergency boswain's chair and may be a good knot to bring an injured person aboard.  You might want to practice tieing this knot around a crewperson while taking a swim at anchor.  Remember to wear your PFDs.

To tie the Portuguese Bowline: Start by making a small overhand loop. Make the first loop, coming over the small loop.  This is the loop that could go around an injured person's armpits. Next make the second overhand loop.  This would go around a person's legs. Bring the bitter end up through the small loop, around the standing part, and back down through the small loop. Tighten it up.

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