Page 210 - Geoffrey Budworth, Jason Dalton "The Little Book of Incredibly Useful Knots"

Lighterman’s hitch

This hitch has long been used by longshoremen, riggers, and watermen to tie one boat to

another or to belay a mooring or a guy-line. Its great advantages are that it is extremely secure,
although it will not jam, and that it is easily cast off when necessary.

Make a turn (or several, as required for the job in hand) about the post, rail, or spar so that the
strain is taken up (1). Then take a bight beneath the standing part of the line (2) and hitch the

bight over the post (3). Wrap the working end around the standing part (4) and then around the
post once more (5). Then let it hang (6).