You know it is a bad day when you see your boat drifting away from the dock without you because the mooring lines broke. Murphy's Law is just as true on the water as it is on land and it is just as true with lines as it is with engines.

For you land lovers, line is the nautical term for rope or cable.

Property and even sometimes lives can depend on the quality of the line used. If not properly cared for a line will deteriorate more rapidly then it will if a little attention is given to it. Stainless steel line requires the least amount of care but it is expensive, hard to work with and still should be frequently inspected.

Proper care of a line begins immediately after it is purchased and taken home or to the dock. First carefully open new coils so they do not tangle or kink. Tangles and kinks make the line more difficult to handle and they can weaken the line. Whether the line is purchased as a coil or on a spool the line should be unrolled and not just pulled up or out from the wraps. Improper removal of a line from either a coil or spool will result in kinks.

If a line does get a kink in it remove the kink by working it to the end of the line. Never remove a kink by placing a strain on it as this will weaken the line at the kink.

Metal line should be watched very closely to prevent kinks. These lines are greatly weakened by sharp kinks so metal lines with sharp kinks should not be used.

Observe proper load limits of a line. A line may seem to handle the load but fibers inside the line may weaken or break and thus weakened for future use.

Frequently check a line for deterioration by twisting the line open. Look for broken strands, a powdery material, or decreased diameter any of which means the line has been permanently damaged or weakened by stretching.

Wet lines should be dried before stowing. If stowed wet natural fiber lines will rot and mildew; synthetic lines will mildew which not only make the line look bad but it will also make it smell bad. Either natural or synthetic lines which are placed in storage wet will cause moisture in the locker or hold where it is placed.

Lines should be stored in well-ventilated places to prevent the accumulation of moisture. They should also be stored out of the weather, both sun and rain, can damage lines. Other things should not be stowed on top of lines.

It is important to keep the lines clean as well as dry. Salt, Sand and Dirt will work as an abrasive inside the fibers and thus weaken any line if they are not removed. Petroleum products such as oil and grease will weaken both natural and synthetic fiber lines and thus should be avoided when possible.

Lines can be washed by placing them in a mesh bag or pillowcase and washing them in a washing machine. Do not try washing lines without putting them in a bag or pillowcase as that can cause the lines to kink or become fouled. Use a mild soap or detergent that will not harm the fibers. If the line is stiff a fabric softener can be used.

Chafing is a major concern for mooring lines and anchor lines. Even the most highly polished chocks will cause chafing over time. Mooring lines and anchor lines can be wrapped with canvas or leather where they wrap around cleats or pass though chocks. If the mooring line comes in contact with wood, metal, or concrete an old garden hose can be used to increase the life of the line.

Periodically turn the mooring and anchor lines end for end as this will move the point of chafing to another part of the line and thus increase the life of the line.

Just a few simple rules will increase the life and safety of the lines on your boat. Ignoring these rules can make a day set aside for fun and recreation the worst day of your life.