What is a bight in nautical terminology?

In nautical terminology, a bight refers to a loop of line or chain that is formed by bringing a portion of the line back upon itself. This can be useful in various scenarios, such as securing a load, tying knots, or creating a hitch. The formation of a bight does not create a knot but instead results in a simple arch or curve in the line, allowing for manipulation without additional complexity. Understanding bights is essential for activities such as docking a ship, securing equipment, or performing various operations where a looped line is necessary.

The other options relate to different nautical terms but do not accurately define a bight. For example, a heavy line used for mooring pertains to the specifics of docking procedures, while a free end of a line or cable refers to the end of a line that is not secured or tied, and a small tool used for splicing relates to the equipment required for joining two lengths of rope or line. Each of these terms serves its unique purpose in the maritime context, but only the definition of a loop of line or chain accurately describes a bight.