Nautical Term: Life-line
Definition of Life-line
A strong rope or cable affixed to the rail or side of a vessel, intended for mariners to grasp in heavy seas or stormy conditions
For instance, during a violent storm at sea, a sailor could lose his footing and be swept overboard. In such a situation, the sailor’s shipmates could grasp the lifeline, which would be secured along the deck or railing, to pull their endangered shipmate back aboard the vessel, thus saving their life.
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