Line thrower


Line throwers are devices for throwing lines to remote positions. Launching methods include guns, rockets, and pneumatics. They are especially useful in marine settings, particularly for rescue operations.
The first successful line thrower was the Manby mortar, invented in 1807.

History

In 1791 John Bell proposed a system to launch a line from a ship in distress to the shore, but this does not seems to have ever been implemented. In the early 19th century however, a range of shore-based systems were developed and deployed for the rescue of sailors from stranded ships—a serious problem in the age of sail and before modern navigation and communication systems.
Examples include:
Modern rocket-based systems are a common choice for vessels that require a line-throwing apparatus to meet SOLAS requirements, but in the late 1980s, pneumatic line throwers were invented and are preferred in many instances. Shoulder-fired line-throwing guns are available, and there are also slingshot-based systems.