In order to be a successful sailor, sailors must be proficient in seamanship skills. This makes for a skilled individual able to properly able to rig block and tackle, sails and extend the life of the line in use on ships.
In competition cadets are assigned specific knots, whips, bends, hitches based on their rank to complete as a part of this competition. Cadets are assessed on how well they complete the knots, bends, whips, and hitches.