Tow rope

A length of rope that can be used to tow a kayak or swimmer to safety. Typically a tow rope is attached to a tow harness and the other end is hooked to the victim's boat. The tow rope may be in the form of a throw rope or pigtail.

Sea kayakers tend to use longer tow ropes, so that the boat being towed doesn't run into the stern of the tower (or overtake him) when paddling in the same direction as the swell. 15m (50 ft) is a common length - lines can be linked together if a really long tow is needed, or shortened by clipping off part way or using a [chain sinnet]]† if closer contact with the person being towed is needed. Long tow ropes are typically attached to a towing cleat on the aft deck, so they can be released quickly, and have a high-visibility float at each end so they can be picked up quickly. Towing from the waist or chest harness can soon become painful or result in injury if towing in waves - long towlines often have a short section of shock-cord in them to reduce peaks loads on either kayaker or attachment point.

†The chain sinnet page also shows a photo of a carabiner used to shorten a line with a chain sinnet so that you can release the sinnet quickly to extend the tow line to its full length.