Testing a ship line thrower - GIF

[desbromilow]

I wonder why they don't include a "rest" or "buttstock" from the "canon" to the railing, top of the knee, the waist or anything that could stabilize and assist in aiming, especially in rough seas under novice hands.

The one I used in local SES (State Emergency Service) had a rudimentary stock, and the rocket had a detachable head which resembled a RPG round, but was bright orange and made of a coated foam which allowed it to float. The line was in a seperate case which sat at my feet, and was around 1000m from memory. The rocket had a braided wire yoke and line for the first 3m or so, and then the throwing line was attached behind that so the rocket exhaust did not cook/burn the line. The rocket motor sat inside a tube about 600mm (24" long, with the floating head at one end, and the motor at the other.. no fins that I recall. The stock was a wood and wire contraption which was anchored against my hip with a kevlar blanket square to protect my clothes against the exhaust gases.. I can't recall if safety glasses were required, but I do remember that the case of throwing line was to be placed on the ground in front of me, and the braided cable had to be laid in the launcher a particular way so it didn't tangle up the rocket. The line was white and about 4mm in diameter, and the case held the entire line all flaked in a fancy figure 8 configuration, and a pocket on the side with 3 spare rocket motors.

The line throwing device I mentioned was to be used for casting out to a person in open sea, or a disabled distressed boat.
The coast where I lived was notorious for people being swept off during fishing, and most of our rescue work was body recovery, but we lived in hope of getting people alive.