Luxuriating on the high seas is not merely about enjoying the azure ocean and feeling the bracing sea breeze in your hair. It’s often a game of skill, intelligence, and comprehensive understanding of the boating environment. One such possible surprise at sea is the deceptively benign ‘bitt.’ Overlooked by many, it is a necessary piece of maritime equipment lurking on the decks of sailing boats and yachts, waiting for an opportunity to cause mayhem.

Predominantly, a bitt is a pair of short stout posts on the deck of a ship for mooring lines when the vessel docks. While its primary purpose seems innocent, it can quickly transform into a hazardous entity for the unaware. This underrated hazard exists as a testament to the complexities in the boating world that could go unnoticed until one becomes a casualty.