They are used to breast the ship bodily towards the jetty when coming alongside, and when belayed they limit her distance from the jetty.
Zisetyenziswa kudonga oliphantsi lokukhusela intambo umzimba wenqanawa ngakwibhlorho ekumisa kuzo inqanawa xa usiza ngakwicala lazo, naxa zibekwa ngokokunyina kwindlela esuka kwibhlorho ekumiselwa kuzo inqanawa.