Possible Clues:

• Type of knot
• Where there are pins keeping back the galley with key rope
• Making deliveries short, finally tie rope to secure canvas
• 'The king of knots'
• Hat almost covers stylish knot
• Ship's rope; knot
• Knot to secure a loop
• Sailor's knot
• Not the line of the stern or not, by the sound of it
• Knot that won't slip