What is the purpose of using fairleads on a vessel?

The purpose of using fairleads on a vessel is to change the direction of a line (such as a mooring line or a rigging line) without causing it to drag across the surface or become damaged. Fairleads guide the line smoothly around obstacles or angles, which helps to maintain the integrity of the line and reduces wear. This is particularly important in various situations like mooring, where efficient line management is critical for safe operations, or in sail handling, where adjusting the angle of the sails can enhance performance. By directing the line properly, fairleads ensure that the mechanical performance of the equipment onboard is optimized, making maneuvering easier and safer.