Je was op zoek naar: ties (Engels - Xhosa)

whoever ties up alongside a merchant vessel will have the fewest problems.
nokuba ngubani na obophelelayo ngakwinqanawa yorhwebo uyakuba neengxaki ezimbalwa kakhulu.

the specialisation of ships ties them more and more closely to a fixed route.
inqanawa ekhethekileyo enxibelelisana nabo ngakumbi nangakumbi kufutshane kwindlela ethe ngqo

however far the ship may be from shore, the emotional ties that bind these individuals to it, never slacken for a moment.
ngoko nokokuba ikude kanganani inqanawa elunxwemeni, iqhina lokuchukumiseka elidibanisa aba bantu ayigetyi nakancinci.

where these ties are the strong, stable ones of happy family life and financial security, satisfied and well-motivated sailors are the result.
apho la maqhina omeleleyo, azinzileyo zobopmi bosapho olonwabileyo kunye nokuseleko lwezimali, benelisekile kwaye benoomatiloshe abakhuthazwayo ziziphumo zoko.

ty
tyhini