The correct answer is B) faking it on deck in a fore and aft direction. When a towing hawser is readied for service, it is typically faked (or laid out) on the deck in a fore and aft direction. This allows the hawser to pay out smoothly without kinking or fouling as the tow is made up. Faking the hawser in this manner keeps it organized and ready for immediate use, which is the preferred method for preparing a towing hawser. The other options are incorrect because: A) coiling the hawser in a counterclockwise direction is not the standard practice, C) spooling it on a winch cathead is generally used for smaller lines, and D) spooling it on a reel is more commonly used for storage and transport of the hawser, not for readying it for immediate use.