The UK Clubs inspectors frequently find that ships mooring arrangements are

both ineffective and used inefficiently, such that mooring lines are subject to
unnecessary chafing.
Mooring practices
Technical Bulletin
NUMBER 1 2002
UK P&I CLUB
In some cases, moorings have resembled knitting,
suggesting that ships personnel have given very little
thought to the vessels mooring arrangement and how
best to utilise it. When moorings are being deployed,
consideration should always be given to using the most
suitable leads for ropes, taking into account shoreside
facilities.
The effectiveness of any mooring line or wire is
influenced by two angles:
The vertical angle the mooring line forms with the
quay:
The horizontal angle the mooring line makes with the
parallel side of the ship.
The steeper the orientation of a mooring line, the less
effective the line will be in resisting the horizontal
loading put on it as the vessel moves in relation to the
quay. Not all berths lend themselves to ideal leads,
depending on ship type/size, and compromises have to
be made, but the officer in charge of mooring
operations should always be looking for the best leads
for his lines which arent necessarily the shortest.
A mooring arrangement should provide an efficient
mooring pattern, facilitate safe line tendering and allow
for the safe and efficient handling of tug and fire wires.
Sharp objects can chafe mooring lines
A ships mooring system is designed to prevent the ship
drifting away from the berth and hold her in place in
relation to that berth. The effectiveness of the moorings
is dependent upon the configuration of the mooring
lines. The security of a ship alongside is not something
which happens of its own accord it requires a good
understanding and use of the ships equipment.
Considerable thought should be given to the
configuration of the moorings, so that leads are
effective and do not create sharp angles. Consideration
should also be given to the order in which lines are
deployed, so as to maintain a safe working environment
at all times.
To prevent unnecessary dangers to ships personnel,
and to prevent expensive mooring line damage,
moorings should not be crossed over each other or be
allowed to chafe against sharp objects.
Personnel on duty should ensure that moorings are
checked and tended at regular intervals and that
remedial action is taken to minimise or eliminate
damage to moorings. Actions should be taken to
prevent chafing ensuring that all rollers, deadmen,
etc. are free to turn, wrapping canvas or old fire hose
around a mooring line at potential chafing areas and, in
extreme cases, applying grease or other approved
lubricant to the line, again to reduce the effect of
chafing.
Mooring lines should be made up correctly once the
vessel is in position. When using synthetic ropes on
large sets of bitts, use two round turns
(no more) on the first post, then figure-eight round both
(fig.1, below). On smaller diameter bitts, the two round
turns should be around both posts (fig. 2).
Mooring lines should not be left on drum-ends these
are designed for warping, not holding the weight of a
ship for long periods and there is a risk of lines slipping
or being thrown off drum ends when used in this
manner. Excessive turns should not be left on the
working side of a split mooring winch three turns
(1 layer) are sufficient.
The strength of a line is dependent upon its condition
the condition of mooring lines in use should be
continually monitored, as lines are subject to wear and
tear. Frayed ropes are weakened by a loss in rope
diameter, damaged fibres / strands, etc. and can be
dangerous to personnel working them. They should not
be used if at all possible, but replaced / repaired.
Fig.2 Small diameter bitts
Fig.1 Large diameter bitts
When a mooring line is under tension (under load), it
stretches. Energy is stored in the line in proportion to
the load and stretch. If the line were to part, this built-
up energy would suddenly be released. The ends of the
line whip back striking anything in their path. This whip
effect is common to all lines. Even long wires under
load can stretch sufficiently to part and whip back with
considerable energy. Personnel should always avoid
Split winch used correctly
An example of a mooring line in poor condition
Mooring line left on drum end
UK P&I CLUB
IS MANAGED
BY THOMAS
MILLER
For further information please contact:
Loss Prevention Department, Thomas Miller P&I Ltd
Tel: +44 20 7204 2307. Fax +44 20 7283 6517
Email: lossprevention.ukclub@thomasmiller.com
standing in areas where a line is likely to whip back
through should it part.
Ridings turns rope buried under lower turns
Riding turns (where a rope is buried under lower turns
on a winch) must be avoided. They make adjusting
moorings difficult as the rope under tension has to be
pulled / prised out from the slacker, lower turns.
If unnoticed, this can cause problems for mooring
gangs as the line would initially pay out when slacking
it back for letting go, but would then suddenly start
heaving back in (the winch would still be turning as if to
slack back the line). This could lead to a potentially
dangerous situation for anyone on the quay trying to
remove the line from a bollard.
Unauthorised / untrained personnel must not be
permitted to wander around mooring stations
unsupervised. Failure to do so will significantly
increase the potential for a serious - possibly fatal -
accident.
The OCIMF publication Effective Mooring (1989
Edition) is a valuable source of information with all
manner of advice on safe and efficient mooring
practices.