Safe Mooring Operation

Assessment
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Name: _________________________________ Rank___________ Date: _________________

1. Which of these factors can affect a vessel’s moorings?

(a) wind
(b) currents
(c) the way the cargo is loaded
(d) all of these

2. How many times greater is the force of a three-knot current on a vessel’s hull compared to that of a one knot
current?
(a) much the same
(b) double
(c) three times greater
(d) nine times greater

3. In ports with a large tidal range, what is the best precaution to take to maintain the vessel’s safe station?
(a) use self-tensioning winches and post a regular deck watch
(b) use extra-long mooring lines all round the vessel
(c) use the largest steel wire lines the vessel has available
(d) check the tide tables and inspect the moorings each high and low tide

4. Which of these materials is least used today for mooring lines by large commercial vessels?
(a) natural fibre
(b) synthetic fibre
(c) high modulus synthetic fibre
(d) steel wire

5. What does MBL stand for?

(a) Maximum Bollard Layers
(b) Maximum Breaking Load
(c) Maximum Ballast Level
(d) Maximum Berth Length

6. Which of these is the strongest type of synthetic fibre rope in common use today?
(a) nylon
(b) aramid
(c) polypropylene
(d) Hemp

7. Which is the only one of these lines that floats?

(a) polyester
(b) polyester/polypropylene
(c) polypropylene
(d) aramid

8. How much elasticity can a conventional synthetic fibre rope typically have in some
circumstances?
(a) about 4 – 5%
(b) about 10%
(c) about 30%
(d) about 60%

9. If your vessel is using a mix of wire and synthetic fibre lines in its mooring system, whichlines should the synthetic
lines preferably be used for rather than wire?
(a) head and stern lines

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 Safe Mooring Operation
Assessment
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(b) spring and breast lines
(c) spring and head lines
(d) breast and stern lines

10.What does a glazed surface on a synthetic rope indicate?

(a) it has been treated with an anti-corrosion solution
(b) it is a high-modulus rope
(c) it has lost a large part of its strength
(d) it has been contaminated with oil and needs to be cleaned

11. What do polyethylene ropes have to be checked for in particular?

(a) extra stretching
(b) discolouring due to chemical sensitivity
(c) unpleasant smell indicating chemical attack
(d) burn damage because of their low melting temperature

12. What elongation on a nylon tail would mean it has to be discarded?

(a) 10% (b) 15% (c) 25% (d) 30%

13. How much abrasion damage to a synthetic fibre rope mean it must be discarded?
(a) Any sign of abrasion damage means it must be discarded
(b) 5%
(c) 10%
(d) 15%

14. What is the usual order of engaging mooring lines?

(a) spring lines first, then breast lines, then head lines and stern lines
(b) head and stern lines first, then spring lines, then breast lines
(c) spring lines first, then head and stern lines, then breast lines
(d) head line first, then breast lines and spring lines together, then the stern line

15. When unmooring the vessel, who decides in which order the lines are to be let go?
(a) the officer in charge of the mooring party
(b) the Harbourmaster
(c) the person in charge of the linesmen ashore
(d) the Master (in consultation with the Pilot)

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