Theory of Mooring This programme explains that the objective of an effective mooring system is to ensure that the ship

lies securely alongside, regardless of weather, waves or currents. Theory of Mooring examines the various forces acting upon a moored ship in the transverse, longitudinal and vertical directions. It explains the interaction between these forces and shows how they influence the choice of the most appropriate mooring scheme. The programme shows typical mooring schemes. Also discussed are load sharing between wire and synthetic fibre ropes, the effect on holding power of line length and orientation. Finally, the difference between static and dynamic loading is dealt with and the importance of attending the moorings at all times is emphasised.

E F F E C T I V E M OI G OR N What D o e s a M n g i r o S y s t e m Do? A mooring system prevents the ship from drift ing aa wy from a berth and holds the ship in place inrelationto the loading/discharging arms, which may only hv ae limited freedom of movement. Mooring l i n e s may a l s o a s s i s t in heaving the ship

alongside a berth and can be u s e d to a s s i s t in unberthing. The mooring s y s t e m has to maintain the s h i p ' s position against f o r c e s that will be trying to move it, which may be c a u s e d by one or more of the following: (a) Wind (b) Current (c) Surge due to passing ships (d) Waves and Swell (e) Change of freeboard H o w B i g A r e T h e s e Forces? At a well sited berth, the greatestf o r c e s a r i s e

from wind and current, but to design a mooring system capable of resist ing the extreme conditions of wind and current would create problems in both s i z e and cost of equipment. It is therefore n o r m a l practice to establish arbitrary wind and current criteria and then design the mooring s y s t e m to meet t h e s e criteria. Commonly used criteria a r e : Wind 60 knots, plusa current on the ba em of 07 .5 knots, or Wind

60 knots, plus a current from aheador astern of 3 knots. Both wind and current forces are proportional to the square of the wind or current speed, t h u s the f o r c e caused by a 60 knot wind is four times that caused bya30 knot wind, andthe force exerted by a 3 knot current is nine times that exerted by a 1 knot current. Wind speed increases with height abovesea level. For example, a wind of 60 knots

at 10metres will be more than 75 knots at 30 metres but only 30 knotsat 2 metres (just above man-high). So that information from different s i t e s can be compared, it is usual to correct all anemometer readings to an equivalent height of 10 metres. Because of thes p e e d / f o r c e and speed/height characteristics of wind behaviour,f r e e b o a r d is a major and sometimes crit ical factor for s a f e mooring