MOORING

ARRANGEMEN
T
Introduction
Mooring arrangements refer to the configuration and equipment
used to secure a vessel (such as a ship or boat) to a fixed point,
typically a dock, pier, buoy, or another vessel. These arrangements
are essential for keeping a vessel in place while it is not in motion,
ensuring safety, stability, and preventing it from drifting away or
colliding with other objects.

Mooring arrangements can vary depending on the size and type of

vessel, as well as the environmental conditions of the location
where the vessel is moored.
Typical Components of Mooring
Arrangement
Mooring Winch:
A mooring winch is a
mechanical device used
to control the deployment
and tensioning of
mooring lines during
docking, anchoring, and
other maritime
operations.
Mooring Lines:

Heavy chains or ropes

used to secure a ship
to a dock, quay, or
another ship.
Bed Plates:

Bed plates are large flat

metal plates that
provide a stable
foundation for securing
heavy machinery or
equipment like winches
and windlasses.
Capstan:

A device used for

heaving in mooring
lines or anchor chains
Fairlead:

A metal fitting with a roller

used to guide mooring
lines. A deadman roller is a
horizontal roller on the
ship's deck or structure that
guides mooring lines and
reduces friction during line
movement.
Bollard:

A strong post on the deck or

quay used to secure mooring
lines. Bollards are primarily
used for securing mooring
lines or towing lines. They
provide a stable and robust
point to which lines can be
looped or tied.
Bitts:

Bitts are strong vertical posts

or pillars on a ship's deck used
to secure mooring lines,
ropes, and hawsers. Bitts are
used for securing mooring
lines and are often used on
ships and boats to provide a
secure point for tying off lines.
Chocks:

Chocks are metal or

wooden fittings with smooth
surfaces and rounded
edges that guide and
secure mooring lines,
preventing damage from
friction or sharp angles.
Parts of Mooring Winch
Winch Drum:

The mooring winch drum is

responsible for winding and
unwinding the mooring lines,
allowing the crew to control the
deployment and retrieval of
these lines. It provides tension
and control over the lines to
secure the vessel to a dock, pier,
or mooring point.
Tensioning Drum:

The mooring tensioning drum

is designed to ensure that
mooring lines remain taut and
under controlled tension while
the vessel is secured in place.
It helps prevent slack in the
lines, which can be crucial for
safety and stability.
Winch Motor:

A winch motor is an electric

or hydraulic motor that
provides the power to
rotate the winch drum,
facilitating the handling of
mooring lines.
Warping Head
(Gypsy Head):

The gypsy head is the outmost

portion of the mooring winch.
Like a winch barrel the warp
end stores the rope that is
used for mooring although they
are used for lighter applications
or for auxiliary purposes.
Dog Clutch:

A dog clutch is a
mechanism used in
winches or windlasses
to engage or disengage
the drive between the
winch motor and the
winch drum.
Manual Band Brake:

A manual band brake is a

brake system that uses a
band or strap to wrap
around a drum, creating
friction when engaged to
slow down or stop the
rotation.
Control Lever:

A control device used to operate

and control the mooring winch's
functions. It allows the operator
or crew member to manipulate
the winch's operations, including
the deployment and retrieval of
mooring lines (ropes or cables)
and the adjustment of line
tension.
Parts of Anchor Arrangement
Windlass:

The anchor windlass is a

mechanical device used for raising
and lowering the anchor and
anchor chain. It can be powered
by electricity, hydraulics, or
manual operation, and it provides
the necessary mechanical
advantage to handle the weight of
the anchor and chain.
Chain Cable:

The chain cable refers to the

anchor chain itself. It is a
heavy-duty, often steel chain
that connects the anchor to
the vessel. The chain provides
weight and strength, ensuring
that the anchor remains
securely set.
Anchor Chain Swivel:

The anchor chain swivel is a

connector that joins the
anchor chain to the anchor. It
allows the anchor to rotate
freely, preventing the chain
from twisting or kinking while
the anchor is being raised or
lowered.
D Shackle:

D shackles, also known as

bow shackles, are used to
secure various components
of the anchor arrangement,
such as attaching the anchor
to the chain or connecting
different lengths of chain
Anchor:

The anchor is a heavy

metal device designed to
grip the seabed and
provide stability to the
vessel when it is anchored.
Hawse Pipe:

A hawse pipe is a pipe-

like structure that guides
the anchor chain from the
deck to outside of the
bow, preventing it from
damaging the hull.
Chain Stopper:

A chain stopper is a
device that secures the
anchor chain when the
anchor is not in use,
preventing the chain from
moving unintentionally.
Anchor Lashing:

Anchor lashing refers to

the securing of the
ship's anchor in place
when it is not in use,
preventing it from
swinging or moving.
Spurling Pipe:

The spurling pipe is a vertical

pipe or tube through which
the anchor chain passes as it
travels between the anchor
windlass and the chain
locker. It helps guide and
protect the chain as it
moves.
Bitter End:

The bitter end is the term

used to describe the last part
of the anchor chain that is
securely fastened to the
vessel. It is typically attached
to a strong point within the
ship to prevent the entire
chain from running out.
Chain Locker:

The chain locker is a storage

compartment or space within
the ship where the anchor
chain is stowed when it is
not in use. It prevents the
chain from cluttering the
deck and keeps it organized.
Stripper Bar:

The stripper bar is a device

located near the entrance to the
chain locker. It helps to strip or
remove the anchor chain from
the windlass gypsy (the part of
the windlass that grips the
chain) when the anchor is being
raised, ensuring that the chain
enters the locker smoothly.