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MOORING MACHINERY ONBOARD SHIPS

Here are the main types of mooring machinery used onboard ships:
1. Mooring Winches
• Purpose: Mooring winches are used to haul in, pay out, and adjust the tension of
mooring lines. They ensure that the lines remain taut and secure the ship against the
forces of wind, tide, and currents.
• Types:
o Electric Mooring Winches: Powered by electric motors and commonly used
on modern ships due to their efficiency and low maintenance requirements.
o Hydraulic Mooring Winches: Powered by hydraulic systems, these winches
provide strong and reliable performance under heavy loads.
o Manual Winches: Rarely used on larger ships, manual winches are hand-
operated and typically found on smaller vessels.
• Components:
o Drum: Where the mooring line is wound.
o Brake System: Used to hold the drum stationary when tension is required.
o Motor/Gearbox: Powers the drum to reel in or release the line.
o Clutch: Allows the operator to disengage the drum when the winch is not in
use.
• Special Features:
o Auto-tensioning Winches: Automatically maintain the tension in the mooring
lines by adjusting them in response to changes in the vessel’s position.
2. Capstans
• Purpose: A capstan is a vertical-axis rotating machine used for handling mooring lines
or anchor cables, primarily to assist in pulling the lines onto the deck.
• Function: It provides a mechanical advantage for hauling lines or cables, reducing the
physical strain on the crew.
• Types:
o Electric Capstans: Powered by electric motors.
 o Hydraulic Capstans: Powered by hydraulic systems and typically used for
more demanding applications.
• Components:
o Drumhead: A cylindrical rotating head around which the mooring line is
wrapped to generate friction and allow for controlled movement.
o Motor and Gearbox: Powers the drumhead and provides rotational motion.
3. Windlass
• Purpose: While primarily used for anchor handling, the windlass can also assist in
mooring operations, especially on the forward part of the ship.
• Function: Windlasses are designed to raise and lower the anchor and handle the
anchor chain, but they can also manage mooring lines in some cases.
• Types:
o Electric Windlass: Powered by an electric motor, commonly found on modern
vessels.
o Hydraulic Windlass: Uses hydraulic power for heavy-duty operations, often
used on large ships.
4. Mooring Hooks (Quick Release Hooks)
• Purpose: Quick-release hooks allow mooring lines to be quickly and safely released in
case of emergency, such as a sudden need to leave the berth.
• Function: These hooks are designed to release the mooring lines under tension with
minimal effort, improving safety and efficiency.
• Components:
o Release Mechanism: Can be manual or remotely operated, allowing for quick
disengagement of the mooring lines.
5. Fairleads
• Purpose: Fairleads guide mooring lines from the deck machinery to the ship's side
and prevent the lines from chafing or getting damaged.
• Types:
o Roller Fairleads: Equipped with rollers to reduce friction and facilitate the
smooth movement of mooring lines.
o Closed Fairleads: Used to prevent lines from slipping out during tension
adjustments.
6. Mooring Bitts
 • Purpose: Bitts are sturdy vertical posts used to secure mooring lines after they have
been hauled by the mooring winch or capstan.
• Function: Once the mooring line is in position, it is wound around the bitts in a
figure-eight pattern to hold the ship in place.
• Location: Found at key mooring points such as the bow, stern, and sometimes
midship.
7. Bollards
• Purpose: Bollards are used to fasten the mooring lines, typically located onshore, but
there are bollard-like structures onboard as well.
• Function: They provide fixed points where mooring lines are looped or tied to secure
the vessel to a pier.
8. Tension Gauges
• Purpose: Tension gauges are used to monitor the load on mooring lines, ensuring
that they are not overstressed and that the vessel remains secure.
• Function: Provides real-time data on the tension in the mooring lines, helping crew
adjust them as necessary for safety.
9. Stoppers
• Purpose: Stoppers are devices used to temporarily hold the mooring line in place
while adjustments are made.
• Function: After a line is hauled by the winch or capstan, a stopper is used to keep it
secure before transferring it to a bitt or bollard.
10. Leads (Chocks)
• Purpose: Chocks or leads guide mooring lines through specific pathways to prevent
tangling or damage to the lines.
• Types:
o Open Chocks: Easy to use and allow for quick handling of lines.
o Closed Chocks: More secure and prevent lines from slipping out.
11. Automatic Mooring Systems
• Purpose: These systems use advanced automation to moor a ship without the need
for manual handling of lines.
• Function: The system uses vacuum pads or magnetic clamps to attach to the ship’s
hull and secure it to the dock, greatly reducing the need for traditional mooring
machinery.
12. Hawser Reels
 • Purpose: Hawser reels are used to store mooring lines and ensure they are deployed
and retracted smoothly.
• Function: They allow for the controlled unwinding and winding of mooring lines
during berthing and departure.
13. Hydraulic Power Units (HPUs)
• Purpose: Hydraulic power units provide the energy needed to operate hydraulic
mooring machinery such as winches and capstans.
• Function: HPUs are self-contained systems that use hydraulic fluid under pressure to
generate power for various mooring operations.

Key Features of Modern Mooring Machinery:

• Automation: Many modern ships use automated or remote-controlled mooring
machinery, reducing the need for manual labor and improving safety.
• Tension Control: Mooring winches are often equipped with automatic tension
control systems that adjust the mooring lines in response to changing conditions like
tides or wind forces.
• Safety Systems: Many mooring winches have overload protection, emergency stop
features, and quick-release mechanisms to enhance crew safety during mooring
operations.
Mooring machinery on ships plays a vital role in safely securing the vessel, ensuring smooth
operations during docking, and allowing for quick adjustments when necessary to prevent
damage or accidents.