Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture

Mediterranean mooring :  For this type of mooring, a pre-calculated position is determined and approached using engine movements. The bow initially is made to cant towards the berth and the starboard anchor is let go in that positions. After this the engines are run astern and the port anchor is let go at the designated spot. The vessel falls astern and swings to starboard. Thus vessel is held by both the anchors as it approaches the quay. Stern lines are then passed. Moorings are kept tight by using the anchor cables. The positioning of vessel is such that mooring is completed with around four shackles on each anchor. Often tide is used to control drift of the vessel towards quay while positioning it by heaving or paying out on one of the anchors. Running Mooring :  This manoeuvre takes relatively short duration compared to Mediterranean mooring and offers more control of the vessel. The vessel’s starboard anchor is let go at a position approximately...

Each ship/vessel has been designed with mooring arrangements such that ropes and wires of recommended strength can help it moor safely alongside a berth, floating platform, buoy or a jetty. Fundamentally a ship/vessel has to be positioned alongside a jetty or a berth, between mooring buoys, to a mooring buoy, to another ship or barge and then made fast using her own anchors, mooring lines or shore lines. Some very common methods of mooring are  Mediterranean mooring, Baltic mooring, Running mooring, Standing mooring, Spider mooring buoys , Single point or single buoy mooring, Conventional or multi buoy mooring, Ship to Ship Mooring While Moored alongside a fixed or floating jetty or a sea berth there are various forces action on the vessel such as wind, current, tide, wave action, swell, surging induced due to passing ships and trim of the vessel. The spring, breast and head lines prevent vessel’s movement against the action of these forces. The directional effect of these...