Seamanship

Mooring

UNCLASSIFIED

References
Mooring and Towing, NSTM Chapter 582
Knights Modern Seamanship, Eighteenth Edition, CAPT John V.
Noel, Jr., USN (Ret.), John Wiley and Sons
Naval Shiphandlers Guide, CAPT James A. Barber, Jr., USN (Ret.),
Naval Institute Press
Naval Shiphandling, Fourth Edition, CAPT R.S. Crenshaw, USN
(Ret.), Naval Institute Press
The Naval Officers Guide, Eleventh Edition, VADM William P.
Mack, USN (Ret.), CAPT Harry A. Seymour, Jr., USN (Ret.), and
CDR Lesa A. McComas, USN, US Naval Institute Press

Terminal Objective

Given a mooring situation DISCUSS the

components and procedures involved in
mooring a Naval vessel IAW NSTM Chapter
582, Mooring and Towing.

Enabling Objectives
STATE the numbering sequence for mooring
lines.
DISCUSS the purpose of breast, forward spring,
and after spring lines.
IDENTIFY standard commands to line handlers
and actions performed in response to the
commands.
IDENTIFY the preparations and shiphandling
techniques required to moor to a pier.
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Introduction

Mooring Lines
First Lieutenant, Chief Boatswains Mate (BMC), and Deck
Department LPOs will ensure OOD commands are followed at the
mooring stations and proper safety measures are maintained

Line Handler Commands

Stand by your lines get ready
Pass (Line #) send line ___ to the pier
Slack (Line #) pay out line
Take strain on (Line #) put line ___ under tension
Take in slack on (Line #) heave in line ___ but dont put
under tension
Ease (Line #) pay out line to remove tension
Check (Line #)- Hold line, but ease to prevent parting
Hold (Line #) take enough turns to not allow line to slip
Take in (Line #) heave in line after cast off from bollard
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Line Handler Commands

Take (Line #) to power - place several turns around capstan to
provide enough tension to maneuver ship
Shift lines shipboard line handlers slack lines and pier side
personnel shift to a different bollard as directed by OOD
Avast Heaving stop heaving
Double up and secure pass a bight of line to the pier to secure to a
bollard
Single up pier side removes double-up lines and taken in by ship.
Cast off haul in lines, pier throws off lines from bollard
Surge- slack lines to allow minor ship movement

Mooring Considerations

Mooring Considerations
Physical layout of pier:
What is the layout of the pier with respect to the
approach channel?
What is the width of the berth?
What is the depth of water at the dock?
Are there markings for the Bridge, service connections,
and brow placement?

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Mooring Considerations
Environmental conditions:
Is the wind off-setting or on-setting?
Is the current off-setting or on-setting?
How will wind and current affect your ship specifically?
Other considerations:
Are there other ships moored at the pier?
Will the ship moor port or starboard side to?
Will the ship dock next to the pier or outboard of another
ship?
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Pilots
Pilots are professionally-qualified civilian personnel who are
experts on the waters for which they have been qualified.
By law, pilots are advisors.
Pilots will assist in mooring by issuing commands to the tugs
and provide expert knowledge.

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Springing and Snubbing

Springing is a method of rotating a ship by moving forward or aft
against a spring line, and developing a bow or stern angle to the pier.

Snubbing is a mooring technique that uses a capstan on line one to

twist the bow toward a pier.

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Ship handling Techniques

Split-Ship Configuration: Bow controlled by tug or thrusters.
Stern controlled by engines and rudder
On-Setting Winds and Current: Starboard Twist, Tug away
Wind

Current

Off-Setting Winds and Current: Port Twist, Tug towards

Wind
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Current

Safety Considerations
NEVER STAND IN THE BIGHT OF A LINE.

LINES ARE HANDLED HAND OVER HAND.

NYLON LINE AT PARTING SNAPS BACK AT THE
SPEED OF SOUND.
TEND LINES WELL BEHIND THE BITTS IN CASE
THE LINES SURGES OR PARTS.
NEVER CHECK A LINE WITH YOUR FOOT.
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MISHAP Report
ENS JOHNSON
230910I AUG 99
TRAUMATIC BELOW THE KNEE AMPUTATION OF
BOTH LEGS AT THE KNEE LEVEL. THE LEFT LEG WAS
AMPUTATED AT MID TO PROXIMAL ONE THIRD AND
THE RIGHT LEG WAS AMPUTATED AT AN ANKLE
DISARTICULATION. TRAMATIC AMPUTATION OF LEFT
NON-DOMINANT SMALL FINGER.
* ENS Johnson was standing in a bight when the line parted.

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Questions?

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