Mooring operation

Mooring is the operation of securing a ship to a berth or buoy with mooring lines, run out and tensioned to hold the ship against wind, current, and passing-vessel surge. Lines are arranged as head, stern, breast, and spring lines so each works in its designed direction. OCIMF MEG4, the fourth edition of the Mooring Equipment Guidelines issued in 2018, sets the Ship Design MBL as the parameter that sizes winches, lines, and fittings, and requires a Line Management Plan covering inspection and retirement. Snap-back from a parted line under tension is a leading cause of mooring fatalities.