N101-071 TITLE: Advanced Shore Based Mooring (ASBM)

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: NAVFAC Facilities Improvement Program ACAT IV

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to develop an efficient shore-based mechanical system for reliably mooring US Navy ships to the Navy’s piers and wharves. "Efficient" means that the mooring holds the ship in surge, sway and yaw, but leaves the ship full unrestrained in heave, roll and pitch. "Shore-based" means that no equipment is stored on the ship or boat. "Mechanical" means that a minimum of personnel (and possibly no shore personnel) are required to make up the mooring. "Reliable" means demonstration that the shore-based mooring system will hold ships in environmental conditions at least as well as current mooring practice. "US Navy ships" means all large cargo, combat and submarine ships and boats that are currently operating in the US Navy Fleet, except maybe the aircraft carrier class of ships (CV).

DESCRIPTION: The basic process for mooring a ship has remained unchanged since the first ships were sailed thousands of years ago. Many mooring hardware failures result from mooring line working inefficiently and resulting in the mooring trying to lift up or pull down the ship as water-level changes. Ship cleats/bits, dock bollards, mooring lines and other mooring hardware are not designed for these ship weight loads, nor are the structures that anchor this mooring hardware. Giving these inefficiencies, fender placement, performance, and maintenance is always problematic.

PHASE I: Develop a conceptual design for an efficient advanced shore-based mooring (ASBM) system for reliably mooring US Navy ships to the Navy’s piers and wharves. There should be a particular focus on the US Navy’s unique classes of ships and boats that are unlike normal flat sided commercial cargo carriers, including planned classes of surface ships with sharp radar-defeating angled sides and classes of submarine boats with soft surfaces and many hull appurtenances. US aircraft carriers that currently require camels to keep the overhanging deck clear of the wharf and pier need not be included.

PHASE II: Develop a detailed design and build a rough prototype of the chosen ASBM. Both grip- or vacuum-based attachment to the hull is acceptable. The prototype must work for a large range of ship/boat classes and sizes. The ASBM prototype must be amenable to full automation from the bridge of the ship or from a port control center. Different ASBM prototypes may be specified for surface ships and compared to subsurface boats.

PHASE III: Install and test the prototype an ASBM at a US naval installation. Assess the basic reliability and efficiency of the ASBM prototype. Suggest specific detailed design changes to make production models work better.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Shipping companies are already seriously considering how to improve the non-optimized nature, the large cost, and labor-intensive process of line-based mooring that is currently used in most ports throughout the world. The Navy’s unique requirements will not necessarily be met by these commercial systems, although the basic mechanics between commercial and navy systems may be identical.

REFERENCES:
1. UFC 4-159-03, United Facilities Criteria, Design: Moorings, Naval Facilities Command, October 2005

2. S9086-TW-STM-010/CH-582R2, Naval Ships’ Technical Manual, Chapter 582, Mooring and Towing, Naval Sea Command, December 2001

KEYWORDS: Pier; Wharf; Ship; Mooring; Berthing; Automated; Fender

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