Winch bollard design aids safe mooring operations - TTS Group ASA

TECHNOLOGY - BOLLARDS
Winch bollard design
aids safe mooring
operations
Following on from the UK P&I Club’s article on the dangers of mooring operations
(see TA�KEROperator, �ovember/December, page 8), TTS Marine has advised us
of its new patented TTS Winch Bollard, which the company claims is much safer
and easier to use than the more conventional systems currently available.
The new equipment can replace
mooring winches, capstans,
warping drums and bollards
normally used for mooring,
TTS said. Tests have shown that the new
system’s mooring and tightening of slack
rope operations can easily be carried out
by one person instead of the usual two
seafarers, the company claimed.
The company said that its Winch Bollard
contributes to safe mooring operations, as
it reduces risks of injuries during mooring
and rope disruption caused by too high
rope tension on the fixed bollard, or with
slack moorings. By fitting the system, a
saving on deck space can also be made as
there is less equipment needed for mooring
operations. It is available both in hydraulic
The stern
section of one
of the Vela
VLCCs showing
TTS’ Winch
Bollards in
place.
January/February 2011 � TANKEROperator 39

TECHNOLOGY - BOLLARDS
40
Winch Bollard basic
features
� Compact, clean and water resistant
design.
� Direct mooring without use of
stoppers.
� One man operated.
� Optimal and safe control during
mooring by means of a control
stand with a foot pedal, integrated
emergency stop and a flexible
cable connection.
� Easy controllable fail safe brakes.
� Stepless speed control with high
light line speed.
� Automatically reduction of line
speed when the load is increased.
� Low noise during operation.
� Self-lubricated bearings for low
maintenance.
Standard equipment
� Complete winch bollard with
necessary equipment to ensure
safe operation.
� Frequency converter with control
unit (electrical version).
� Prepared for connection to the
vessel’s ring line system or HPU
(hydraulic version).
� Foundation prepared for welding
to the vessel’s main deck structure.
� Entire steel structure made of
certified steel and sand blasted to
Sa 2.5 prior to painting.
� Exterior paintwork: top quality,
two-component epoxy/acrylic
paint of highest marine standard.
Colour according to owner’s
choice.
� Full set of operating manuals and
spare parts list.
� Optional pipe hatch; rope; storage
drums; HPU; radio control etc, on
request.
The patented TTS Winch Bollard is a safe and easy, one-man operated
mooring device that avoids the human wear and tear associated with standard
mooring procedures. Rope tension is handled mechanically leaving the operator
to simply oversee the securing process. The device is designed to replace
capstans, wrapping drums and bollards used in conventional mooring.
Shipboard handling excellence
Call TTS Marine: +47 38 04 95 00 www.ttsgroup.com
and electric versions.
TTS said that the Norwegian Maritime
Directorate (NMD) had shown great interest
in the positive results of mooring safety
when using the Winch Bollard.
Feedback from the two vessels on
which WB250 type was mounted was
claimed to be very positive. A testimony
from one of the vessel’s owners said; “We
have found the winch bollards to be very
useful.
In Scottish waters where we have a
large tidal range, ships’ moorings require
to be tended more frequently. Using TTS
Winch Bollards means tending rope
s during the night can be a one man
operation”.
Eight Winch Bollards were recently
installed on board four large tankers
managed by Vela. They are all installed on
the tankers’ quarterdecks.
There are three different size ranges
available –
� WB250 with a 4 tonne pull force.
� WB400 with a 8 tonne pull force.
� WB500 with a 15 tonne pull force. TO
TANKEROperator � January/February 2011