The importance of lines and moorings on a vessel

Of all the mooring systems, the mooring system is the one that has evolved the least throughout history in the nautical world.  Ships are moored to the pontoons or docks by means of powerful ropes known as mooring ropes. Their function is to stop the ship, and like the handbrake in cars, we must take into account the importance of the lines and moorings on a boat. 

In this post you will be able to differentiate the different names of the lines and moorings according to their characteristics, their parts, what they are made of and we will even talk about their maintenance... Let's get started!

Parts of a rope

To make you aware of the importance of the lines and moorings on a boat we need to make sure you are able to differentiate their parts... Do you have any idea what they are called? There are three of them: the firm, the breast and the chanter.

The chicote, as well as a well-known Spanish chef, is the name given to the end of a line, the rest would belong to the firm.

Any type of curvature formed by the line is known as a sine, and the attachment of a line to an object is known as a lap.

Different names of a rope

Depending on their thickness, ropes can be called by different names:

Construction and different types of ropes

The importance of ropes and lashings on board a ship has always been known, so in the past, ropes of different natural fibres were used for all shipboard functions, materials such as cotton, linen, sisal, hemp, etc., held masts, sails and were used for lashing. The discovery of various synthetic fibres such as polypropylene, polyester and nylon led to the complete disappearance of natural fibres on board ships. 

A rope is made by joining a group of fibres, which are first joined together to make threads, which in turn form cords.

By twisting three or more strands together we can have a twisted rope but if these strands are braided together we have a braided rope. A braided rope can also be wrapped and so we have a third type of rope which is the wrapped rope. 

When mooring a boat it is good that the rope used has elasticity as this way the boat suffers less movement when moored, this rope is very appropriate for this use. When looking for a low stretch and flexible rope to pass through pulleys or to tie knots, braided ropes should be used and if you are also looking for softness to be handled with the hands, lined ropes should be used.

Mooring ropes for boats

The mooring lines are called differently according to the direction in which they work when leaving the vessel through the guide or the chock and can be of different types: 

• LONG

They are used to place the vessel in an initial position and are given as far forward or as far aft as possible (as long as possible). They are used to keep the vessel close to the berth and basically to avoid longitudinal displacements of the vessel.

• SPRING

These are the moorings that are placed diagonally. They act in a similar way to a pier, hence their name. 

They are used to keep the boat stationary and in position. Their main purpose is to prevent longitudinal movements of the ship when it is moored...

• TRAVES

These are moorings that run perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the ship. They are used to leave the ship attached or moored to the mooring place. Their purpose is to prevent the ship from detaching from its berth, and also to prevent the ship from moving transversally with respect to its berth.

• ELBOW BRACE

The elbow brace is the line that is firmly attached to the bow and stern to moor the boat to a buoy or a ship, on the opposite side to the quay where we are moored, and, approximately perpendicular to the starting points.

The purpose of the elbow braces is to hold the boat in bad weather and prevent it from hitting the quay. They are used to undock by pulling on them when the wind comes from the sea.

They must be given with a dinghy, and, by stern, to facilitate the exit of the boat (to give by stern is to give the mooring in such a way that the two whips remain on board, once they have been passed through the buoy or the ring).

Maintenance of ropes

If you really value the importance of the lines and moorings on a boat, it is very important that you know how to keep them in perfect condition. To do this, it is essential to rinse the lines with fresh, lukewarm water from time to time, to remove the salt, but under no circumstances should you put them in the washing machine as this will break the fibres.

That's it! Now you know all you need to know about this ancient (but effective) system and you appreciate the importance of lines and moorings on a boat.

Just imagine a reality without this functional system!