Marine Steel Bollard for Mooring

Safety:

When a vessel is moored, it is held in place by the tension in the mooring lines. Mooring bollards are designed to handle the high loads and forces that are generated by these lines, helping to ensure that the vessel remains securely anchored to the dock or quay. This is crucial for preventing accidents or damage to the vessel, the dock, or nearby structures. This reduces the risk of accidents and injury to crew and passengers.

Efficiency:

Mooring bollards are strategically placed along the dock or quay to allow for multiple vessels to be secured at once. This helps to maximize the use of available dock space and minimize delays or bottlenecks in the loading and unloading of cargo. Additionally, bollards are designed to be easily accessible to crew members, who can quickly attach or detach mooring lines as needed, speeding up the mooring process.

Durability:

Mooring bollards are typically made of high-strength materials, such as cast iron or steel, which are resistant to corrosion and can withstand harsh marine environments. This makes them a reliable and long-lasting investment for port operators and shipowners alike.

Easy to operate:

Once installed, mooring bollards are easy to operate and require minimal maintenance, thereby saving time, effort and costs in the long run.

Cost-effective:

Installing mooring bollards can be a cost-effective way of providing berthing facilities for different types of vessels, thereby reducing the need for more expensive docking systems.

Tee bollard:
Known for having a T-shaped head, The Tee Bollard widely used around the world, thanks to its simplicity and the fact that it has optimum function for berthing forces of up to 300 tonnes. Moreover, it provides for greater berthing angles than a bitt or kidney-shaped bollard.

Horn bollard:
Also known as a "deer horn", This bollard can also accommodate highly pronounced berthing angles, with up to 200 tonnes of berthing force. Its shape can accommodate two berthing lines, provided the aforementioned load capacity is not exceeded.

"Kidney" bollard:
It stands out with its curved (kidney-shaped) design, Which is suitable for berthing operations at low and medium tides. This is an economical solution for ports where working with pronounced angles while berthing is not necessary. They also handle up to 200 tonnes, but it is not recommended that they share two berthing lines, given the slight pronunciation of their upper end.

Double-bitt bollard:
Also called twin, This sort of double bitt bollard is useful when there is a high density of berthing lines, securing two independently. The base's small area saves space for small port facilities or facilities with limited space.

Single-bitt bollard:
This is especially useful in places with highly varying tides since they can handle pronounced angles. They can work with multiple berthing lines and were designed to fit into the bolts on the old American-style pillar bollards.

Pillar bollards:
These are used when tide differences are slight and for operations to drag ships along the docks. Given their 360-degree load reach, they can be placed on docks where ships berth on both sides of the structure.

Design considerations for mooring bollards:
● Load capacity: The load capacity of the bollard must be carefully calculated to ensure that it can safely withstand the forces generated by the mooring lines of the vessel it will be used to secure. This will depend on factors such as the size and weight of the vessel, the prevailing weather conditions, and the type and strength of the mooring lines.
● Location: The location of the bollard should be carefully chosen to ensure that it is easily accessible for crew members to attach and detach mooring lines, while also providing enough space for multiple vessels to be moored simultaneously.
● Materials: Bollards are typically made of durable materials such as cast iron, steel, or stainless steel, which are resistant to corrosion and can withstand harsh marine environments.
● Design: The design of the bollard should be carefully considered to ensure that it is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Some common bollard designs include the traditional "T" shape, as well as more decorative designs that can be customized to fit the specific needs of the port or vessel owner.

Installation process for mooring bollards:
● Site preparation: The area where the bollards will be installed must be cleared of any debris or obstructions, and the ground should be leveled and compacted to provide a stable foundation.
● Foundation installation: The bollard foundation should be carefully designed to ensure that it can support the load capacity of the bollard. This may involve pouring a concrete foundation, or using pre-cast or pre-fabricated foundations.
● Bollard installation: Once the foundation is in place, the bollard can be installed using bolts or anchor rods. The bollard should be securely attached to the foundation to ensure that it will not become dislodged during use.
● Testing: After installation, the bollards should be load tested to ensure that they can safely withstand the forces generated by the mooring lines of the vessel.

Maintenance and inspection of mooring bollards:
● Regular inspections: Bollards should be inspected regularly to ensure that they are in good condition and can safely support the loads they are designed to withstand.
● Cleaning and lubrication: Bollards should be cleaned regularly to remove any dirt, debris, or salt buildup that could cause corrosion or other damage. They should also be lubricated periodically to ensure that they remain easy to use.
● Repairs and replacement: If a bollard is found to be damaged or worn out, it should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible to ensure that it remains safe and functional. Regular maintenance and prompt repairs can help to extend the lifespan of mooring bollards and ensure that they continue to provide reliable service for many years.

Two (2) main types of testing are carried out for mooring bollards and other mooring hardware. These are the Pull Testing, and Bolt Testing. These tests are done to ensure that the mooring hardware is capable of holding its design load.

The Pull Testing can be carried out in four methods, which are enumerated as follows:

● Pull test with a test rig, which may include jacking equipment

● Pull test with a land-based crane or winch

● Pull test with a water-based crane or winch

● Pull test similar mooring hardware one-against-the-other to test two pieces of mooring hardware at once using weight handling equipment to apply the load.

Apart from the Pull Test, the Bolt Test must also be carried out to determine the adequacy of the installed bolts of the mooring bollard to resist the design loads. Should the bolts be fastened onto concrete, shear stresses are transmitted to the concrete and/or grout base. This implies that bolts/ fasteners of mooring bollards only need to be tested in tension for this type of installation. Tension test for these bolts shall conform to ASTM E488, Standard Test Methods for Strength of Anchors in Concrete and Masonry Elements.

Generally, the procedure involving Bolt Testing of mooring hardware is as follows:

● Remove the grout and nuts from the bolts

● Pull-test each bolt to 110% of its working load using a pull test rig, and shall conform to the provisions stated in ASTM E488

● If the test is successful, reinstall the nuts and grout to the design condition

● If the bolt fails, take out of service and replace as soon as possible.