Autoanchor
Further designs
The Moormaster™ 400 system
(Click to enlarge)
The IronSailor concept spawned several other ship-mounted concepts, including the MoorMaster Series T, which is designed to meet the needs of barge and inland waterway operators. The system allows smaller service craft to automatically secure to larger vessels for transhipment operations.
Following the development of the “Iron Sailor” system and its successful deployment, it was clear that the idea not only worked but that it had enormous potential. The company hired two young engineers to work on further design work.
While ship-mounted units continue to show great promise – particularly in situations such as ferry routes where a vessel calls at fixed ports and berths - it became clear that the real potential to achieve widespread uptake of the mooring system lay in wharf-mounted systems.
“Modifying wharves would be a much easier means to achieving widespread adoption of our mooring system than convincing ship owners to make expensive modifications to their vessels,” says Montgomery.
The range of problems involved in developing wharf-mounted systems means a multidisciplinary approach must be taken. Some of the factors that need to be considered, include in-depth analysis of hull forms and loads, civil structural requirements, customer needs and environmental conditions. Wharves come in all different shapes and sizes. Security issues have become important. Developers must understand the operational environment the system will work in, and the tidal movements at the site.
