A revolutionary automated mooring system designed by Christchurch company Cavotec offers ship owners and port operators improved safety, productivity and turn-around times.

Characteristics of Technological Outcomes

• Perception of a technological outcome as both a product and a system
• Fitness for purpose of an outcome in terms of its physical and functional nature and the socio-technological environment within which it is used

Technological Modelling

• Prototype testing

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Discussion starters:

• In the maritime industry the mooring of ships while in port has been traditionally carried out using systems of ropes.  What are the major difficulties that can be experienced during the mooring process? What are the positive and negative attributes of a traditional rope system?
• The revolutionary MoorMaster™ system was designed to offer a more efficient mooring alternative for ship owners and port operators. How would the efficiency of a mooring system be evaluated?
• Explain how the MoorMaster™ operates in terms of a technological system. Identify inputs, outputs and transformations within the system.
• Explain the control aspects of the system.
• Explain the following terminology in the context of the automated mooring story:
  • Payback term
  • Potential market
  • Manufacturing under licence
  • Testing and trailling
  • Reliability and redundancy