CIHEAM - INSTITUTO AGRONOMICO MEDITERRANEO DE ZARAGOZA

ADVANCED COURSE: MEDITERRANEAN AQUACULTURE

Off-shore mariculture: MOORING SYSTEM DESIGN
File ref: LUOM4Y18

Robin Turner: Seawork (Scotland) Ltd: Eiridh na Greine: Ardfern: By Lochgilphead: Argyll: PA31 8QN: Scotland: UK

Key words: mooring, mariculture, offshore aquaculture

Mots-cls : mouillage, mariculture, aquaculture en plein mer

INTRODUCTION: THE DEVELOPMENT HISTORY OF MOORINGS The history of anchoring boats is very old, and we have learnt progressively from the mistakes and ideas of our ancestors. This process of learning and development has continued as before, but rapidly accelerated due to the increased scale of boats, and diversification of their purpose. However, we are still learning, and still making unavoidable mistakes. The purpose of this introduction is to introduce some key concepts in mooring.

(c )S

Temporary Anchoring: in Sheltered Waters: In the days of paddles, oars, and sails, before mechanical propulsion, there was always a necessity to temporarily fix ones boat to the seabed, when conditions were not favourable, or where one wished to remain near the shore for a short time. This lead to the design of anchors, and the anchor rodes (the rising lines from anchor to surface). Some interesting uses of anchors and sail, in the days before mechanical propulsion, include: Underwater sails in the currents of River Estuaries and channels: eg: Oyster dredging, working down river during an upstream wind, (in Europe, and possibly on the Nile). Anchor use to control progress down current: Commonly used by large barges, in Rivers and Tidal Channels, from the Middle East to Europe. I understand this technique was also used by River boats in the Mississippi, and elsewhere in the Americas. The Romans had a Port 200 miles inland, at Zaragoza, in Spain, where barges were sailed up and down river, but in unfavourable circumstances, dragged upstream by teams of slaves, and later, horses. Anchoring of Small Boats and Ships: As simple boats became larger, and ventured further from the shore, the technology became more complex, with anchors, chains and ropes being carefully specified to preserve the safety of the ship. Many of the types of anchors used in Fish Farming today have been developed from this ancient technology. Anchor Types: The first anchors were usually simple weights, or gravity anchors. But these had to be larger and larger, as boats increased in size, and the sites where boats wished to anchor, became

ea w

or k

-S

co tla

RESUME Le developpement des systemes de culture en cages est dependant d'un certain nombre d'elements structurels et operationnels. La conception et l'installation de systemes de mouillages pour des installations d'aquaculture en mer est un element critique dans l'etablissement de systemes de productions surs et effectifs. Un cahier des charges des mouillages peut etre determine apres une etude approfondie du site, une appreciation des caracteristiques des cages et apres une etude des besoins operationnels de la ferme. La mise en place de ce cahier des charges est particulierementimportante dans le cas de la mariculture en haute mer, pour laquelle la pression environnementale est beaucoup plus importante. Cet article passe en revue les aspects techniques des systemes d'aquaculture marins flottants, et expose les grandes lignes des performances, en fonctions des conditions potentielles du site.

nd

Lt d

SUMMARY the development of cage culture systems need to be understood as a function of a number of different structural and operational elements. The design and installation of mooring systems for marine aquaculture units is a very critical element in the establishment of reliable and effective production systems. Based on careful assessment of site conditions, and an appreciation of cage system characteristics and farm operating requirements, suitable mooring specifications may be developed. This process is particularly important for offshore mariculture, where environmental loadings may be far more demanding. This paper reviews the engineering aspects of mooring marine aquaculture systems with respect to potential site conditions.

less sheltered. However, Gravity anchors have the advantage that they can be thrown into the water in any manner, and still work. They can also carry load in any direction, and will not break out, if the current or wind direction change. Anchor Types: continued: Anchors can to some extent be classified as suitable for use as a Ships anchor, or as special High Holding Power Anchors. Ships Anchors must have Roll Stability, which means that if thrown into the water, landing in any position on the seabed, they will rotate and align themselves of their own accord into a position where they dig into the seabed.

Interesting and unusual facts about anchors, chains and ropes, include the following: A early form of Gravity anchor was a sack of sand, secured with a special knot. This was used by beach fishermen, who could simply fill a sack on the day, and sling it off the bow of a small boat.

(c )S

Chains & Ropes: Ropes were used from the earliest days, but this was less effective as the size of boats increased, due to the potential for abrasion, and the lightness of the rope, which caused an upward force on the front of the anchor, during extreme conditions. This in turn caused many anchors to drag over the seabed, unless the water was very shallow, and the rope very long. Drag embedment anchors were especially vulnerable, and it became evident that sufficient weight was required on the rode, to maintain a horizontal pull on the anchor. This lead to the use of Iron chain, both to provide the necessary weight, and also have the hardness to resist seabed abrasion. When chain started to replace ropes as anchor rodes many European manufacturers entered the potential market. However the size and quality of their products varied considerably, and it was difficult to buy chain of exactly the specification required. The British Admiralty lost many vessels through the failure of inadequate chains, and passed a Law, regulating the standard sizes of chains. A standard length of 15 Fathoms (90 or 27.4 metres) was called a Shackle of chain, so a Ships Master could call on the Fore castle crew to veer a specific number of shackles of chain, for the depth.

Anchoring & Mooring: Most Boats and Ships working close to land, will chose to anchor in a sheltered lee, if they cannot run for Harbour. However, every ship which cannot proceed under its own power, either due to mechanical failure, adverse wind directions or storm conditions, will seek to anchor to avoid being driven ashore. Having an adequate anchor and rode, for the depth and seabed material, is crucial in preventing a wreck, and perhaps loss of life. Also many ships will pick up a permanent mooring, to avoid Pier dues. Mooring and anchoring can be classified according to the following categories:

ea w

or k

In the absence of chain, early Mariners used weights run down the rope anchor rode, to maintain the pull on the anchor more nearly parallel to the seabed. These weights were particularly useful to prevent loss of the Ship and Crew, due to the dragging of anchors during a storm. For this reason these weights became known as Angels.

-S

Early anchors discovered by Marine Archaeologists were fore-runners of the present day Fishermen Anchors, with 2 flukes, and a stock at right angles to the shank, and are more than 3,000 years old.

co tla

nd

The variety of ships anchors is bewildering, reflecting the importance of their function, differences in seabed material, and the centuries of development.

Lt d