RUNNING MOOR

1. The Running moor is an anchoring operation carried out in areas of restricted

manoeuvrability where the wind and tide are strong and from different directions.
2. Stem the tide. In this case tide is 090˚ and wind is 000˚.
3. Let go the weather anchor with engines going ahead (at about 4-5 knots).
4. Stop the engines, maintain headway, Continue to pay anchor cable to 8 shackles
(double the required shackles).
5. The vessel will stop due to the braking action of the anchor and will start falling
astern. Let go the lee anchor and pay out the cable, meanwhile picking up slack on
the weather anchor and manoeuvring vessel away from the lee anchor towards the
weather anchor.
6. The vessel may need astern propulsion to begin astern movement.
7. Once the vessel has reached the position (half way between i.e. 4 shackles on each
cable).
8. The lee anchor will be the riding cable.
 STANDING MOOR

1. Stem the tide.

2. Vessel should be stopped over the ground.
3. Obtain stern way either by the effect of the tidal stream or by operating stern
propulsion.
4. Let go the lee anchor (riding cable).
5. Allow the vessel to drop astern.
6. Pay out the cable up to 8 shackles (double the required length).
7. Take the stern way off the vessel by use of engines ahead and by checking out
the cables.
8. Order maximum helm away from the released anchor.
9. Let go the weather anchor now (sleeping anchor)
10. Continue to heave on the riding cable and pay out on the sleeping cable until
the vessel is brought up.
11. Continue to use engines ahead or astern as necessary to ease the weight on the
cables.
 BALTIC MOOR

PURPOSE:
A Baltic moor is used in ports where there is a strong onshore wind to prevent
damages to the jetty or the vessel.
The vessel’s anchor and stern mooring wire are used to make a controlled approach to
the berth.

PREPARATIONS:
The stern mooring wire is passed in bights and connected to the Ganger length of the
anchor which is to be used. Light sail twine secure the mooring wire in bights.
The shackles used for the operation shall be capable of passing through the hawse
pipe for easy and safe operation.

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION:
1. An approach is made with the vessel parallel to the berth with the wind on the
beam OR slightly abaft of the beam.
2. The offshore anchor is let go when the vessel 3 shackles off the berth. The
distance off the berth depends upon the wind and weather conditions.
3. As the anchor cable is paid out the seizings part and the stern mooring wire is
also paid out.
4. The vessel will be pushed by the wind and approaches the berth slowly.
5. The cable and the wire are evenly paid out.
6. Ship’s fenders are to be used to prevent any damage.
7. Pass head and stern line as soon as possible.
8. Take the weight on the moorings before taking weight on the anchor and the
mooring wire.
9. The moorings fore and aft prevent the vessel from ranging the berth.
10. This tends to harden up the inshore moorings.
11. During unberthing the achor and the stern mooring wire can be used to bodily
draw the vessel off the quay.
12. Once clear of the quay engines and the helm can be used to clear the berth
safely and get underway.
 OPEN MOOR

PURPOSE:
Te Open moor is used extensively when additional holding power is required in very
strong tide or wind conditions.

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION:
1. Stem the current and/or headwind.
2. Walk back both the anchors just above water level.
3. Steam to a position where the vessel intends to let go the windward anchor.
4. Let go the port anchor and continue to steam with a minimum headway to the
required number of shackles, paying out on the port anchor cable.
5. Once the second anchor position is reached, let go the stbd anchor and with
minimum sternway, hold on to the port anchor and pay out on the stbd anchor
until both the anchors have even scope.
6. Once both the anchors have even scope additional shackles can be paid out as
required, till the vessel is at the required position.
7. Once the vessel is in the final mooring position, it is necessary to check on
both the cables and ensure both the anchors are embedded and holding.