TTS has revolutionised traditional mooring operations by developing a simple, risk-free system, effectively making the use of capstans, stoppers and traditional bollards redundant.
The TTS Winch Bollard works by holding the mooring line firmly, leaving the tightening and slackening operation managed by use of a portable foot pedal. The operator thus has both hands freed up for work.
The first Winch Bollard prototype was installed for a test period onboard the coaster With Junior in 2003. Following that success and further development, the system has been sold to an additional seven vessels; the three latest being coastguard vessels currently under construction at the Myklebust shipyard.
Captain Audun Olsen of supply vessel Normand Skipper says: “The Winch Bollard has many advantages over the use of a regular capstan. I’ve witnessed many finger injuries sustained as the result of mooring, but the Winch Bollard enables the crew to avoid contact with the mooring line on the winch, so preventing injury. Minor injuries onboard offshore vessels are often a result of routine work on deck, and we welcome any aids to lessening the risk.”
Another advantage of the Winch Bollard is that it reduces manning requiremens. One person is needed for operation during mooring and in adjusting and tightening the line. Able-bodied seaman Alexander Myrvang of the Normand Skipper says: “Previously, when the mooring line became jammed, it often needed two people to solve the problem. With the new system, one person can handle it alone, and safety is vastly improved. We take a turn round the winch bollard prior to entering port, avoiding close proximity to the winch and so avoiding the risk of ‘trapping’ injuries which this entails”, adds Myrvang.
“I was sceptical when I first saw the equipment,” says able-bodied seaman Anton Smenes, who has 32 years’ experience onboard supply vessels. “After having used the Winch Bollard for the first time onboard Normand Skipper, I can confirm that the equipment functions superbly well. It is especially useful when bringing in the mooring line – I can single-handedly operate the winch with the foot pedal while letting the mooring line feed into the storage box. Previously, it would have needed two people to do the same thing. It’s also good to be able to stand well clear of the winch in the event that anything should happen. Lifting the foot from the pedal stops the winch immediately,” adds Smenes.
