Nylacast introduce the Chock Liner with its patented low friction technology supporting safe and reliable moorings of vessels of all types and purpose.
The transition from steel wire rope to fibre rope is widespread across industry. Fibre rope has a good strength to weight ratio and ease of handling, resulting in much lower risk of injury.
Although advantageous, a major weakness of fibre rope is poor resistance to external abuse and abrasion through everyday operations and poor surface contact. Abrasion continues to be one of the most common root causes of rope failure and reduction in its residual strength.
It is impossible for synthetic rope to perform to its maximum capabilities when used with poorly maintained deck equipment, often rusted or with a rough surface finish. Rope manufacturers recommend surfaces are correctly prepared, maintained and routinely inspected before and after rope installation. A 300-microinch finish (7.62 microns) is recommended for all deck hardware which comes into contact with the rope, in addition to the avoidance of chocks heavily scored from previous wire rope use.
The Chock Liner mooring technology from Nylacast provides vessels with the ability to be moored with greater safety, performance and efficiency, offering multiple benefits. The Chock Liner is versatile and capable of being fitted to brand new vessels and retro fitted to existing chocks and panama fairleads with no hot works or dry docking required.
Increased safety is a feature of the Chock Liner which reduces rope wear and abrasion, reducing the risk of breaking or failure. There is also no need for crew members to be near mooring lines under tension, as minimal (if any) chafe protection is required following installation of the Chock Liner.
The Chock Liner’s smooth surface and finish and its material characteristics provides better equalisation of mooring loads, especially when in high swell. The self-lubricating, low friction Chock Liner material requires little or no maintenance and no painting, coating or external protection. Corrosion resistant materials technology is featured on the Chock Liner, providing protection against the arduous environments faced in the global maritime industry.
Custom manufactured from initial chemistry to end product, the Chock Liner is available for use on all chock and vessel sizes. Developed to optimise and enhance vessel moorings, much of the advantages derive from the unique materials technology developed through over 20 years of field experience in design, testing and material selection with fibre ropes.
The featured materials technology in Nylacast Chock Liners allows for the accommodation of HMPE fibre rope with lower risk of abrasion and wear when in contact with the chock or panama fairlead. The Chock Liner is also suitable for polyester/polypropylene, polyester and nylon ropes, as required for FLNG, FSRU and STS where a specific synthetic pennant may pass through the fairlead. In all cases due care and attention is required in relation to the loads involved, chock designs and rope sizes.
This evolution in mooring technology is featured on various vessel types including passenger ships and ferries, container vessels, service vessels, LNG tankers and product carriers, FPSO and special purpose vessels, navy, yachts and fishing vessels.
The Chock Liner has been tried and tested in industry for many years, Master of Teekay’s LNGC TangguhSago commented, “The Nylacast Chock Liner is an excellent product for preventing mooring rope wear and damage. I believe the Chock Liners should be installed on all vessels equipped with HMPE ropes. We have installed 30 Chock Liners to the vessel which are still in excellent condition after 7 years of continuous service and should last the lifetime of the vessel.”
The low weight, low friction materials technology used within the Chock Liner is also featured in a wide range of marine equipment and products from sheaves and pulleys to spooling shells and rollers.
For more information and to enquire about Nylacast’s Chock Liner visit www.chockliner.com