The forces generated by a vessel on the mooring lines due to wind, tide, surge and currents can become extremely high, resulting in progressive failure of the mooring lines and potential damage of the loading arms, access gangway systems and jetty construction. In the case of oil terminals there is even a resulting risk of spillage and environmental damage.

Strainstall’s MoorAlert mooring load monitoring system provides an accurate indication of mooring loads in multi-line mooring spreads. A vessel’s mooring lines are measured by straingauged load measuring pins, installed in the quick release mooring hooks to provide constant real-time monitoring. This enables each mooring line to be pre-tensioned according to each vessel’s individual mooring scheme. The load pins detect any deviation from these defined values and indicate any alarm conditions. The signals from the load pins, together with any other sensors on the hooks, are conditioned by the network interface mounted in a suitable enclosure on the rear of the hook. This then allows the digital sensors from all the hook sensors, along with all other system sensors, to be transmitted over a simple two wire loop back to the control room. Strainstall have been designing and manufacturing load measuring pins for over 40 years, and the design utilises the unique experience gained over this period to provide a reliable, totally environmentally sealed unit, that will perform for the life of the installation.

The instrumented hooks and electronics can be supplied in hazardous area certified form for use on oil and gas jetties, and have been supplied to many port and harbour installations world-wide.

ArmAlert – Loading Arm Monitoring
Sensors incorporated into the loading arms monitor their position to ensure that they are used within their operational envelopes. Should the loading arms be operated outside their scope it is possible that the seals may be damaged and allow spillage of the cargo. Fender deflection and/or load can be monitored.

MetOcean Monitoring
Sensors to monitor any meteorological and oceanographic parameters can be incorporated into the system. Typical parameters measured include wind speed, air pressure and temperature, visibility, rainfall, current speed and direction, tidal level and wave height and water temperature.