Mooring arrangement against terminal and vessel plans
What is being checked
The inspector is checking whether the actual mooring arrangement agrees with both the terminal plan and the configurations permitted by the vessel's Mooring System Management Plan. The review may include line numbers, service, lead angles, supplementary shore lines and any berth-specific mooring analysis.
Ready onboard
0/8 completePractice questions
Answer aloud, then open the preparation point.
1Show how this terminal mooring plan was checked against the MSMP.
Use the vessel’s approved procedures, records and fitted-equipment instructions. Demonstrate the evidence rather than giving only a general answer.
2If the terminal and MSMP require different numbers of lines, which requirement do you follow?
Use the vessel’s approved procedures, records and fitted-equipment instructions. Demonstrate the evidence rather than giving only a general answer.
3What are the permitted horizontal and vertical lead-angle limits for this arrangement?
Use the vessel’s approved procedures, records and fitted-equipment instructions. Demonstrate the evidence rather than giving only a general answer.
4Show the plan or record of the mooring layout actually used at the present or previous berth.
Use the vessel’s approved procedures, records and fitted-equipment instructions. Demonstrate the evidence rather than giving only a general answer.
5What would you do if a shore hook were unavailable and the terminal proposed an alternative pattern?
Use the vessel’s approved procedures, records and fitted-equipment instructions. Demonstrate the evidence rather than giving only a general answer.
6Where double banking is undertaken, how is adequate restraint for both vessels demonstrated?
Use the vessel’s approved procedures, records and fitted-equipment instructions. Demonstrate the evidence rather than giving only a general answer.
Where an observation may arise
Permitted standard and alternative configurations or lead-angle limits are missing.
No evidence that the terminal plan was checked against the MSMP before mooring.
Actual line number, service or pattern differs from the applicable terminal or vessel requirement.
A deployed line exceeds a permitted horizontal or true vertical angle.
Required supplementary shore lines were not used.
The vessel did not follow a required berth-specific mooring analysis.
No analysis demonstrates adequate restraint for both vessels.
Master's practical note
Do not accept a terminal sketch merely because the number of lines looks adequate. Compare each service and lead against the MSMP before arrival, and retain the final agreed plan. Once alongside, walk the deck and confirm that the physical arrangement is the arrangement that was assessed, including any unavailable hook, changed lead or shore line.
Equipment boundary and references
Equipment boundary: The acceptable configuration and lead-angle limits are vessel-specific and must come from the approved MSMP and any berth analysis. DeepDraft should not prescribe a universal line pattern.
References
- OCIMF Mooring Equipment Guidelines, Fourth Edition (MEG4)
- Vessel Mooring System Management Plan
- Terminal mooring plan or berth-specific mooring analysis
- ISM Code section 7
Last reviewed: 2026-08-11