Jeff Main, Managing Director of PTI Preferred Partner BLT, makes a convincing case for the testing of bollards in ports. As the size of ships increases, so do the dangers, unless bollards are correctly monitored:
An oft overlooked area when it comes to the safe mooring of vessels in ports, shipyards and harbours is testing the safe working load (SWL) of bollards. With the size of vessels ever-increasing, the time has come to focus and raise the issues that have been experienced with bollard failure, as well as the challenges faced in testing the SWL of bollards.
This article aims to raise awareness to a significant contemporary problem and the certain increasing future problems that have been identified with relevant people in the marine industry through ongoing research and discussions. Information of a Patent Pending innovative product and method of testing bollards has been provided, and for the first time, we can recommend a practical, cost-effective and easy-to-use solution to test the safe working load of marine bollards.
The problem
Bollards and fixings may suffer from corrosion, fatigue and other effects which may weaken the bollard or supporting structure over a period of time. Such damage may not be immediately apparent and may have serious consequences on the ability of a bollard to withstand the force being exerted upon it. Bollards are anticipated to have a long life, with many being in quayside use for 40, 50, or even 60 years plus. However, bollards with such a long life-span were not always designed to moor the new generation of mega-ships.
The forces experienced by bollards…
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