Page 172 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

178 NAVAL SKILLS

A boatswain's mate passes the eye of a second bow line from a Navy destroyer over a bollard on a pier. Note the stockless anchor dangling from
the hawsepipe, ready to be let go if the ship had difficulty while maneuvering into its berth. (Douglas Morrison)

striking thelll with a hammer. All links are tested if the chain was Bitts are cylindrical objects made of steel implanted in the
subjected to a heavy strain. If a link rings. it is all right; if it sounds deck. They are arranged in pairs, each pair mounted on a separate
flat. it may be damaged, and in this event. it must be marked for footing. Usually there is a set ofbitts forward and aft of each moor-
later replacement. ing chock, for usc in securing mooring lines.
A mooring chock is a heavy fitting 011 the deck edge with smooth
rounded surfaces through which mooring lines are led. i'dooring
Mooring lines are run from bitts on deck through chocks to bollards all the

" ship is /IIoored when it is made fast to a mooring buoy, whell it pier when a ship is moored. Chocks nre of three kinds: (1 ) opell
is swinging all a bight of chain between two anchors, or when it chock, a mooring chock open at the top; (2) closed chock, a mooring
is secured by lines to a pier or another ship. Mooring a ship to a chock closed b)' an arch of metal across its top; and (3) roller chock,
pier, buo}'. or another ship, and unlllooring, are some of the most a mooring chock that contains a set of rolJers for reducing friction.
basic jobs of the deck department. These tasks require skillful use of A ballard is a strong Illushroom-shaped fitting on a pier.
mooring lines and deck winches. Deck fittings such as cleats, bitts, around which the eye or bight of a ship's mooring line is placed.
bollards, chocks. and towing padeyes are used in the process (see A tOll'illg pm/eye is a large padeye of extra strength located on
illustration). Quick. efficient line handling when coming alongside the stern that is used in towing operations.
or getting under way is one of the marks of a smart ship.
Deck and pier fittings. The fittings used in mooring and unmoor- Mooring Lines to a Pier
ing are important to the lise of mooring lines. Sailors must know
Ships are moored to piers. wharves, and other ships with a set
when and how to lise these fittings to do a smart job arline handling.
of mooring lines. In general, the), are as light as possible to ease
A clent is a device welded to the deck that looks like a pair of
handling. They are also strong enough to take a big strain during
projecting horns. It is used for fastening a line or wire.
mooring, and to hold a ship in place when secured.