11
8 Mooring preparation
(not for DWR-G4)
Even though the mooring is no sensor by itself, it is a crucial part of a wave measuring system.
It solves the paradox of keeping the buoy on its location while at the same time allowing the
buoy to follow the orbital wave motion.
Your mooring has been shipped to you pre-assembled as far as possible. The only things you
have to do are:
(1)
adjust the Polypropylene line to the correct length and attach the yellow float according
manual (page 70-73) and connect the terminals (page 64)
(2)
attach the sinker weight or chain to the P- rope according manual (page 70-73)
(3)
connect the P- rope end with the yellow float to the anchor weight using the 25 mm
shackle provided and connect the other end to the rubber cord.
(4)
connect the rubber cord to the buoy chain
(5)
connect orange float(s) if required (only for mooring depth 8-34 m DWR or 8-17 WR)
After fastening the nut on the shackle bolt it must be secured from
unscrewing by applying a split pin. Push both legs of the split pin
through the hole in the bolt and bend them back, one leg round
each side of the bolt. Bring a suitable pair of pliers and a few spare
split pins (included).
To avoid entangling the mooring line, lay it out on the deck of the ship as a stack of ‘eights’. To
keep everything in place you may tie a rope around the waist, leaving one loop of the ‘eight’ on
either side, and two ropes through the two loops itself. If you are taking off rope or wire from a
reel, do not slide off loops on the side but unroll the reel. Sliding off line will build up a torque
that may set the buoy spinning and damage the sensors of the WR-SG and DWR-MkIII.
In practice, all these actions will be taken when the ship has already left the port. However, to
avoid problems at sea please inspect the mooring once before you actually deploy the buoy. If
this is your first buoy deployment, lay out the mooring on land at ease as an exercise, study it
and pack it into the blue containers again.
9 Buoy Deployment
Now that you have set up and checked the equipment on land, it’s time to deploy the buoy. A
safe and successful deployment requires the right equipment and a well-thought out procedure.
Bring a few ropes and a knife, they always come in handy. Also bring a used car-tire to support
the buoy while on deck. Still the buoy must be roped to the railing. If you have a Buoyfinder
you can use it to monitor the buoys outputs. Alternatively you can radio contact your receiving
station during deployment. The best time to do this is after the buoy is deployed on its location
and before the ship will return to port. To handle the weight of the sinker, either a ship with a
hoisting crane or U-frame or a ship with a removable railing should be chartered. For
comfortable deployment a day with small waves is best waited for.
The procedure below, see pictures, is suggested for a small vessel with a hoisting crane or
removable railing in the front. Users should adapt the procedure to size and outfit of their ship
and according to their own experience. Before the actual deployment lay out the mooring line
on deck and connect it to sinker and buoy using the shackles and split pins. Never stand inside
the loops of the mooring line or between the mooring line and the ship sides. Hoist the sinker on
the side of the ship and hang it overboard on a rope or push it towards the removable railing.
Release the sinker weight from the hoisting crane and leave it hanging overboard. Once you are
at the intended location steer the ship in reverse backing up slowly against the current. This
manoeuvre will keep the mooring line out of the screw propeller. Deploy the buoy by hoisting
or pushing it overboard. If you hoist the buoy use an extra piece of rope to keep the crane hook
at a distance from the antennas and sensors mounted. To release, cut the rope. Feed the mooring
Summary of Contents for Waverider DWR-G
Page 4: ...4...
