System Components

The terminal equipment comprises Load Cells, Remote Telemetry Unit, Outer Enclosure and Power Supply.

The load cell which produces an electrical signal proportional to the load applied usually takes the form of a shear pin, custom designed to replace an existing shackle or pivot pin in the hawser to buoy linkage.

The Remote Telemetry Unit (RTU), is an intelligent telemetry outstation capable of both transmitting data from sensors on the buoy and receiving an executing commands received from the base station. The RTU transmits on a single radio channel in either VHF, UHF, or GHz bands via an omni-directional antenna mounted on an elevated part of the structure. Specially designed for very low power consumption the RTU is also certified for operation in hazardous areas.

The power supply may be generated from either solar power or a combination of solar and wind generation. Marine specified rechargeable batteries provide continuous 24 hour power.

For large systems, a watertight steel enclosure with double sealed doors provides separate RTU and battery compartments A High specification epoxy based marine paint system is applied and all fittings are marine grade stainless steel.

The Base Station computer controls one or more terminals. It receives and decodes data from the RTUs and provides:

An important feature is that the predicted remaining strength of each hawser is updated as the hawser degrades due to loading strain. This uses OCIMF experimental data.

A Portable Unit is available for the mooring master to take on board the tanker. Its digital display can show mooring load as well as wind and sea state-data. Audible and visual alarms are included.