The Recreational Navigation Commission of PIANC identified the need for a report to be prepared on the current practices relating to the provision of mooring systems for sport and recreational navigation. As a result Working Group 10 was set up and reported on the following items :
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existence of flexible, floating or fixed systems for seasonal moorings
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technical aspects with regard to maintainability and (dry) storage
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economical aspects taking into account investment, maintenance and life cycle costs
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feasibility and applicability of each system
Moorings for recreational craft on the inland waterways are a relatively new matter for consideration and one that is often overlooked. However, the success or popularity of inland waterways depends not only on the availability of intermediate facilities, but also how adaptable the navigation”s existing structures have been in meeting the requirements for short stay moorings.
The following were the main types of mooring families that were identified in the report as being used for seasonal moorings :
- anchorages
- buoyed moorings
- pile moorings
- pontoons
- drying berths
- other buoyed mooring systems
- jetties and fixed stagings
- opportunist moorings
- marina berths
- dry stacking
- stern to pier system
- alongside moorings
The use of these systems has been worked out in a table, showing the proper use of the systems identified. Another table shows the suitability of the moorings systems for a particular location, followed by guidelines for the selection of moorings and inspection and maintenance intervals. Finally, suggestions for innovative solutions are described.
Case histories to be found in the Appendix, originating from the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, Japan and Sweden and illustrated with many photos and figures, have been used to illustrate some of the many reasons for the establishment and development of mooring systems. These examples are naturally not the only ones that are available to study but they do illustrate some of the variety of ways that development has been achieved or evolved for various reasons.
The report will be very helpful for anyone who has to select a mooring system for recreational craft.
