SIX-MONTH INSPECTION

Mooring lines

The anchors and the bottom ballast chains are unlikely to become damaged once. they are installed correctly. Their size and thickness make them very robust, and they are located at a depth that is usually more than 20-30 m. At these depths, the wave motion does not act directly on the components the way it does on components in more shallow waters.

In fact, the forces are distributed throughout the grid of mooring lines, chains and buoys, which can act as shock absorbers. Inspections can be difficult because of the depth, and deep diving can expose the divers to additional dangers, and the bottom time will be restricted. For these reasons, visual inspections can be conducted every six months, and also after intense weather and wave events. With these inspections, it is important to verify that:
The anchor is upright and properly embedded in the sea bed. An anchor that has been dragged along the sea bed because it is undersized or upturned leaves a furrow behind that is easily recognizable for a diver.
The shackle is not worn out or loose and the split pin is present.
The bottom anchor chain is laid out straight and the links are not worn out.
The shackle connecting the bottom anchor chain to the thimble is not worn out
or loose, and the split pin is present.

The rope connecting the chain to the plate (or ring) does not show any abrasion and is not excessively colonized by biofouling organisms.

Marker buoys

Inspection of the marker buoys should verify that:
The concrete block has not been dragged.
The pad eye of the concrete block and the connected shackle function properly and are not worn out.
The chain is not worn out and/or excessively colonized by biofouling organisms. The shackle and the iron plate in the lower submerged part of the buoy are not worn out and work properly.
The submerged part of the buoy is not excessively colonized by biofouling organisms.