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Eisenhower Lock near Massena soon to be using 'hands-free mooring' of ships in the lock with fewer workers

Posted 9/24/18

MASSENA -- Eisenhower Lock will soon begin use of the hands-free mooring (HFM) equipment as part of the standard lockage process, according to the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. The new …

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Eisenhower Lock near Massena soon to be using 'hands-free mooring' of ships in the lock with fewer workers

Posted

MASSENA -- Eisenhower Lock will soon begin use of the hands-free mooring (HFM) equipment as part of the standard lockage process, according to the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.

The new method will require fewer workers for mooring at Eisenhower Lock near Massena.

As ships transit the Seaway, they are raised and lowered through a series of locks, during which they must be held in place while in the locks.

In the initial phase of HFM use at Eisenhower Lock, vessels will continue to deploy all required mooring lines. Mooring lines and HFM units will be used together throughout the lockage.

It is important in early stages of deployment for masters and pilots to ensure lines are kept slacked so as not to interfere with the effectiveness or cause damage to the HFM units.

The number of required mooring lines will be reduced as the confidence in the HFM system increases among St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation staff at the lock and among the mariners

If for any reason the HFM system will not be used, SLSDC staff will revert to using traditional tie-up procedures, the press release said.

Vessels will be advised on the use of the HFM units and the number of required mooring lines at Eisenhower Lock once downbound vessels approach Eisenhower and prior to departure from Snell Lock for upbound vessels

A 2015 news release from Green Marine described the hands-free units:

"Once a ship enters and stops within a lock chamber, each HFM unit extends from the lock wall to vertically position and attach its double-pads to a smooth area on a hull’s surface. Once attached, vacuum suction is used to create a grip that enables the HFM units to keep a vessel secure. The HFM units adjust to the rising or falling water level within the lock by gliding up or down on track rails that are recessed within the lock’s concrete wall. After the vessel has been raised or lowered, the vacuum suction is released, the pads retract, and the vessel is soon on its way.

“The units eliminate the need for manually attaching wires or ropes to secure a vessel, which is a more labour- and time-intensive process that can pose safety risks if a wire or rope snaps or tangles.”