Types of mooring systems

Abstract The concepts of temporary and permanent moorings are first introduced together with various mooring leg configurations. It then reviews different types of mooring systems, namely the spread mooring system that restraints the floater position as well as its heading, and the single-point mooring (SPM) which allows the floater to weathervane into the prevailing environment direction. SPMs can be further classified into internal turret mooring, external turret mooring, and disconnectable turret mooring (e.g., RTM, BTM, STL, and STP). The main components of SPMs are described. Other types of mooring systems such as tower yoke mooring and catenary anchor leg mooring are also briefly introduced.