MoorGuard™ OpenWater™ Fuse
CONTINUOUS PROTECTION
OpenWater fuse is easily positioned between the mooring line and the shore connection. It continuously protects against dangerous overload and maintains a safe and secure connection in all weather conditions. Each fuse can prevent hundreds of overloads before retirement.
ELIMINATES SNAPBACK AT THE SOURCE
Eliminating excess tension prevents parting and snapback.
MoorGuard™ is the only product in the world that eliminates the risk – at the source.
Other solutions require expensive workplace changes or they attempt to mitigate damage after a line parts.
HOW IT WORKS
OpenWater Fuse can be added to any mooring system. When line tension exceeds the safety limit the fuse elongates keeping tension at a safe level.
Fully elongated fuses can be instantly replaced for continuous protection.
BENEFITS & COST
Eliminates snapback risk at the source.
Secure – gets stronger under extreme conditions.
Simple – no change in mooring practices required.
Can be used on any mooring point.
Energy absorbing MoorGuard rope.
Full length, coated jacket.
High wear DeckArmor™ chafing protection.
Reduces strains, sprains and pinches.
Training takes minutes.
Costs pennies per day.
SPECIFICATIONS
MEL – Minimum Elongation Load. The load at which the fuse elongates. The MEL is matched to the mainline Safe Working Load (SWL). An MEL equaling 20% of the Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS) provides maximum safety. An MEL of 25% to 27.5% of MBS is ideal for more challenging mooring conditions. The MEL should never exceed 30% of MBS.
MEL and Maximum Strength are measured in Metric Tonnes.
TECHNICAL
OpenWater Fuse uses a proprietary stretch fiber. Each fuse follows the same load vs elongation profile. Total elongation is 150%. The usable elongation is half of total elongation.
OpenWater fuses are manufactured in accordance with ABS Product Design Assessment No. 21-2101360-PDA. Fuses are unit certified and are accompanied by certificate.
USE GUIDELINES
Mooring line manufacturers recommend a SWL of 20% of MBS – a 5:1 safety factor. Mariners routinely load lines to 50% or more – only a 2:1 safety factor – increasing risk. To protect shore personnel an MEL of 20% to 30% is recommended.
In service globally for over ten years, OpenWater fuse has a perfect safety record. Based on this success MoorGuard recommends an MEL of 20% for maximum protection. For more challenging moorings an MEL of 25% to 27.5% is proven to be ideal. No mooring environment requires an MEL above 30% and a fuse above this is not recommended.
Each OpenWater fuse can be used on a range of line sizes simplifying port procedures.