×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Looking for description of ferrys unloading

Looking for description of ferrys unloading

Looking for description of ferrys unloading

(OP)
Hi,

I am trying to find a description of how ferrys can stabilize their docking or unloading while pushing against the dock (or whatever tstructure they are trying to dock against).

I know it's common practise for captains of ferrys and other vessels frequently loading and unloading to simply push against the dock instead of tying off, but I really need a description of it. Does anyone know of a manual, book, or webpage where this practise is described it would be of great help!

Thank you!
/John

RE: Looking for description of ferrys unloading

I've seen water taxis do it for passenger discharge.

I've never seen a vehicle ferry do it, except to put some preload in the hawsers before cinching them up and dropping the ramp.

I'm not saying it's never done, but given the separating force that is potentially generated by a vehicle on a slanted ramp, I'd have to classify the practice as dangerous, and I'd guess it must be illegal somewhere.

It's a bad idea from another standpoint; churning the (shallow) water near a ferry dock could put all sorts of stuff into the engine's cooling system, which generally doesn't do it any good.

 

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: Looking for description of ferrys unloading

Here in Washington State we have a pretty good tidal range and the ferries move into a specially designed slip for proper alignment against tidal currants. The ramp is aligned in 2 stages. controllable. First there a long ramp from shore to the staging float then a short ramp raised and lower by a electric winch operated by the deck hands. The deck hands also tie up to the float but there is a famous accident about 20 years ago where in the process of load the controllable pitch propeller reversed and dumped a car in the water. The occupants were promptly rescued.. At low tide it can be a steep climb up the ramp to shore.  

RE: Looking for description of ferrys unloading

There is a roll-on/roll-off ferry that runs in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that regularly does this, in fact I have never seen it tie up unless they are on a break!

Ferry capacity is about 30 cars or maybe a couple of semi trucks and a few cars. The ferry dock is L-shaped and has an adjustable ramp on the shore side. When the ferry gets to the dock the bow is pushed against the loading dock and also against tires that are on the pier that runs alonside it so it is contacting the front and side of the ferry. They then lower the front ramp to the appropriate level and also adjust the shore side ramp, the ramps are also adjusted occasionally if the load shift is large in the middle of loading/offloading. This happens a lot when there are semis on board. Engine noise is minimal so I assume the ferry is in gear with props barely turning.

If you need more info I know one of the captains that drives it.  In fact I will be on it again in a few weeks so could ask or find out for you.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources