Fender (shipping)
A fender is a protective body that is intended to prevent damage to the outer skin of a ship during port maneuvers as well as when lying on the quay wall or in a package (ship to ship).
The fender is positioned between the ship and the quay wall or landing stage or between two ships in such a way that it serves as a shock absorber on the one hand and as a spacer on the other so that the ship's hull does not rub. For example, old car tires, braided cordage or wooden beams are used as fenders for large ships. The latter are primarily used in inland shipping and are thoroughly watered before each use in order to avoid a noisy "creak" when the ship is moving and so that the wood remains elastic. Dried out rubbing wood splinters easily under strong pressure.
There are also extremely large versions of these fenders, the size of a small submarine, which then provide space between a supertanker and a smaller lighter tanker (sometimes with its own propulsion system) if the supertanker does not land directly on land due to its draft can and must be cleared at roadstead .
Use on yachts
On motor or sailing yachts , spherical or barrel-shaped plastic bodies filled with compressed air are usually used. When positioned sideways, the fenders are attached to the railing of sailing yachts . As a fastening knot , the round turn with two half strokes or the attached loom on slip are usually used. On yachts, it is considered impudent to let fenders hang outboard while sailing.
The fender board expands the application possibilities of fenders, for example when laying on posts.
Ball fender for yachts
fender
Roller or long fenders on the stern of a sports boat
Sketch, fender board, top view
Grater
Fenders with traditionally braided cordage
Fender as part of the quay
For larger ships, independently established fenders, which are part of the quay systems, are used. For this purpose, panels covered with wood (to protect the ship's surface) are mounted on tubular piles. For example, oil tankers do not moor directly on a quay on a tank discharge bridge like in Wilhelmshaven, but on a pair of large fenders that protrude from the water a short distance in front of the quay. They are designed to be elastic (and this is what distinguishes them from dolphins ) so that they can, to a certain extent, also follow the ship's movements when mooring and when there are waves.
Fender at the tanker discharge bridge Wilhelmshaven
Two Yokohama fenders on a quay wall
