How To Select Marine Rope?

Author: Bassam AL Bassam

Marine Ropes are subjected to hostile conditions involving friction, bending, tension and attack from corrosive sea environment. Even the rope hardware such as sheaves, rollers, knots, etc. has a damaging effect on it. In order to ensure that the rope delivers maximum on the parameters of safety and performance, one ought to be careful in selecting it. The following section provides some valuable guidelines on how to go about the job.

Marine Rope Selection

  • Strength: Breaking strength of any rope is an important criterion for the selection of a rope. Marine ropes are used for supporting and lifting heavy equipment on ship and thus choose the ones with maximum strength rating.
  • Elongation: The ropes that exhibit lower elongation under the impact of load provide better control over load. However, there is a risk with low elongation ropes; they may fail abruptly. So be careful in selecting; choose the ones with the combination of high strength and low elongation.
  • Shock Loading: When the load is lifted, swung, moved or stopped there is an increased force acting on the whole system. This is shock loading and Marine Ropes must be selected keeping this force in mind. Rope that has been subjected to shock loading may fail abruptly at any time in subsequent applications.
  • Firmness: Round Marine Ropes that can retain their shape during the course of application are good. In other words, the ropes that are firm are ideal for majority of applications. The problem with soft ropes is that they snag easily and are susceptible to abrasion.
  • Construction & Abrasion: The construction of rope is also very important factor to figure in. Braided ropes distribute the wear over a larger area thus ensuring longer functional life.
  • Working Loads: The normal load that the Marine Rope has to withstand may vary in different applications. The maximum working load should not be more than one-fifth of the breaking strength so as to ensure complete safety and no damage to the rope.

For strong and durable Marine Ropes, you can contact GULF INTERNATIONAL MARINE SERVICES CO. LTD. (GIMSCO). The company is a prominent Ship Chandler Company in Dubai. It operates at all the major ports and anchorages of the United Arab Emirates and offers Ship Spare Parts, Offshore Supply Services, technical assistance, Logistics & Distribution Support and much more. For more details about the company and its offerings, you can log on to http://www.gimsco.net/.