Task 1: Synthetic Fibre Ropes

1.Polypropylene
(Characteristics,Advantages,Disadvantages)

Is the most popular of the man-made fibres at sea.

Is reasonably economical very cheap.

Has same strength even if its wet or dry.

Is used for mooring ropes.
Is permanently damaged and weakened from exposure to heat and
UV radiation such as that present in sunlight.
Affects acids,alkalis and oils.
A by-product from polypropylene called fibrefilm, is a very cheap
version of the fibre and it is very common used on board ships.
Is lightweight and easier to handle in thicker diameters.
Is not the strongest rope around; its not recommended for safety
ropes which might be exposed to very high stresses.
Is stiff and slippery and is notorious for coming undone because it
slips out of knots and cleats.
It is highly flexibile and has minimum stretch.
It has the lowest melting temperature from all synthetic fibre ropes
( 150 F).

Fig.1: Polypropylene Ropes

2.Polythene (Characteristics,Advantages,Disadvantages)

It absorbs only 0.01 % water.

Its used on mooring tails and mooring ropes.
It doesnt float and in cold climates they tend to stiffen up and

become difficult to handle.

They are not that economic in comparation with polypropylene.
Due to its materials, it has a good resistance to UV radiation and
sunlight.
Is very close to nylon in strength when a steady force is applied.
It stretches very little and cant absorb shock loard as well.
It is also as equally resistant to moisture and chemicals as nylon,
but is superior in resistance to abrasion and sunlight.

Fig.2: Polythene Ropes

3.Nylone (Characteristics,Advantages,Disadvantages)

Is the strongest of all the man-made fibre ropes.

It has a very excellent elasticity and a good schock absorber; this

makes it a good choice for live loards, including towing and

anchoring.
It does not float.
It is transparent to infrared light.
It has a good resistance against UV radiations, oil and organic
solvents.
It does not burn when it break down in fire it forms hazardous
smoke, or ash.
It is sensitive to high temperatures and will degrade releasing toxic
materials including cyanide.
Because it absorbs water it is liable to stain; this is not necessarily
harmful but can be unsightly.
It resists rot and mildew but can stain particularly in water soluble
stains.
It looses strength when its wet.
If it is repeatedly cycled at high percentage of its breaking
strength, it generates a large amount of internat heat,which
degrades the performance of it and can cause failure at high loads,
such as anchor rodes during a hurricane.

Fig.3: Nylon Ropes

Task 2

In the fig4, we deal with a Direct Pipeline System.

Direct Pipeline is the simplest type of pipeline system that uses a

few valves than the other types.
Its main role is that it takes oil directly from the tank to the pump
and it reduces friction. This has an affect of increasing the rate of
discharge.
It is easy to operate and less crew is required.
The role of the few valves is that it takes less time to set it the
valve system before commencing a cargo operation.
Also, it is a very inflexible system, which makes it very difficult to
plan for a multiportdischarge.
Block stowage has to be used which makes it difficult to control the
trim operation.
Washing in the direct pipeline system is pretty difficult because
there is no circular system and the washings must be flushed
into the tanks.
5

 In my point of view, the Direct Pipeline System is the most efficient

system, when we speak about discharging and loading the tanks
with the cargo. I think that because it takes less time and it doesnt
cost to much to maintain it.