In oil and gas terminals the use of quick release hooks for mooring vessels during cargo handling is recommended by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), as they form the basis of a safe mooring system.

Strainstall AMTS quick release mooring hooks are based on the well-known and respected Stevens design, which have been manufactured for over 30 years, and today are one of the worlds leading mooring and towing systems. They have been upgraded in material selection and manufacture to provide safe and reliable operation in the environments encountered on jetties, and have been designed to provide ease of installation, maintenance and fitting of mooring load monitoring components. All operating mechanisms are installed within the side plates, which provides as much mechanical protection as possible to the release components (mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic), but which are easily accessible for maintenance purposes.

Other hooks on the market differ in that they offer release activation devices mounted on top of the hook, on the side of the hook, or at the back of the mooring units with a steel wire connection to the release mechanism. All these types of systems carry a high risk of mechanical damage from the mooring lines or horizontal and vertical swivelling of the mooring hooks. Another advantage of Strainstall AMTS quick release mooring hooks is the simplicity of release in both manual and remote operation. The release force is less than 20kgs (50lbs) and the units have a wide range of movement in both horizontal and vertical directions. The hooks can be fitted with sensors to provide the status of the hook, i.e. open or closed, pressure indication in either hydraulic or pneumatic release systems, and oil level in hydraulic systems.

Strainstall AMTS quick release hooks can be free standing or buoy mounted and are supplied as standard or pelican hook. Optionally, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic remote release systems are available. The normal configuration for petrochemical installations involve multiple hooks on a common base, generally 2, 3 or 4, with an integrated capstan to assist heaving in the mooring lines from the vessel. Safe working loads vary from 30 tonnes to 200 tonnes, and each hook is proof tested to 150% of its rated load. The release mechanism is tested at full load rating at Strainstall’s own test facility and is witnessed by a surveyor from an independent classification society. They are supplied with complete material certification and traceability. Local displays of the mooring load tensions and audible and visual alarms can also be incorporated into the hooks.