Fairlead
A fairlead guides a mooring or towing line through a change of direction without gripping or holding it, taking the chafe and bend so the line runs fair from winch drum to bollard or quay instead of rubbing against deck edges or bulwark plating.
What to check on a Fairlead.
13 models from Smith Berger in Fairlead. Below: the full model list.
What sets this type apart
A bollard or bitts hold a line under load once it is made fast; a fairlead does something different - it simply redirects a moving or loaded line through an angle, smoothing its path and taking the wear that would otherwise fall on the ship's structure or on the rope itself. The category covers several distinct shapes built for different jobs: open roller fairleads that let a line run freely across rotating rollers, closed Panama chocks (also called Panama leads) set into the bulwark for lines passing through locks and confined berths, and pedestal or universal fairleads mounted where a line needs to change direction significantly without excessive friction.
Legend
- quay
- bollard
- mooring line
- bulwark
- mounting flange
- fairlead body
- winch drum
Main components
Roller fairlead
One or more free-rotating rollers, horizontal or vertical axis depending on whether the line's direction changes sideways or up and down, mounted in a steel frame bolted or welded to deck.
Panama (closed) fairlead
A closed oval opening set into bulwark plating, sized to the standard required for transiting the Panama Canal, with no moving parts - the line simply bears against the smooth inner edge.
Read the full guide
Pedestal / universal fairlead
A raised fitting, sometimes with multiple rollers on different axes, used where lines approach from varied angles such as at a ship's quarter during mooring operations.
Selection and sizing
Fairleads are selected against the maximum breaking load (MBL) of the mooring line expected to pass through them, following the vessel's approved mooring arrangement plan rather than chosen independently - a fairlead undersized for the line it guides becomes the weak point in the mooring system even if the line and winch are correctly rated. Position on deck is fixed by mooring line geometry to the expected berths and terminals the ship will use, with roller versus closed type chosen partly by trade route (Panama-sized ships need the standard chocks regardless of other preferences).
Regulations and class
Mooring fittings including fairleads are assessed against class rules and the OCIMF Mooring Equipment Guidelines (MEG4) for the ship's size and mooring line loads, with a class-approved mooring arrangement plan showing fairlead positions, types and rated loads. Class periodically surveys mooring equipment condition as part of the ship's hull and fittings inspection.
Typical faults
| Fault | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Roller seized from corrosion or lack of lubrication | Line runs against a stationary roller surface, accelerating rope wear and increasing friction load on the winch |
| Sharp edges developed on a Panama chock from repeated line chafe | Damages mooring lines progressively, raising the risk of a parted line under load |
| Fairlead position mismatched to current mooring line lead angle after deck modifications | Line runs at an angle the fitting was not designed for, concentrating wear at one point |
| Cracked weld or loose foundation bolts not identified early | Reduced load capacity that can fail suddenly under snap-back mooring loads |
What to look for in a supplier
- Rated load matched to the vessel's approved mooring line MBL, documented against the mooring arrangement plan.
- Smooth, chafe-resistant surface finish, particularly on closed chocks where the line has no roller to reduce friction.
- Corrosion-resistant material or coating suited to continuous weather exposure on open deck.
- Foundation and mounting details compatible with the ship's existing deck structure without requiring extensive local reinforcement.
Inspect fairlead surfaces for developing sharp edges after every few months in heavy mooring service - a chock that looked fine at delivery can chafe a groove into itself well before any structural weakness shows up.
Models in this type.
The best-documented model of each manufacturer first, then the next — 13 of 13 models in Fairlead. Every row links to full specifications, documents and service notes.
Manufacturers.
All 13 manufacturers with models of Fairlead. Names with a manufacturer page open it; the others open a search across the full library.
All manufacturers in the libraryAlso in Deck Fittings & Hardware.
The other equipment types in this category.
Write to us about this model — the answer comes by e-mail.
Name the make and the model and what the job is: a spare, a service call, a second opinion on a data sheet. We answer by e-mail.
No details at hand? A photo of the rating plate or the part is enough — simply attach it to the request.
Questions that come up with this equipment.
Is Fairlead data free?
Yes. Every model page, every guide and every datasheet for this type is readable without an account. An account adds saved searches and requests, nothing is taken away.
My model is missing — what now?
Send us the nameplate. We identify it by hand, add it to the library, and if you need a part or a service, the request is already on our desk.
Can you source a Fairlead part?
Yes. Tell us the manufacturer, the model and what you need — a person reads every request and replies by e-mail.