An automatic mooring device developed in New Zealand by Mooring International for the rail/vehicle ferry ARATERE.
Two such devices are fitted on the port side of the ferry fore and aft. Each of them consists of a hydraulically-operated, extendible arm, at the end of which there are two vacuum pads in the form of steel rectangles (1.2m x 1m) surrounded by rubber vacuum holding frames. Operated from the ship bridge, with the aid of television cameras which give a clear view along the ship sides and astern, the units are guided towards steel plates fixed to the quayside. On the contact, a vacuum is created in each suction pad which holds the vessel in place. The units are fitted approximately 2m above the waterline and are designed to resist a pull of 12.5t each.