Mooring drums may be either split or undivided. For either type of drum, the diameter should be 16 times the wire rope diameter.
- Non-split type mooring drum – An undivided mooring drum.
- Split type mooring drum, split drum – A common drum divided by a notched flange into a wire storage section and a tension section. It is operated with only one layer of wire on the tension section and theoretically can maintain a constant, high brake holding power.