Sam Son Ropes

Commercial Marine
Samson Commercial Marine MOORING | TUG | OFFSHORE |
Providing high performance synthetic solutions for mooring, tug, offshore, inland river,
The Samson Advantage:

Where technology and people
make the difference
TECHNOLOGY
Samson pushes the forefront of fiber, coating and rope construction
technologies to bring unmatched innovations to market.
> Most advanced Research & Development team in the industry
> Accurate, reliable product specifications based on rigorous testing and measuring
> Certifications with DNV, ABS, NK, Lloyd’s and others available
> Extensive library of technical resources, case studies and white papers
PRODUCTS
Samson works closely with customers so they always receive products that
are specifically designed to meet the demands of their application.
> High performance – lightweight synthetic ropes replace wire rope, chain,
or other commodity synthetics
> Cost-effective – products improve efficiency, reduce the cost of operations,
and provide long-term value
> Safer – easier to handle, lighter products mean safer working conditions
SERVICE
Samson offers world class service and support wherever you need it. Before
you place your order until long after the rope is deployed, Samson sales and
engineering staff are on your job site or vessel to provide technical support
and customized solutions.
> Technical consultation to ensure we supply the product that best suits your needs.
> Onboard inspections, vessel surveys, and residual strength testing — that means
you get maximum service life from your rope
> On-site training in usage, inspection, handling, and retirement criteria
> Comprehensive technical support materials: owner’s manuals, technical bulletins,
inspection and repair instructions, retirement criteria, splicing instructions, and
much more at www.samsonrope.com
MANUFACTURING
Both of Samson’s state-of-the-art facilities operate the most modern
equipment available and are strategically located near major shipping ports.
> Plants are ISO certified and utilize LEAN manufacturing principles
> Lafayette, LA facility is easily accessible to the Gulf of Mexico and the offshore
engineering community
> Ferndale, WA facility is easily accessible to all ports off the Pacific,
from Alaska to Asia to Australia
EXPERIENCE
Samson’s history dates back over 125 years; developing safe, easy handling
and reliable synthetic rope solutions. We have more experience designing
and developing strength members using Dyneema® than any other
manufacturer in the world. Known for excellence and quality, we have
the experience, integrity, and reliability you can count on.
INLAND RIVER | COMMERCIAL FISHING
commercial fishing and other demanding marine applications

CM
COMMERCIAL
MARINE
Replace wire with synthetic alternatives that save

time and operational costs while increasing levels
of handling crew safety and efficiency
Traditionally marine engineering has looked to wire rope for many applications.
Unfortunately, these extremely heavy strength members limit effective usage
and greatly reduce safety due to significant handling problems.
Samson high performance
Over the last thirty years, Samson has led the development of high modulus
synthetics have synthetic fiber ropes designed to replace wire in critical marine applications. In
proven reliability while fact, Samson AmSteel®-Blue 12-strand braided Dyneema® mooring lines were
first to market in the early 1980s. Samson high performance synthetics have
significantly reducing proven reliability while significantly reducing the cost of operations in towing,
the cost of operations mooring, and offshore operations.
in towing, mooring, and Cost savings are realized in numerous areas; reduction in crew requirements,
increase in safety for both crew and equipment, and reduction in maintenance
offshore operations.
costs due to relubing and end-for-ending. Best of all, Samson synthetics
significantly outlasts wire in most applications. For some applications, like
deepwater exploration and production in the offshore industry, they are an
enabling technology that makes working at extreme depths a reality.
Samson: Where technology and people make the difference

But the biggest single factor in successfully exploiting these new technologies
is our people. From R&D to the manufacturing floor, from the offices to the
shipping docks, it is the people of Samson that make the real difference.
Real world solutions for real world problems…

Samson sales and application engineers are the link that allows our customers
to be certain they are getting the best. Experienced, knowledgeable application
engineers work directly with our customers to specify existing products
From R&D to the that meet the challenge, or to determine specifications for new products
and configurations that can be produced to provide the level of service the
manufacturing floor, application demands.
from the offices to the
Sales and application engineers are involved before the sale and after delivery,
shipping docks, it is the ensuring maximum service life for our products. They assist with installations
and train crews on maintenance, splicing and inspection. Periodic onboard
people of Samson that
inspections provide valuable information on use, residual strengths, and
make the real difference. continuously updates retirement criteria. The Samson team is in the field to
ensure our customers that they are using the safest, most reliable products in
the cordage industry.
It’s this commitment to providing the best products and service

possible that we call The Samson Advantage.
www.samsonrope.com 3
Samson Research & Development SAMSON ROPES ARE
Samson’s has more experience designing and developing strength members
Samson has dedicated more

resources than any other cordage
manufacturer to the continued
development of high performance
synthetic rope products.
4
BUILT TO MEET REAL WORLD CHALLENGES CM
COMMERCIAL
ABOUT THIS CATALOG:

MARINE
with Dyneema® than any other cordage manufacturer in the world Classification of Rope
Products by Class I and Class II
We have divided our product offering into two
classes of ropes. Class II ropes are produced
from high performance synthetic fibers that are
A tradition of strength, a legacy of innovation designed as potential replacements for wire rope
applications. Class I ropes are constructed of
Using the highest Since its inception in 1878, Samson has been committed to traditional synthetic fibers that are not designed as
technological leadership in the design and manufacturing of alternative products for wire rope replacement.
performance synthetic innovative cordage products. Using the highest performance A detailed description of Class II and Class I ropes
synthetic fibers in unique constructions, Samson engineers have is located in the Glossary of Terms on pages
fibers in unique 61–62. The designation of Class II and Class I
constantly reinvented cordage technology. We continue to expand
constructions, Samson our technology, working closely with industry to identify new
ropes to a specific product should also be used
in selecting the appropriate Samson splice and
engineers have applications and with suppliers to explore new fibers and materials. testing procedure for that product.
constantly reinvented Samson then develops specialized constructions and coatings
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
to maximize effectiveness, increase service life, and make the
cordage technology. workplace safer and more efficient. Application Highlights / Comparative Data
> Research & Development ......................4–5
> Mooring Lines....................................... 6 –9
Samson R&D: The link between technology and practical application > Chafe Gear ........................................10–11
The key to all these developments is Samson’s continuous > Tug Applications ................................12–13
commitment to research and development. Today, Samson’s R&D > Quantum-8 Case Study...................... 14–15
organization is the most advanced and best equipped in the industry. > Tug Assist/Maneuvering ..................... 16–17
Headed by Dr. Rafael Chou, the R&D team is comprised of chemical > Offshore Applications ......................... 18–19
and mechanical engineers, polymer scientists, nanotechnologists, > Inland River Applications.......................... 20
material science specialists, chemists, rope designers and industrial > Commercial Fishing Applications ............. 21
engineers. They are all backed up with testing, quality control and HIGH PERFORMANCE ROPES (CLASS II)
splicing specialists. They are equipped with the latest technology, > AmSteel®-Blue [872] ................................ 22
including the most advanced synthetic rope tensile tester in the > Neutron®-8 [867]...................................... 23
world, capable of testing break strengths up to 1.1 million pounds. > Force-8 [871] .......................................... 24
> Proton®-8 [830] ........................................ 25
The results speak for themselves… > Quantum-8 [863]..................................... 26
> Quantum-12 [873]................................... 27
All this technology results in the development of products that make
> Turbo-75 [864] ........................................ 28
real differences onboard. Recent new product introductions include > DPX®-75 [865] ......................................... 29
patented products like reduced recoil ropes and high strength > Turbo-EPX [886] ...................................... 30
marine ropes using DPX® fiber technology. Reduced recoil ropes are > Validator-12 [446] ................................... 31
designed to fail in stages, dissipating the energy of the parting line > Tech-12 [890].......................................... 31
and reducing the dangerous snap back of the parted ends, making > TrawlSteel-Blue [879] .............................. 32
work sites safer. Samson's patented use of DPX® fiber gives our > Mooring Defender [859]........................... 33
high performance ropes better grip on deck hardware like capstans STANDARD PERFORMANCE ROPES (CLASS I)
and H-bitts. That means, among other applications, tug operators ROUND PLAIT:
using H-bitts can now take full advantage of the easy handling, > RP-12 SSR-1200 [416] ............................ 35
lightweight, ultra high strength tug lines made with Dyneema®. > RP-12 Polyester [402].............................. 36
> RP-12 Ultra Blue [333]............................. 37
www.samsonrope.com – The 24/7 link between Samson and you… DOUBLE BRAID:
All our technical papers, full product descriptions and specifications, > Stable Braid [506/806] ............................ 38
splicing, handling and inspection information is available for > Super Strong [472] .................................. 39
perusing and downloading at www.samsonrope.com. 8-STRAND:
> SSR-1200-8 [263] ................................... 40
After all, it’s all part of The Samson Advantage. > Ultra Blue-8 [252] .................................... 41
> Pro-Set-8 [256] ....................................... 42
> Premium Polyester-8 [258] ...................... 43
3-STRAND:
> SSR-1200-3 [220] ................................... 40
> Ultra Blue-3 [130] .................................... 41
> Pro-Set-3 [170] ....................................... 42
> SSR-301R [226] ...................................... 43
ACCESSORIES / TECHNICAL SUPPORT
> Samthane Coatings ................................. 44
> Splicing Tools & Instructions .................... 45
> Rope Hardware................................. 46– 47
> Fiber Characteristics & Rope Constructions ....48
> Elongation Components & Definitions ...... 49
> Testing Methods ...................................... 50
> Rope Handling ......................................... 51
> Bending Radius & Winch Data ................. 52
> Winch & Sheave Data .............................. 53
> Standards for Strength & Determination.... 54
> Residual Strength .................................... 55
> Rope Inspection & Retirement ........... 56– 60
> Glossary of Terms ...............61–62
> Samson Rope Website ..............63
Mooring Applications HIGH PERFORMANCE MOORING LINES
Samson high performance synthetic mooring lines are the proven alternative to wire rope
REPLACING WIRE ROPE WITH SAMSON HIGH

PERFORMANCE, LIGHTWEIGHT SYNTHETICS
ADDS UP TO SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS IN TIME
AND MONEY
> Size for size replacement of wire rope
> As strong, or stronger than the wire it replaces
> 1/7th the weight of wire
> 60% fewer crew required per mooring station
> Reduces weight-related injuries
> Lasts at least 3 times longer than wire
> Less wear and tear on deck hardware
> Reduced maintenance, no relubing
> Simple end-for-ending, no additional
equipment required
> Simplifies splicing for most constructions
PLUS, YOU GET THE SAMSON ADVANTAGE –

OUR CUSTOMERS CALL IT PEACE OF MIND
> On-site sales and engineering staff to:
• Design custom engineered solutions
• Perform onboard inspections
• Recommend hardware options
• Provide training in splicing, inspection
and setting retirement guidelines
> Complete customized rope manuals and
technical documents
6
APSMOORING
APPLICATIONS
Class II
®
AmSteel -Blue | PAGE 22
Quantum-8 | PAGE 26
Quantum-12 | PAGE 27
Turbo-75 | PAGE 28
DPX®-75 | PAGE 29
Lightweight, ultra-strong mooring lines

reduce operating costs, save time in mooring
Turbo-EPX | PAGE 30
operations, and improve safety
When compared to wire rope, Samson Each is engineered to provide the highest
mooring lines made with Dyneema® are, strength, longest service life and safest
size for size, just as strong or stronger. The handling by the company with the most Mooring Defender | PAGE 33
comparison ends there. Weighing in at less experience with high performance fibers
than 1/7th the weight of wire, Samson ropes in the cordage industry.
reduce crew requirements for each mooring
station and have been proven to reduce the While technology and engineering
time required for mooring operations by 2/3. are critical, it’s our service that really Class I
Lower incidents of work-related back injuries makes a difference Premium Polyester-8 | PAGE 43
have been documented. With no fishhooks Samson doesn’t stop at merely creating
from broken strands, and dramatically RP-12 Polyester | PAGE 36
a better product; we pride ourselves
reduced recoil, crew safety is further on providing the best service in the RP-12 Ultra Blue | PAGE 37
enhanced. Add in a longer service life of business – both before and after
4 to 10 years with greatly reduced SSR-1200-8 | PAGE 40
the sale. Our sales and application
maintenance, and any comparison to engineers come onboard to assess Stable Braid | PAGE 38
wire is pretty much eliminated. All this your situation and handling equipment,
Super Strong | PAGE 39
has been proven in actual field trials over make recommendations on appropriate
the past 10 years. products, and assist with installation to Ultra-Blue-8 | PAGE 41
ensure your mooring lines will perform as Pro-Set-8 | PAGE 42
Jacketed, non-jacketed, 12-strand or 8; expected. We follow up with full training
there’s a Samson high performance line in maintenance, splicing, and inspection
engineered for every mooring application for your crew. In addition, we develop
and any equipment configuration… an ongoing program of testing and Chafe Protection
Samson has designed a full range of inspections to determine a customized High Performance Chafe Solutions
mooring lines with the option of either retirement schedule to make certain your PAGES 10 –11
jacketed or non-jacketed configurations; mooring lines are always safe and well
from AmSteel®-Blue, a 12-strand single braid maintained. It is this level of service that
made with 100% Dyneema®, the strongest is at the heart of The Samson Advantage.
mooring line available, to Turbo-EPX, a
Dyneema® core/polyester cover construction
for enhanced abrasion and heat resistance
and great handling on mooring winches.
Mooring Applications COMPARATIVE DATA
AmSteel®-Blue Force-8 Turbo-75 Wire Rope Wire Rope

Primary Mooring 6 x 36 W.S.IRWC
IPS-Grade B
6 x 36 W.S.IRWC
EIPS-Grade C
Line Comparison
Size 28mm [1-1/8 in.] 32mm [1-5/16 in.] 30mm [1-1/4 in.] 28mm [1-1/8 in.] 28mm [1-1/8 in.]
Samson SRT* MBS 60.4 MT 64.7 MT 61.2 MT 55.2 MT 59.0 MT
vs. wire by Kg/100 M 47.5 Kg 56.4 Kg 57.3 Kg 345.0 Kg 345.0 Kg
size, strength
and weight SRT* MBS 93.0 MT 96.7 MT 102.0 MT 91.2 MT 97.6 MT
Kg/100 M 76.9 Kg 87.0 Kg 99.7 Kg 570.0 Kg 570.0 Kg
SRT* MBS 116.0 MT 115.0 MT 125.0 MT 113.0 MT 121.0 MT
Kg/100 M 97.0 Kg 105.0 Kg 120.0 Kg 704.0 Kg 704.0 Kg
Size 44mm [1-3/4 in.] 48mm [2 in.] 48mm [2 in.] 44mm [1-3/4 in.] 44mm [1-3/4 in.]
SRT* MBS 137.0 MT 134.0 MT 149.0 MT 136.0 MT 146.0 MT
Kg/100 M 117.0 Kg 124.0 Kg 138.0 Kg 851.0 Kg 851.0 Kg
Primary Mooring Line * Spliced strength
Strength Comparison
STRENGTHS SHOWN IN METRIC TONNES
®
SIZE DIAMETER AmSteel®-Blue Force-8 DPX®-75 Proton-8
INCHES MILLIMETERS SRT MBS* ISO/BS EN919 SRT MBS* ISO/BS EN919 SRT MBS* ISO/BS EN919 SRT MBS* ISO/BS EN919
1-1/8 in. 28mm 60.4 MT 67.1 MT 50.9 MT 56.6 MT 51.1 MT 56.7 MT 31.3 MT 34.7 MT
* Spliced strength
Secondary Quantum-12
®
Proton-8 RP-12 SSR-1200
Mooring Line
Strength
Comparison
STRENGTHS SHOWN IN METRIC TONNES
SIZE DIAMETER
INCHES MILLIMETERS SRT MBS* ISO/BS EN919 SRT MBS* ISO/BS EN919 SRT MBS* ISO/BS EN919
1-5/8 in. 40mm 98.0 MT 109.0 MT 63.5 MT 70.6 MT 29.4 MT 32.7 MT
2 in. 48mm 137.0 MT 152.0 MT 108.0 MT 120.0 MT 41.6 MT 46.3 MT
3 in. 72mm 316.0 MT 352.0 MT 246.0 MT 273.0 MT 89.8 MT 99.8 MT
* Spliced strength
8 www.samsonrope.com
APS MOORING
COMPARATIVE DATA
Mooring Master P-7

P-7 Mooring Pendants Product Code: 709
Samson suggests the use of braided Mooring Master P-7 (100% polyester) for
primary mooring line pendants. The efficient design of P-7 pendants allows
significant size and weight advantages over conventional 8-braid pendants;
higher strengths can allow “down-sizing.” P-7 mooring pendants meet the
recommendations of OCIMF.
P-7 mooring pendants provide the energy absorption to minimize ship excursion in a mooring system, while
holding up to the abuse of being dragged on piers and working on rough mooring hooks, cleats and bollards.
P-7 has braided polyester strength members covered by a heavy-duty polyester jacket. The core provides the
superior flex-fatigue resistance for maximum service life, while the polyester jacket provides the protection
necessary in rough working environments. P-7 pendants are available in single leg and strop configurations
and can be connected to the primary mooring line by cow-hitching the soft eyes or with a mandel shackle.
P-7 Single Leg Pendants

Standard length is 11m (over all length), with a 2m soft eye one end and a 1m
soft eye the other end. The vertex and splice area are urethane coated for added
wear protection.
P-7 Strop Pendants

Standard length is 11m (over all length), with 2m and 1m soft eyes formed by way
of lashings. The body of the strop is lashed together 3m in from each eye lashing.
Mooring Master P-7 Strength and Weight Information

Size Weight Weight SRT Average SRT Minimum SRT Average SRT Minimum SRT ISO/BS EN919 GROMMET Note: Grommet
Diameter Per 100 Ft. Per 100m Strength Strength Strength Strength MBS* MBS ISO Minimum
INCHES MILLIMETERS POUNDS KILOGRAMS POUNDS POUNDS KILOGRAMS KILOGRAMS METRIC TONNES METRIC TONNES METRIC TONNES
ISO strength column
information for P-7
1-1/2 in. 36mm 73.6 lbs. 110.0 Kg 101,000 lbs. 90,900 lbs. 45,800 Kg 41,200 Kg 41.2 MT 45.8 MT 73.3 MT
Strops only.
2 in. 48mm 127.0 lbs. 189.0 Kg 168,000 lbs. 151,000 lbs. 76,200 Kg 68,600 Kg 68.6 MT 76.2 MT 122.0 MT
3 in. 72mm 276.0 lbs. 410.0 Kg 398,000 lbs. 358,000 lbs. 181,000 Kg 162,000 Kg 162.0 MT 181.0 MT 289.0 MT
* Spliced strength
Tenex-TEC Tenex-TEC is a 12-strand Samthane coated, high

tenacity polyester single braid that offers high strength,
Secondary low stretch and outstanding abrasion resistance.
Mooring Tenex-TEC makes an excellent mooring line stopper
Line Stopper because, during its initial use, the design will flex-conform
Product Code: 825 to the specific mooring line rope construction and improve
its holding capability. As Tenex-TEC wears, its coefficient
of friction increases even more. It should only be used with
synthetic fiber secondary mooring lines, or mooring lines not on winches.
Tenex-TEC should not be used on high performance synthetic ropes that have
external outer fibers with a low coefficient of friction material such as Dyneema®.
Stopper Strength Comparison

Size Weight SRT ISO/BS EN919 Size Weight SRT ISO/BS EN919
Diameter Per 100 Ft. MBS* Strength Diameter Per 100 m MBS* Strength
INCHES INCHES POUNDS POUNDS MILLIMETERS KILOGRAMS METRIC TONNES METRIC TONNES
1-1/4 in. 55.0 in. 55,800 lbs. 62,000 lbs. 30mm 81.8 Kg 25.3 MT 28.1 MT
* Spliced strength
Innovative Chafe Protection
Samson has the most innovative chafe solutions to extend the life of your synthetic ropes
Wherever chafe can effect performance, Samson chafe protection

solutions will ensure a safe and successful operation.
Protecting ropes from

abrasion and cutting
significantly increases
service life.
MOORING | TUG | OFFSHORE | INLAND RIVER | COMMERCIAL FISHING CHAFE CHAFE
SOLUTIONS
Dynalene | CODE 975

> Fixed or adjustable for easy
positioning
> Lightweight, floats
> Easy inspection without removing
> Field repairable
> Excellent durability
> Made with Dyneema®
DC Gard | CODE 706

positioning
> Light and flexible, floats
High performance chafe protection – tough > Can be removed for rope inspection
> Cut resistant
enough for the most demanding situations > Superior durability

> Made with Dyneema®
> PATENT PENDING
Samson high performance synthetic ropes have been engineered
to provide ease of handling, extreme strength, and long service life.
Dyneema,® a major component in many of Samson’s high performance
ropes, is the most cut resistant fiber. While properly designed and
engineered ropes take maximum advantage of this resistance, in the
real world environment of the commercial marine industry, protecting
ropes from abrasion and cutting significantly increases service life.
Chafe protection engineered to combat cutting and abrasion

Samson has committed substantial research and development
resources to designing a line of chafe protection products that
maximizes the service life of our ropes. The result is a family of
products perfectly suited to combat the causes of cutting and abrasion
encountered in offshore, mooring and tug operations. Because each DC Moor-Gard | CODE 706
application has its own characteristic requirements, Samson has > Fixed or adjustable for easy
positioning
developed a full range of options to protect your investment and > Light and flexible, floats
ensure the longest service life for your working ropes. All chafe options > Can be removed for rope inspection
can be factory-installed on your ropes prior to shipment from our > Cut resistant
> Superior durability
plants, or are available in bulk for field installation. > Made with Dyneema®
> PATENT PENDING
When replacing wire ropes with synthetics, it is important to prepare
or repair the surfaces of deck equipment damaged by abrasion.
Chocks, fairleads, bollards, bitts or other hardware contacting the rope
need to be smooth and free of rust to ensure your ropes’ longest life.
A Samson representative is available to visit your vessel to assess
the hardware condition and advise on proper preparation to maximize
the service life of your ropes. That’s The Samson Advantage: high
performance, reliable products, innovative engineering and the Technolene | CODE 976
best customer service in the industry. positioning
> Excellent heat resistance for high heat
environments / applications
> Easy to inspect without removing
> Excellent durability and cut resistance
> Made with Technora®
ADDITIONAL CHAFE PROTECTION PRODUCTS:
Pro-Gard Eye Protector | CODE 973
Pro-Gard | CODE 974
Pro-Moor | CODE 977
IFH Chafe-Guard | CODE 999601
Cordura® Chafe Protector | CODE R6
Tug Applications HIGH PERFORMANCE TUG WORKING LINES
Few environments challenge rope as much as modern tug operations…
SAMSON’S DPX® FIBER

TECHNOLOGY:
Inherently cut and chemical resistant, industry leading
12-strand braids such as AmSteel ®-Blue typically have
a very low coefficient of friction (COF), limiting their
use in applications that require the use of capstans
or bitts. The engineers in Samson’s R&D department
developed an entirely new method of combining the
high heat resistance and higher COF of polyester with
the high strength, lightweight, and high cut and abrasion
resistance of Dyneema®. Samson’s patented use of
DPX ® fiber greatly increases the coefficient of friction to
provide the grip of polyester with the ultimate strength
of Dyneema®.
DPX ® fiber technology is used in popular winch-based
marine ropes like Quantum-8 and in the 12-strand
construction of Quantum-12. DPX ®-75 incorporates
DPX ® fiber technology in the cover of a jacketed product.
Tug operators using H-bitts and capstans can now take
full advantage of the strength and ease of handling of
ropes made with Dyneema ®.
APS TUG
APPLICATIONS
Class II
AmSteel®-Blue | PAGE 22
Neutron®-8 | PAGE 23
Proton®-8 | PAGE 25
Force-8 | PAGE 24
Samson’s high performance synthetics

stand up to the challenge
Quantum-8 | PAGE 26
There are very few ropes in the commercial Whether you work from a winch or H-bitts,
marine environment that are used with the there’s a Samson rope made specifically for
frequency of a tugs working lines. Add to your application
this the physical stress and abrasion that’s Samson’s patented use of DPX® fiber
produced by the very nature of their work, incorporates the strength of Dyneema® with
and you’ve got one of the most demanding the high coefficient of friction that polyester
situations a rope can face. fiber provides. We’ve put that technology
Samson has designed a family of ropes to work in two patented constructions Class I
that face up to these demands day in and – Quantum-8 and Quantum-12 – designed
Premium Polyester-8 | PAGE 43
day out. Lightweight, high strength Samson specifically for the needs of working tugs
synthetic ropes engineered with Dyneema® using H-bitts. The enhanced grip allows RP-12 Polyester | PAGE 36
fiber meet these tough demands for some these high performance lines to work as RP-12 SSR-1200 | PAGE 35
of the world’s most critical tug operators. efficiently as polyester where capstans
and H-bitts are in use, but also function RP-Ultra Blue | PAGE 37
Samson high performance synthetics equally well from winches. SSR-1200-3 | PAGE 40
are a safer and more cost-effective option SSR-1200-8 | PAGE 40
Lightweight, high strength Samson ropes
And, of course, they all come standard
are a safer and more cost-effective with The Samson Advantage… Stable Braid | PAGE 38
alternative to either heavy, large diameter The latest in fiber technology, high Ultra Blue-3 | PAGE 41
traditional working lines or wire rope. performance products, state-of-the-art
manufacturing, and over 125 years of Ultra Blue-8 | PAGE 41
Lightweight, easy handling lines mean
reduced crew demands and fewer work- experience all add up to real value for SSR-301R | PAGE 43
related injuries. There are no fishhooks our customers. When you combine these
to worry about, and once your deck with our world-class service – experienced
equipment is faired, maintenance is sales and application engineers that help
minimal. Easier handling also means solve real world problems with unique
cordage products – you see why we Chafe Protection
faster tie-ups, and the ability to stand High Performance Chafe Solutions
down even quicker. The overall effect call it The Samson Advantage.
PAGES 10 –11
is reduced costs and more efficient
operations. It has been proven in actual
field tests for over 10 years.
Samson Engineered Solutions THE SAMSON ADVANTAGE AT WORK
Quantum-8 lasts 10 to 12 times longer for SSTP in Indonesia
“…Quantum-8 lasts 10 to 12 times longer than

the traditional synthetics we had tried over the
previous five years…this brings about a huge
savings in time previously incurred for rope
renewals, and the reduced diameter
for the same strength of
conventional ropes have
made mooring/unmooring
a lot easier and faster.”
ARMINDO GOMES
Technical Director,
Canada Steamship Lines (Asia)
CSL (ASIA) PROJECT NOTES:

Customer: Canadian Steamship Lines (Asia)
Vessel Type: SSTP (Semi Submersible Trans-shipment
Platform)
Problem: Synthetic ropes used to position and range
barges while offloading failed after only 200 to 300 hours
Hardware: Four 40MT traction winches
Solution: Quantum-8 replaced the synthetic lines on all
four winches
Outcome: Quantum-8 provides 2,500 to 3,000 hours of
service life before retirement
QUANTUM-8:
Construction: Patented 8-strand single braid with DPX®
fiber technology
Fibers: Dyneema® SK-75 and polyester
Technology: Samson DPX® fiber incorporated in surface
strands for grip, abrasion and cut resistance
Specific Gravity: 1.00 (floats)
APPLICATIONS:
> Wire replacement
> Secondary mooring lines
> Barge and dredge working lines
> Tractor tug winch lines
> Heavy lift slings
> Rig tow lines
> Lowering and lifting lines
Q-8
QUANTUM-8
CASE STUDY
Quantum-8 takes on a high fatigue stress job

We talk a lot about our application and sales engineers. It is one of the things that
sets Samson apart from other manufacturers of cordage products. This is a real world
example of application engineering at its best.
Canadian Steamship Lines (CSL) Asia has been operating a Semi Submersible
Trans-shipment Platform (SSTP) for the past seven years at Muara Pantai in Tanjung
Redeb, Berau, Indonesia. The platform is stationed 10 miles offshore, and receives
barges from the mine operation, offloading the coal to the waiting capesize vessels. The SSTP loading a bulk carrier
6,000MT to 10,000MT barges are ranged over a 60 meter span within the docking space
of the SSTP via four 40MT winches located at each corner of the platform. Each time
a barge is offloaded, another barge is docked and ranged until the bulk carrier is fully
loaded. The SSTP then moves via its own power to another bulk carrier awaiting loading.
With three to four barges docked and ranged daily, the ropes used in this operation are
subjected to very high fatigue stresses. Over the past five years, they had tried various
types of synthetic ropes, yet the longest period before failure was between 200 and 300
hours of operation.
A meeting between John Morton, Samson sales manager and Mr. Armindo Gomes, Installation of Quantum-8
technical director for CSL (Asia) resulted in a test of Quantum-8, Samson’s patented
8-strand construction using DPX® technology – a blend of Dyneema® fibers and spun
polyester fiber that provides high strength, lightweight and excellent grip for use on
winches, capstans and bitts. Favorable test results made the decision to purchase
Quantum-8 an easy one.
The Samson Advantage in action

John Morton oversaw the installation of the ropes and trained the crew in use,
maintenance, inspection and splicing. Over the last two years of operation, Quantum-8
has been in service for 2,500 to 3,000 hours. The reduced diameter compared to the
ropes previously in use means quicker, safer mooring/unmooring operations. With barges
SSTP offloads three to four
being docked and cargo trans-shipped at a rate of three to four a day, the increase in barges per bulk carrier…
productivity has been dramatic.
“…the offer of your Quantum-8 rope for trials really turned our operation around.
We have used your ropes for almost two years now, and are pleased to state that
Quantum-8 lasts 10 to 12 times longer than the traditional synthetics we had tried over
the previous five years…this brings about a huge savings in time previously incurred
for rope renewals, and the reduced diameter for the same strength of conventional
ropes have made mooring/unmooring a lot easier and faster.”
“I would not hesitate to recommend this rope to any operator.”
Armindo Gomes, BEng, MMgmt (project), MBA

Technical Director, Canada Steamship Lines (Asia)
…then moves on its own power to
With the success of this installation, Samson has recently supplied another set next carrier awaiting load
of Quantum-8 winch lines to CSL for a new SSTP now working in Melbourne,
Australia trans-shipping iron ore.
Tug Assist / Maneuvering Lines
When asked what has been the most significant
technical advance to impact tug efficiency by Maritime
Reporter & Engineering News, Tom Crowley, Jr. replied:
“Synthetic rope – it is as strong as wire,

it floats, and it has enabled us to do
some amazing things… the tanker
escorting business is built around
these new ropes, as there’s no way
you could do it without them,”
he summarized.
Samson offers specific products to meet the needs of varying tug designs and bollard pulls for
conventional or tractor tugs assist/maneuvering lines that are worked off drums or H-bitts.
Our Sales and Engineering groups can assist by supplying detailed engineered solutions to improve rope
performance and safety.
WHEN WORKING WITH H-BITTS:

Slippage and the effect of heat build up are critical factors when working with H-bitts. The main rope for use on H-bitts
should have an outer working surface of polyester to provide the holding friction and heat protection necessary when
surging the rope. To minimize the working line weight and maximize the wear of the shipboard connecting end, a floating
lightweight AmSteel®-Blue pendant can be utilized.
FOR DRUM WORKING LINES:

Since gripping and heat resistance are not as critical, the higher strength and lighter weight of an all Dyneema® fiber
rope provide the best performance. These ropes are also used with a replaceable connecting pendant to insure
maximum service life of the main working line.
Drum Working Line Comparisons STRENGTHS SHOWN IN METRIC TONNES

Size Size Quantum-8 AmSteel®-Blue Neutron®-8
Diameter Circumference Per 100 M SRT MBS* Per 100 M SRT MBS* Per 100 M SRT MBS*
INCHES MILLIMETERS INCHES MILLIMETERS KILOGRAMS METRIC TONNES KILOGRAMS METRIC TONNES KILOGRAMS METRIC TONNES
2 in. 48mm 6 in. 144mm 137.0 Kg 131.0 MT 129.0 Kg 155.0 MT 134.0 Kg 184.0 MT
2-1/4 in. 56mm 7 in. 168mm 173.0 Kg 161.0 MT 173.0 Kg 219.0 MT 169.0 Kg 224.0 MT
* Spliced strength
H-bitt Working Line Comparisons STRENGTHS SHOWN IN METRIC TONNES

Size Size RP-12 SSR-1200 Proton®-8 Quantum-12
Diameter Circumference Per 100 M SRT MBS* Per 100 M SRT MBS* Per 100 M SRT MBS*
INCHES MILLIMETERS INCHES MILLIMETERS KILOGRAMS METRIC TONNES KILOGRAMS METRIC TONNES KILOGRAMS METRIC TONNES
* Spliced strength
Maneuvering Line Pendants APS TUG
APPLICATIONS
Pendants
To ensure maximum service life of tug assist and maneuvering lines,

Samson recommends the use of a single leg or strop pendant.
The pendants will take the abuse of rough undressed chocks and bitts aboard the assisted
vessel and allow the main assist lines to be maintained. The pendants can be connected by
way of cow-hitching the 1 meter soft eye of the single leg or the strop to the main line soft
eye. The strop configuration can be readjusted to share the wear over the strop length.
To protect the pendants, our Pro-Gard™ Eye Protectors for the pendant eyes can be easily
installed in the field or at time of order—refer to pages 10 –11.
AmSteel®- Blue SINGLE LEG PENDANT CONFIGURATION:

Single-Leg Pendants Standard overall length is 15.2m
(50 ft.) with a 1m (3 ft.) soft eye,
for mating to main line, and a 2m
(6 ft.) soft eye for shipboard
connection.
Size Size Weight SRT Size Weight SRT ISO/BS EN919

Diameter Circumference Per Unit MBS* Diameter Per Unit MBS* MBS
1-1/2 in. 4-1/2 in. 39.0 lbs. 205,000 lbs. 36mm 17.7 Kg 93.0 MT 103.0 MT
1-5/8 in. 5 in. 51.0 lbs. 255,000 lbs. 40mm 23.1 Kg 116.0 MT 128.0 MT
2 in. 6 in. 73.0 lbs. 343,000 lbs. 48mm 33.1 Kg 155.0 MT 173.0 MT
Eye-to-eye single leg connection. 3-1/4 in. 10 in. 245.0 lbs. 906,000 lbs. 80mm 111.0 Kg 411.0 MT 457.0 MT
* Spliced strength
AmSteel®- Blue SINGLE LEG STROP CONFIGURATION:

Standard overall length is 15.2m (50 ft.).
Strop Pendants Strop strengths are 1.6 x single leg
rope strengths.

Diameter Circumference Per Unit MBS* Diameter Per Unit MBS* MBS
Strop to main line connection.
* Spliced strength
Offshore Applications HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC ROPE SOLUTIONS
When you need to go deep – wire and cable won't get you there,
OFFSHORE APPLICATIONS:
> Mooring tethers
> Working lines
> Heavy lift slings
> Rig tow lines
> Wire replacement winch lines
> Lowering and lifting lines
> Messenger pick-up lines
> Seismic towing array
APS
OFFSHORE
APPLICATIONS
you need The Samson Advantage Class II

®
AmSteel -Blue | PAGE 22
Mooring Defender | PAGE 33
Neutron®-8 | PAGE 23
Proton®-8 | PAGE 25
Quantum-8 | PAGE 26
Samson high performance synthetics meet the
newest demands of the offshore industry
Turbo-75 | PAGE 28
Deepwater exploration and operation Our staff of application and sales
have become commonplace in today’s engineers works directly with customers
offshore industry. Samson high to meet those needs with products
performance synthetics provide the designed, manufactured, and tested to
enabling technology that make reaching solve critical offshore problems. Samson
these new depths a reality. At 1/7th the engineers developed custom solutions for
weight of similar strength wire, these riser installation in the largest riser tower
products keep deck loads low, reduce yet installed (the Enfield riser tower in Class I
strain on winches, provide easier handling Australia), and are engineering riser hold Stable Braid | PAGE 38
and a margin of safety that is unrivalled by back tethers for sub-sea installations.
traditional technologies. Lightweight ropes
But it’s not just the custom applications Super Strong | PAGE 39
require fewer crew for handling
and significantly reduce the time that get Samson engineers on-site
required for most operations. They’re on hand for installations and Ultra Blue-8 | PAGE 41
crew training in maintenance, splicing
Deepwater lowering and lifting lines, and inspection procedures. Samson’s
mooring tethers, anchor retrieval lines, professionals provide on-site inspections
riser winch lines, lifting slings, tow lines and lab testing to update and assess
and bridles all benefit from technology retirement criteria to ensure the longest
engineered by Samson to meet the service life and safety of all our products.
needs of this demanding industry. And It’s all part of The Samson Advantage Chafe Protection
with production and engineering staff – the most complete package of High Performance Chafe Solutions
strategically located near the Gulf of technology, experience, state-of-the-art PAGES 10 –11
Mexico, we provide service that is manufacturing, and customer service
second to none. in the business.
Critical applications depend on
superior engineering
With the most advanced R&D department
in the business, our product line is
positioned to lead the way in reaching
the needs of the offshore industry. But
there are always problems best solved
by product designed on a project-by-
project basis.
Inland River Applications HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC
ROPE SOLUTIONS
Keeping commerce moving on inland waterways is a tough job for ropes…
But Samson high performance

synthetics are up to the challenge
Working ropes for the U.S. Inland Waterways provide some of the most
demanding applications for modern rope technology. These lines see
more action than most in the commercial marine markets, and bear the
responsibility for keeping commerce moving on our waterways. Samson
meets the challenge with synthetic rope products that outperform wire and
are at least as strong, if not stronger than the wire they replace.
But strength is only part of the story.
The bottom line is…what does it do to your bottom line?

Samson high performance synthetic ropes are lightweight and easy to
handle. Making up and knocking down is quicker and safer. AmSteel®-Blue is,
size for size, as strong as wire, yet it floats. That means crews responsible
for handling ropes can be reduced. Lighter weight also means fewer work-
related injury claims. The lack of fish-hooks from broken strands further
reduces injuries.
Modern synthetics also require little or no maintenance when properly
installed. All deck hardware should be faired and repaired when the new
rope is installed; after that, with reasonable care and good chafe gear,
maintenance is minimal. There’s no re-lubing and end for ending is an easy
operation requiring no additional equipment. Splicing for most products is
a simple process that can be accomplished in the field without mechanical
equipment. Best of all, with proper care, the service life is as much as three
times that of wire. Add it all up and your bottom line just got a lot better.
Best of all, Samson offers a choice…non-jacketed or jacketed for wire rope

replacement; and the longest wearing locklines in the business
Rather than a single line that promises to replace all your wire, Samson
offers a full range of products engineered to perform in your situation
and with the configuration of your vessels. Patented constructions using
Samson’s DPX® technology are designed specifically for use on H-bitts and
capstans where grip is a major consideration. We’ve designed double braids
and single braids that excel working from winches. Even our 3-strand
lockline takes full advantage of the latest technology to deliver a line that
outperforms all others in the locks.
And if that isn’t enough, we also offer the best advice in the field
Experienced application and sales engineers that know both the ropes and
the industry can assist in determining the best product for your working
routines. They also assist with installations, advise on proper fairing of
existing equipment, train crews in splicing and inspecting the ropes to ensure
the longest service life. It’s all part of The Samson Advantage.
HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC
ROPE SOLUTIONS Commercial Fish Applications
When it comes to abusive, demanding and punishing environments for rope…
Few markets can dish it out like the fishing

grounds of the North Pacific and Bering Sea
These are some of the most productive fishing grounds in the world. They
are also some of the most unforgiving and punishing seas on earth. If a rope
can stand up to the constant usage and physical abuse of these fisheries, it
can withstand pretty much anything. Many of our products prove themselves
here before they are used for other commercial marine applications.
As if the sea states and weather weren’t enough, ropes here are spooled
from winches, run off capstans, retrieved while underway, pulled by power
heads, and generally subjected to more bending fatigue, shock loading
and abrasion than a decade of use as a mooring line. Replacing wire ropes
for many of these applications is a tough process, but the lightweight,
extreme strength and ease of handling of modern synthetics have made
a believer out of many a fisherman. If TrawlSteel-Blue can withstand the
constant deployment, retrieval, shock loading and sheer abuse the trawl
industry can dish out, it becomes the best tested winch-based mooring
line in the business. That’s true for many products from the Class II high
performance synthetics to the more traditional Class I ropes used in less
demanding situations.
Only the survivors remain in the Samson product line…

Samson manufactures a full line of products for commercial fishermen;
from 3-strand lines of nylon, polyester and olefin fibers to the all Dyneema®
fiber Class II extreme performance products. So many, in fact, they are not
all here in the commercial marine catalog. Visit www.samsonrope.com for
a complete listing of all Samson ropes for commercial fishing.
Best of all, they’re all backed by The Samson Advantage…

That’s our commitment to not only provide the most innovative products,
but to provide the best service in the industry. Service that includes onboard
training, on-site inspections for critical applications, and full access to all our
materials for splicing and technical information on the web.
12
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
AmSteel-Blue
®
The best all-around rope made with Dyneema®, a direct replacement for
Product Code: 872
wire ropes proven to reduce tug assist and mooring costs
FEATURES: AmSteel®-Blue is a proven cost-saving replacement for wire rope in key

> Uses Dyneema® SK-75 applications where strength, weight and safety are important.
> A size for size strength replacement Recognized worldwide as the standard for single braid HMPE ropes,
for wire rope at only 1/7th the weight AmSteel®-Blue is easily spliced and inspected. These features, with the
superior wear and tension fatigue of Dyneema® SK-75 fiber and Samthane
> Torque-free, very flexible, easy
coating, are combined in a torque-free 12-strand single braid design.
to handle The result is an industry leading braided synthetic rope that outlasts wire
> Similar elastic elongation to wire rope rope and has proven operator cost saving benefits.
> Easily inspected or field spliced AmSteel®-Blue, at only 1/7th the weight of wire, requires less committed
> Floats crew for most operations, significantly reduces mooring times and tug
costs, and improves crew safety. The reduced weight, high strength and low
APPLICATIONS: stretch also make it ideal for tug assist/maneuvering lines, resulting in quick,
> Primary vessel mooring lines efficient connections and controlled response. AmSteel®-Blue is proven to
provide longer service life and reduced costs when compared to wire in a
> Tractor tug lines variety of applications.
> Face and wing wires for push tugs Standardized working pendants are available for mooring and tug assist
> Emergency and seismic tow lines lines, see pages (8 & 9). AmSteel®-Blue is recommended for split drum
winch applications, not recommended for use on H-bitts, capstans or cleats
if surging or rendering the rope is required.
DYNEEMA®
SK-75
12-STRAND
CONSTRUCTION

Diameter Circumference Per 100 FT. MBS* Diameter Per 100 M MBS* MBS
3/16 in. 9/16 in. 1.0 lbs. 4,900 lbs. 5mm 1.5 Kg 2.2 MT 2.4 MT SPECIFICATIONS:
1/4 in. 3/4 in. 1.6 lbs. 7,700 lbs. 6mm 2.4 Kg 3.5 MT 3.9 MT Specific Gravity:
5/16 in. 1 in. 2.7 lbs. 12,300 lbs. 8mm 4.0 Kg 5.6 MT 6.2 MT .98 (floats)
3/8 in. 1-1/8 in. 3.6 lbs. 17,600 lbs. 9mm 5.4 Kg 8.0 MT 8.9 MT
7/16 in. 1-1/4 in. 4.2 lbs. 21,500 lbs. 11mm 6.2 Kg 9.8 MT 10.8 MT Elastic Elongation Percentage:
1/2 in. 1-1/2 in. 6.4 lbs. 30,600 lbs. 12mm 9.5 Kg 13.9 MT 15.4 MT At % of break strength
9/16 in. 1-3/4 in. 7.9 lbs. 36,500 lbs. 14mm 11.8 Kg 16.5 MT 18.4 MT 10% .................. 0.46%
5/8 in. 2 in. 10.2 lbs. 47,500 lbs. 16mm 15.2 Kg 21.5 MT 23.9 MT 20% .................. 0.70%
30% .................. 0.96%
1 in. 3 in. 21.8 lbs. 98,100 lbs. 24mm 32.4 Kg 44.5 MT 49.4 MT Splicing Procedures Required:
1-1/16 in. 3-1/4 in. 27.5 lbs. 118,000 lbs. 26mm 40.9 Kg 53.6 MT 59.6 MT > EYE SPLICE
12-Strand/Class II Rope
1-5/16 in. 4 in. 41.8 lbs. 166,000 lbs. 32mm 62.2 Kg 75.2 MT 83.6 MT > END FOR END SPLICE
1-3/8 in. 4-1/8 in. 45.0 lbs. 185,000 lbs. 34mm 67.0 Kg 83.9 MT 93.2 MT 12-Strand/Class II Rope
*Spliced strength Larger sizes may be available. Contact customer service for details.
Product Code: 867
The strongest rope made by Samson –

Neutron-8
®
8x3
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
Patented 8x3-strand construction with a firm cross section for use on winches
Neutron®- 8 is an excellent floating replacement for large FEATURES:

diameter wire rope or chain. The unique, patented construction > Firm shape retention on single drum
results in the highest strength to weight ratio, with reduced winch applications
compression and less diving on winch drums. Neutron®- 8 is
ideal for tractor tug working lines and a variety of specialty > Available in large diameter sizes
deep water applications where long lengths, high strength and long lengths
and low weight are critical. > Low stretch, high durability and easy to splice
Recommended for split drum or single drum winch applications; > A flexible rope made with Dyneema® SK-75
not recommended for use on H-bitts, capstans or cleats if > A floating wire rope replacement
surging or rendering the rope is required.
APPLICATIONS:
> Tractor tug winch line
> Specialized deep water mooring or
lifting projects
> First line ashore/emergency tow line
> Wire rope lifting sling replacement
DYNEEMA®
SK-75
PATENTED
8x3-STRAND
CONSTRUCTION

SPECIFICATIONS: 2 in. 6 in. 89.8 lbs. 405,000 lbs. 48mm 134.0 Kg 184.0 MT 204.0 MT
Specific Gravity: 2-1/8 in. 6-1/2 in. 101.0 lbs. 441,000 lbs. 52mm 151.0 Kg 200.0 MT 222.0 MT
.98 (floats)
Elastic Elongation Percentage: 2-5/8 in. 8 in. 155.0 lbs. 652,000 lbs. 64mm 230.0 Kg 296.0 MT 328.0 MT
At % of break strength 2-3/4 in. 8-1/2 in. 170.0 lbs. 711,000 lbs. 68mm 253.0 Kg 322.0 MT 358.0 MT
10% .................. 0.70% 3 in. 9 in. 202.0 lbs. 835,000 lbs. 72mm 301.0 Kg 379.0 MT 421.0 MT
20% .................. 0.90% 3-1/4 in. 10 in. 237.0 lbs. 998,000 lbs. 80mm 353.0 Kg 453.0 MT 503.0 MT
3-5/8 in. 11 in. 295.0 lbs. 1,185,000 lbs. 88mm 439.0 Kg 538.0 MT 597.0 MT
30% .................. 1.20%
4 in. 12 in. 359.0 lbs. 1,422,000 lbs. 96mm 534.0 Kg 645.0 MT 717.0 MT
Splicing Procedures Required: 4-1/4 in. 13 in. 406.0 lbs. 1,591,000 lbs. 104mm 603.0 Kg 722.0 MT 802.0 MT
> EYE SPLICE 4-5/8 in. 14 in. 480.0 lbs. 1,861,000 lbs. 112mm 715.0 Kg 844.0 MT 938.0 MT
8x3-Strand/Class II Rope 5 in. 15 in. 561.0 lbs. 2,150,000 lbs. 120mm 835.0 Kg 975.0 MT 1,084.0 MT
5-1/4 in. 16 in. 619.0 lbs. 2,353,000 lbs. 128mm 921.0 Kg 1,067.0 MT 1,186.0 MT
> END FOR END SPLICE 5-1/2 in. 17 in. 679.0 lbs. 2,565,000 lbs. 136mm 1,011.0 Kg 1,163.0 MT 1,293.0 MT
8x3-Strand/Class II Rope
*Spliced strength
®
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT {NEUTRON-8}
Samson pioneered the implementation of HMPE tug
assist lines with AmSteel ®-Blue. The extremely lightweight,
non-water absorbing braided ropes made with Dyneema®
have replaced wire rope or other larger circumference
and heavier polyester working lines. Products such as
AmSteel ®-Blue, Neutron®-8, and Proton®-8 allow tug
operators to handle lines with fewer crew members,
thus saving money.
8x3
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
Force-8 Product Code: 871
A unique, patented construction mooring line made with Dyneema®, featuring

a firm cross section specially designed for single/split drum winch applications
FEATURES: The unique, patented construction has a firm cross-section designed

> Uses Dyneema® SK-75 for single drum and split drum winch applications. The firm construc-
> A size for size strength replacement for tion results in reduced compression flattening and minimal diving
wire rope at only 1/7th the weight on the drum, while still providing the high strength, low weight, and
excellent flex-fatigue resistance of a rope made with Dyneema®.
> Torque-free, very flexible, easy to handle
> Similar elastic elongation to wire rope A Samthane coating is applied to the rope to add wear protection
without impacting flexibility or ease of splicing. Force-8 is available
> Easily inspected or field spliced in long continuous production block creel lengths to meet the needs
> Floats of deep water mooring or lifting projects. The design of Force-8
allows for easy visual inspection and verification of internal and
APPLICATIONS: external strand wear.
> Primary vessel mooring lines Recommended for split drum or single drum winch applications;
> Wire replacement for tug working lines not recommended for use on H-bitts, capstans or cleats if surging
> Face and wing wires for push tugs or rendering the rope is required.
> Emergency and seismic tow lines
DYNEEMA®
SK-75
PATENTED
8x3-STRAND
CONSTRUCTION

SPECIFICATIONS:
1-1/16 in. 3-1/4 in. 25.3 lbs. 98,200 lbs. 26mm 37.6 Kg 44.5 MT 49.5 MT Specific Gravity:
1-1/8 in. 3-1/2 in. 29.2 lbs. 112,000 lbs. 28mm 43.4 Kg 50.9 MT 56.6 MT .98 (floats)
1-5/16 in. 4 in. 37.9 lbs. 143,000 lbs. 32mm 56.4 Kg 64.7 MT 71.9 MT Elastic Elongation Percentage
1 3/8 in. 4-1/8 in. 41.0 lbs. 152,000 lbs. 34mm 61.0 Kg 69.0 MT 76.6 MT At % of break strength
1-1/2 in. 4-1/2 in. 47.6 lbs. 176,000 lbs. 36mm 70.8 Kg 80.0 MT 88.9 MT 10%.................. 0.70%
20%.................. 0.90%
30%.................. 1.20%
Splicing Procedures Required:
*Spliced strength > EYE SPLICE
8 x 3-Strand/Class II Rope
> END FOR END SPLICE
8 x 3-Strand/Class II Rope
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT {FORCE-8}
Samson's Force-8 is made with Dyneema® SK-75 for high
performance and to maximize strength and minimize
weight. Dyneema® SK-75 represents the most technically
advanced “virgin” HMPE (High Modulous Polyethylene) fiber
available for rope manufacturing. Since it is not a “post-drawn”
or “heat-set” HMPE fiber, Dyneema® SK-75 translates into
Samson ropes with the highest tension-fatigue resistance
and longest service life; superior to other synthetics such
as nylon, olefins, polyester or aramids.
Product Code: 830
Proton®-8 is an excellent versatile rope made with Dyneema® which

Proton-8
®
8
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
provides cost saving benefits in a multitude of marine applications
Proton®-8 uses Dyneema® SK-75 for high strength and low weight, FEATURES:
with a polyester overlay to provide the heat resistance and grip > High grip and heat resistance
necessary for use on bitts and capstans. Its firm, flexible, torque-free
construction performs well on both single and split drum winches. > High strength to weight ratio with low
water absorption for lightweight handling
Compared to all polyester or polyester/polypropylene combo ropes, > Flexible, torque-free 8-strand with
Proton®-8 is over twice as strong and weighs less size for size. a firm cross-section
It provides substantially better service life, is almost neutrally
buoyant, and has low water absorption for ease and speed of > Easy to field splice
handling during deployment and retrieval. The yellow Samthane
APPLICATIONS:
coating insures maximum wear resistance and service life while
making Proton®-8 highly visible. > Tractor tug winch line
®
This unique working line with Dyneema is a proven lightweight > Primary or secondary vessel mooring lines
solution to the problem of large, heavy ropes that are difficult to > Ship “tug” lines – stored on winch drum
manage, and add opportunity for crew injury. or flaked on deck
Designed for use on H-bitts and capstans for surging and rendering. > Barge tie-up lines
DYNEEMA®
SK-75
8-STRAND
CONSTRUCTION

1.09
Elastic Elongation Percentage: 1-3/8 in. 4-1/8 in. 46.0 lbs. 108,000 lbs. 34mm 68.4 Kg 48.8 MT 54.3 MT
At % of break strength
10% .................. 0.58%
1-3/4 in. 5-1/2 in. 74.8 lbs. 190.000 lbs. 44mm 111.0 Kg 86.1 MT 95.7 MT
20% .................. 0.87% 2 in. 6 in. 99.0 lbs. 238,000 lbs. 48mm 147.0 Kg 108.0 MT 120.0 MT
30% .................. 0.96% 2-1/8 in. 6-1/2 in. 112.0 lbs. 277,000 lbs. 52mm 167.0 Kg 126.0 MT 140.0 MT
Splicing Procedures Required: 2-1/4 in. 7 in. 125.0 lbs. 316,000 lbs. 56mm 186.0 Kg 143.0 MT 159.0 MT
> EYE SPLICE 2-3/8 in. 7-1/8 in. 140.0 lbs. 383,000 lbs. 57mm 208.0 Kg 174.0 MT 193.0 MT
> END FOR END SPLICE 2-3/4 in. 8-1/2 in. 188.0 lbs. 468,000 lbs. 68mm 280.0 Kg 212.0 MT 236.0 MT
8-Strand/Class II Rope 3 in. 9 in. 198.0 lbs. 542,000 lbs. 72mm 294.0 Kg 246.0 MT 273.0 MT
*Spliced strength
8
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
Quantum-8 Product Code: 863
Lightweight, high strength floating line with grip for use on H-bitts and capstans
FEATURES: Quantum-8 was developed to meet customer requests for a

> A blend of polyester and Dyneema® SK-75 lightweight, high strength, torque-free rope that can float and
> Good grip on capstans and H-bitts grip a winch or capstan. Lighter and stronger than Proton®-8,
> Floats Quantum-8 is a unique upgrade. This patented construction
® utilizes Samson’s exclusive DPX® fiber technology. Quantum-8
> Better abrasion resistance than Proton -8
has comparable grip to Proton®-8 – but unlike Proton®-8, it floats.
> Excellent single drum spooling capabilities Samson's proven DPX® fiber technology has the best abrasion
and cut resistance of all high performance fibers, so rope
APPLICATIONS:
durability is excellent. Quantum-8 has multiple marine uses.
> Wire replacement It can be used as a high performance tug working line, a floating
> Secondary mooring lines tug stern line, a typhoon or vessel mooring line, an offshore
> Barge and dredge working lines messenger or pick-up line. Quantum-8 has an orange urethane
> Tractor tug winch lines coating for high visibility as well as additional abrasion resistance.
> General working lines
> Heavy lift slings
> Rig tow lines
> Lowering / lifting lines
DYNEEMA®SK-75/
POLYESTER
BLEND
8-STRAND
CONSTRUCTION

1 in. 3 in. 23.0 lbs. 57,600 lbs. 24mm 34.2 Kg 26.1 MT 29.0 MT SPECIFICATIONS:
Specific Gravity:
1.00
1-3/8 in. 4-1/8 in. 43.5 lbs. 123,000 lbs. 34mm 64.7 Kg 55.9 MT 62.1 MT Elastic Elongation Percentage:
1-1/2 in. 4-1/2 in. 51.8 lbs. 165,000 lbs. 36mm 77.1 Kg 74.7 MT 83.0 MT At % of break strength
1-5/8 in. 5 in. 60.7 lbs. 198,000 lbs. 40mm 90.3 Kg 89.8 MT 99.8 MT 10% ..................0.97%
1-3/4 in. 5-1/2 in. 70.4 lbs. 228,000 lbs. 44mm 105.0 Kg 103.0 MT 115.0 MT 20% ..................1.15%
30% ..................1.29%
2-1/4 in. 7 in. 116.0 lbs. 356,000 lbs. 56mm 173.0 Kg 161.0 MT 179.0 MT Splicing Procedures Required:
2-3/4 in. 8-1/2 in. 174.0 lbs. 522,000 lbs. 68mm 259.0 Kg 237.0 MT 263.0 MT > END FOR END SPLICE
3 in. 9 in. 207.0 lbs. 617,000 lbs. 72mm 308.0 Kg 280.0 MT 311.0 MT 8-Strand/Class II Rope
5-1/2 in. 17 in. 760.0 lbs. 2,129,000 lbs. 136mm 1,131.0 Kg 966.0 MT 1,073.0 MT
6 in. 18 in. 856.0 lbs. 2,354,000 lbs. 144mm 1,274.0 Kg 1,068.0 MT 1,186.0 MT
*Spliced strength
Product Code: 873 Quantum-12
Lightweight, high strength rope that grips H-bitts and capstans
12
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
Quantum-12 is the latest addition in the continuing development FEATURES:

of products utilizing Samson’s patented use of DPX® fiber. Much
> Good grip on capstans and H-bitts
like Quantum-8, Quantum-12 is a lightweight, high strength, floating
rope that can grip a capstan or H-bitt. The DPX® fiber provides > Excellent abrasion resistance
superior abrasion and cut resistance, but with a higher coefficient of > Floats
friction than similar high performance ropes such as AmSteel®-Blue. > Easily spliced
The 12-strand construction provides added flexibility, improved
handling and easy spliceability. Green Samthane coating provides APPLICATIONS:
excellent visibility and additional abrasion resistance. > Wire replacement
> Offshore messenger or pick-up line
> For use on H-bitts, capstans and winches
> General working lines
> Rig tow lines
DYNEEMA®
SK-75
12-STRAND
CONSTRUCTION

0.99 1-1/4 in. 3-3/4 in. 36.4 lbs. 117,000 lbs. 30mm 54.2 Kg 53.1 MT 59.0 MT
At % of break strength 1-5/8 in. 5 in. 61.5 lbs. 216,000 lbs. 40mm 91.5 Kg 98.0 MT 109.0 MT
10% .................. 0.65%
20% .................. 0.75%
30% .................. 0.90% 2-1/4 in. 7 in. 118.0 lbs. 374,000 lbs. 56mm 176.0 Kg 169.0 MT 188.0 MT
Splicing Procedures Required: 2-3/8 in. 7-1/8 in. 131.0 lbs. 419,000 lbs. 57mm 195.0 Kg 190.0 MT 211.0 MT
> END FOR END SPLICE 3 in. 9 in. 210.0 lbs. 698,000 lbs. 72mm 312.0 Kg 316.0 MT 352.0 MT
12-Strand/Class II Rope 3-1/4 in. 10 in. 246.0 lbs. 768,000 lbs. 80mm 366.0 Kg 348.0 MT 387.0 MT
*Spliced strength Larger sizes may be available. Contact customer service for details.
DBDOUBLE
BRAID
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
Turbo-75 Product Code: 864
A robust, braid on braid construction winch line with 100% Dyneema® –

designed to replace wire rope in mooring, tug or trawl systems
FEATURES: Proven effective as a Gilson wire rope replacement in the

> Excellent single drum spooling toughest trawl commercial fishing applications.
capabilities Turbo-75 has the relative firmness and low stretch of wire, yet
> Lightweight handling only 1/6th the weight. For tough winch rope applications where
> Superior drum compression resistance the weight and inflexibility of wire rope is a problem, Turbo-75 is
ideal. It spools on winches very well, does not rust or “fish hook”
> Retains hard round shape during use
like wire rope, and it floats!
> Protective cover with Dyneema® provides
superior wear characteristics Both cover and core are coated with a proprietary Samthane
coating. The superior fiber, design, and construction all create
APPLICATIONS: a rope which can have a service life 2 to 3 times that of wire rope.
> Single or split drum winch primary A standard cover repair kit is available and easy to field apply.
mooring lines for various vessels This product design requires a specialized splicing technique
> Wire replacements in commercial that does not facilitate field splicing.
fishing trawl systems
> “Tugger” winch lines for AHVs
> Deep water lifting projects
DYNEEMA®
SK-75
CORE-DEPENDENT
DOUBLE BRAID

SPECIFICATIONS:
1-1/4 in. 3-3/4 in. 38.5 lbs. 135,000 lbs. 30mm 57.3 Kg 61.2 MT 68.0 MT .98
1-5/8 in. 5 in. 67.0 lbs. 225,000 lbs. 40mm 99.7 Kg 102.0 MT 113.0 MT At % of break strength
1-3/4 in. 5-1/2 in. 80.5 lbs. 275,000 lbs. 44mm 120.0 Kg 125.0 MT 138.0 MT 10% ..................0.33%
20% ..................0.49%
30% ..................0.76%
*Spliced strength
> EYE SPLICE
Product specific
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT {TURBO-75}
Turbo-75 is designed to withstand the abuses of the most
demanding winch-based applications. The durable “turbo”
braided jacket made with Dyneema® is extremely cut and
abrasion resistant. In this core-dependant construction, the
jacket is sacrificial and protects the strength member,
a 12-strand single braid core, also made with Dyneema®.
This robust combination, with a specific gravity of .98, is still
light enough to float, yet outlasts wire in demanding
applications by 2 or 3 times.
Product Code: 865
A jacketed mooring line using Samson’s exclusive DPX ®

DPX-75
®
DB
DOUBLE
BRAID
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
technology for enhanced grip
DPX®-75 uses a 12-strand core combined with a proprietary braided FEATURES:

jacket design of Dyneema® and polyester fibers. A unique bonding
> DPX® fiber jacket provides excellent grip
material combines the cover and 12-strand core of Dyneema® on winch drums and heat resistance
SK-75 to insure no movement between the two components.
Samson's patented use of DPX® fiber creates a very firm round rope > 1/6th the weight of wire rope
that will have minimal flattening under load and little tendency to dive and it floats
or jam on winch drums. > Firm round cross-section for superior
winch performance
DPX®-75 was designed to replace wire rope on winch drums but
not to serve as a marine working rope. This firm construction works > Lightweight handling performance
extremely well as a mooring or winch line. reduces mooring related injuries
A standard cover repair kit is available and easy to field apply. APPLICATIONS:
This product design requires specialized splicing techniques that
> Primary mooring lines for single or split
does not facilitate field splicing. drum winches
> Winch line for deep water lifting projects
DYNEEMA®
SK-75
CORE-DEPENDENT
DOUBLE BRAID

SPECIFICATIONS:
1.00 1-5/16 in. 4 in. 42.0 lbs. 149,000 lbs. 32mm 62.5 Kg 67.4 MT 74.8 MT
At % of break strength 1-5/8 in. 5 in. 58.0 lbs. 225,000 lbs. 40mm 86.3 Kg 102.0 MT 113.0 MT
10% ................. 0.33%
20% ................. 0.49%
30% ................. 0.78%
*Spliced strength
> EYE SPLICE
Product specific
DB
DOUBLE
BRAID
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
Turbo-EPX
Lightweight, high strength, round and firm winch rope
Product Code: 886
FEATURES: Turbo-EPX is a unique jacketed product made with a 12-strand

Dyneema® SK-75 core bonded to a polyester jacket. This durable jacket
> Good grip on winch drums
provides grip and protects the strength member core from degradation.
> Heat resistant The core and jacket of Turbo-EPX work in harmony, preventing excess
> Lightweight for safer and cover slack during mooring operations, which translates into longer
easier handling service life. This construction creates a firm, round, torque-free rope,
> Superior winch performance with much like wire rope, but at 1/6th the weight. Turbo-EPX delivers excellent
firm, round construction performance on all types of winches and offers much better resistance to
flex and tension fatigue than wire. Coating improves service life, reduces
snagging, enhances abrasion resistance, and prevents contamination.
APPLICATIONS:
> Wire replacement – jacketed
> Deepwater lowering and lifting lines
> Primary mooring lines
> Winch based tug working lines
> Wire replacement – tug
working pendant
DYNEEMA®
SK-75
CORE-
DEPENDENT
CONSTRUCTION

INCHES INCHES POUNDS POUNDS MILLIMETERS KILOGRAMS METRIC TONNES METRIC TONNES SPECIFICATIONS:
Specific Gravity:
1.13
1-5/16 in. 4 in. 47.0 lbs. 149,000 lbs. 32mm 69.9 Kg 67.4 MT 74.8 MT Elastic Elongation Percentage:
1-1/2 in. 4-1/2 in. 65.0 lbs. 189,000 lbs. 36mm 96.7 Kg 85.7 MT 95.3 MT 10% ................0.30%
20% ................0.50%
30% ................0.80%
2-1/8 in. 6-1/2 in. 118.0 lbs. 351,000 lbs. 52mm 176.0 Kg 159.0 MT 177.0 MT Splicing Procedures Required:
2-1/4 in. 7 in. 138.0 lbs. 405,000 lbs. 56mm 205.0 Kg 184.0 MT 204.0 MT > EYE SPLICE
*Spliced strength
Product specific
Product Code: 446 Validator-12
Designed for deepwater lifting projects and towed or
12
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
sub-surface taut array systems that require a non-floating rope
Validator-12 is an extremely high strength, FEATURES: APPLICATIONS:

low stretch, non-rotational 12-strand braid > Very high strength with > Towed or taut array systems
of Samthane coated Vectran® fiber. It is low stretch > Deepwater lowering and
designed to meet the needs of deepwater
> Non-rotational/free running retrieval lines
lifting projects and towed or sub-surface flexible construction
taut array systems that require a non-
floating rope. Based on its strength, size > High wear and heat resistance
can be minimized to reduce drag and > Fast, easy splicing
vortex strumming effects.

Diameter Circumference Per 100 FT. MBS* Diameter Per 100 M MBS* MBS SPECIFICATIONS:
Specific Gravity:
7/64 in. 5/16 in. 0.5 lbs. 1,800 lbs. 2.5mm 0.74 Kg 0.82 MT 0.91 MT
1/8 in. 3/8 in. 0.6 lbs. 2,400 lbs. 3mm 0.89 Kg 1.1 MT 1.2 MT
1.39
3/16 in. 9/16 in. 1.3 lbs. 5,000 lbs. 5mm 1.9 Kg 2.2 MT 2.5 MT Elastic Elongation Percentage:
1/4 in. 3/4 in. 2.2 lbs. 8,500 lbs. 6mm 3.3 Kg 3.8 MT 4.3 MT At % of break strength
5/16 in. 1 in. 3.6 lbs. 12,600 lbs. 8mm 5.4 Kg 5.7 MT 6.4 MT 10%................. 0.49%
3/8 in. 1-1/8 in. 4.6 lbs. 17,600 lbs. 9mm 6.8 Kg 8.0 MT 8.8 MT 20%................. 0.78%
30%................. 0.98%
9/16 in. 1-3/4 in. 10.8 lbs. 38,700 lbs. 14mm 16.1 Kg 17.6 MT 19.5 MT Splicing Procedures Required:
5/8 in. 2 in. 14.0 lbs. 49,500 lbs. 16mm 20.8 Kg 22.5 MT 24.9 MT > EYE SPLICE
*Spliced strength
Product Code: 890
High strength and heat resistance, with low stretch and superior
Tech-12 12
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
flex-fatigue characteristics
Tech-12 is a very high strength and heat FEATURES: APPLICATIONS:

resistant, non-rotational, Samthane coated > High strength, low stretch > Deepwater lift lines
12-strand single braid rope that offers
> Flexible non-rotational > Towed or taut moored array
the low stretch of an aramid fiber but with
construction systems
superior flex-fatigue. This 100% Technora®
fiber rope construction has negligible creep > High heat resistance > Heat resistant stopper
or cold flow characteristics and yields > Easy to splice
excellent control stability for equipment > Negligible creep/cold flow
installations over a long period of time.

Diameter Circumference Per 100 FT. MBS* Diameter Per 100 M MBS* MBS SPECIFICATIONS:
1/8 in. 3/8 in. 0.6 lbs. 2,500 lbs. 3mm 0.89 Kg 1.1 MT 1.3 MT Specific Gravity:
3/16 in. 9/16 in. 1.3 lbs. 5,000 lbs. 5mm 1.9 Kg 2.3 MT 2.5 MT 1.39
1/4 in. 3/4 in. 1.9 lbs. 7,300 lbs. 6mm 2.8 Kg 3.3 MT 3.7 MT Elastic Elongation Percentage:
5/16 in. 1 in. 3.2 lbs. 11,700 lbs. 8mm 4.8 Kg 5.3 MT 5.9 MT
10% .................. 0.63%
20% .................. 0.96%
5/8 in. 2 in. 13.5 lbs. 38,700 lbs. 16mm 20.1 Kg 17.6 MT 19.5 MT 30% .................. 1.20%
3/4 in. 2-1/4 in. 19.3 lbs. 58,500 lbs. 18mm 28.7 Kg 26.5 MT 29.5 MT Splicing Procedures Required:
> EYE SPLICE
*Spliced strength > END FOR END SPLICE
12
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
TrawlSteel-Blue
12-strand braid made with Dyneema® and a control core of
Product Code: 879
Samson’s 100% polyester Duravet
FEATURES: Trawl-Steel-Blue evolved from the development of TrawlSteel

® – a rope Samson engineers designed for use, as its name
> Uses Dyneema SK-75
suggests, in the commercial fishing market. TrawlSteel-Blue
> A size for size strength replacement combines a 12-strand construction of 100% Dyneema® SK-75
for wire rope with a control core of Samson’s 100% polyester Duravet.
> Torque-free, very flexible, easy to handle This combination results in a rope with the high strength,
> Similar elastic elongation to wire rope lightweight and ease of splicing of a 12-strand made with
> Easily inspected or field spliced Dyneema® SK-75, yet stays round and firm – perfect for use
on winch-based systems. Since the Duravet control core is
APPLICATIONS: not load bearing, TrawlSteel-Blue can be spliced using the
standard 12-strand Class II splicing instructions.
> Towing lines
> Winch based working lines
> Primary and secondary mooring lines
> Trawl and bridle lines
DYNEEMA
D
DYNEE
EM A®
MA
SK
S
SK-75
K-7
2-STRAO
112-STRAND
2-STR
STRAN
AND
TROL
TR
ROL C
CONTROL COR
COREREE
R

9/16 in. 1-3/4 in. 9.6 lbs. 32,100 lbs. 14mm 14.3 Kg 14.6 MT 16.2 MT Specific Gravity:
5/8 in. 2 in. 13.3 lbs. 42,500 lbs. 16mm 19.8 Kg 19.3 MT 21.4 MT 1.03
Elastic Elongation Percentage:
> EYE SPLICE
2 in. 6 in. 113.0 lbs. 261,000 lbs. 48mm 169.0 Kg 118.0 MT 132.0 MT > END FOR END SPLICE
*Spliced strength
Product Code: 859 Mooring Defender
The first lightweight braided mooring line with proven
12
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class II
reduced recoil risk
Mooring Defender is a 12-strand mooring line made with Dyneema® based on FEATURES:
Samson’s unique, patented reduced recoil technology. Polyester fibers on the > Excellent UV resistance
surface of the rope provide a high coefficient of friction, resulting in better grip.
Dangerous ‘snap back’, inherent to traditionally designed ropes, can cause > Easy to inspect, splice or repair
onboard ship
severe injury to rope handlers and equipment in ship mooring operations.
Engineered to meet the needs of our modern US military vessels, Mooring > Reduced recoil property are
Defender is designed to absorb the energy released by the rope when it breaks, quantified per CI 1502 standard
thus reducing the tendency of the rope to recoil. Like Samson’s other high
performance mooring ropes, Mooring Defender has high strength, superior APPLICATIONS:
abrasion resistance, and low elongation. Size for size, Mooring Defender is over > Primary and secondary
twice the strength of traditional nylons and, unlike nylon, has no wet strength mooring lines
loss. When compared to 4-strand aramid rope, Mooring Defender is more > General working lines
flexible, has better UV resistance, is lighter weight, and will not hockle. > SVMS component
When Mooring Defender is subjected to excessive tension loads, the lower
elongating fibers will break first, transferring the load to the remaining specially
designed control strands. This creates an indication of rope failure before the
rope becomes completely separated. In a conventional rope, the rope will break
without warning, causing unpredictable and potentially dangerous movements
of the broken ends.
DYNEEMA®
SK-75 /
POLYESTER
12-STRAND
CONSTRUCTION

SPECIFICATIONS: INCHES INCHES POUNDS POUNDS MILLIMETERS KILOGRAMS METRIC TONNES METRIC TONNES
10% .............................. 0.60% 1-5/8 in. 5 in. 63.0 lbs. 170,000 lbs. 40mm 93.7 Kg 69.4 MT 77.1 MT
20% .............................. 0.70% 1-3/4 in. 5-1/2 in. 80.0 lbs. 201,000 lbs. 44mm 119.0 Kg 82.1 MT 91.2 MT
30% .............................. 0.90% 2 in. 6 in. 93.0 lbs. 228,000 lbs. 48mm 138.0 Kg 93.1 MT 103.0 MT
*Spliced strength
Rope Classifications
Understanding Samson's
n's Class I and Class II rope ca
categories
Throughout this catalog, and all of Samson’s literature

and specifications, you will find references to Class I or
Class II ropes. Since these classes of product vary in
fiber composition and constructions, splicing techniques
and testing procedures are different for the two classes
of product. It can be helpful to understand the differences
when selecting a product for a specific application, or
determining the proper splicing technique to use.
It is absolutely critical that the proper splicing technique be
used when splicing Class II ropes. The Samson Splicing
Manual has splicing instructions for both classes in the
most common constructions and a visual reference chart
for identifying products as well as both construction and
class. At 158 pages, we believe it to be the most definitive
reference on splicing synthetic rope available. In addition,
all splicing instructions are available for download from
www.samsonrope.com.
There are several distinctions between the two classes –

CLASS I ROPES:
> are made from traditional synthetic fibers, or non-high modulus
fibers such as olefin (polypropylene or polyethylene) nylon,
polyester, or a combination of these fibers
> not considered a replacement for wire ropes
> have tenacities less than 15 grams/denier (gpd) and a total
stretch at break of 6% or greater
CLASS II ROPES:
> made from high performance fibers such as HMPE (Dyneema®),
Aramid (Technora®), LCP (Vectran®), PBO (ZYLON®) and carbon
fiber either singularly or in combination
> are considered a replacement for wire ropes
> have tenacities greater than 15 grams/denier (gpd) and
a total stretch at break of less than 6%
Product Code: 416 RP-12 SSR-1200
Our best blended rope, a 12-strand braid with the wear resistance and
RP
ROUND
PLAIT
12-STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
strength of an all polyester rope with significantly less handling weight
RP-12 SSR-1200 uses a unique design that combines polyester fiber FEATURES:
with our proprietary Ultra Blue bi-polymer fiber in each yarn of the > High wear resistance on
strand. The lightweight Ultra Blue fiber does not absorb water adding H-bitts and capstans
significant dry and wet working weight advantages.
> Good heat resistance for
RP-12 SSR-1200 has a smooth, non-rotational construction with an rendering on H-bitts or capstans
excellent coefficient of friction for working off H-bitts for tug assist lines > Firm, smooth running flexibility
on conventional tugs or tractor tugs without winch drums. A special
marine finish is added to enhance RP-12 SSR-1200’s performance.
> 15 –18% lighter than 100%
polyester ropes
APPLICATIONS:
> Secondary mooring winch lines
> Tug boat H-bitt working lines
> Barge/dredge working lines
> ATB working lines
POLYESTER/
ULTRA BLUE
FIBER BLEND
12-STRAND
ROUND PLAIT
CONSTRUCTION

SPECIFICATIONS: 3/4 in. 2-1/4 in. 16.0 lbs. 14,400 lbs. 18mm 23.8 Kg 6.5 MT 7.3 MT
Specific Gravity: 1 in. 3 in. 27.0 lbs. 25,200 lbs. 24mm 40.2 Kg 11.4 MT 12.7 MT
10% ..................... 1.46% 1-5/8 in. 5 in. 72.0 lbs. 64,800 lbs. 40mm 107.0 Kg 29.4 MT 32.7 MT
20% ..................... 2.58% 1-3/4 in. 5-1/2 in. 84.0 lbs. 75,600 lbs. 44mm 125.0 Kg 34.3 MT 38.1 MT
30% ..................... 4.04% 2 in. 6 in. 102.0 lbs. 91,800 lbs. 48mm 152.0 Kg 41.6 MT 46.3 MT
Round Plait/Class I Rope 2-5/8 in. 8 in. 176.0 lbs. 158,000 lbs. 64mm 262.0 Kg 71.4 MT 79.4 MT
Round Plait/Class I Rope
*Spliced strength
RPROUND
PLAIT
12-STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
RP-12 Polyester
A durable 12-strand work horse with excellent flex-fatigue life
Product Code: 402
FEATURES: RP-12 Polyester has been a standard of performance for years in the
> Low elastic or working elongation tug and mooring industry. The firm strand and smooth construction of
this product with low elongation/high tenacity polyester fiber create a
> High strength durable work horse that has excellent flex-fatigue life.
> Excellent working flexibility
The round plait construction allows a conforming surface contact.
APPLICATIONS: The all polyester fiber content creates excellent rendering capabilities
while giving positive working control. For installing eye splices,
> Tug H-bitt or winch working lines RP-12 Polyester is easily tuck spliced.
> ATB working lines
> Mooring pendants
> Shock pendants
HEAT RESISTANT
POLYESTER
FIBER
12-STRAND
ROUND PLAIT
CONSTRUCTION

7/8 in. 2-3/4 in. 28.1 lbs. 23,600 lbs. 22mm 41.8 Kg 10.7 MT 11.9 MT 1.38
1-5/16 in. 4 in. 54.9 lbs. 47,100 lbs. 32mm 81.7 Kg 21.4 MT 23.7 MT 10% ................1.7%
1-5/8 in. 5 in. 84.8 lbs. 70,700 lbs. 40mm 126.0 Kg 32.0 MT 35.6 MT 30% ................3.9%
2-1/4 in. 7 in. 160.0 lbs. 136,000 lbs. 56mm 238.0 Kg 61.6 MT 68.5 MT Round Plait/Class I Rope
2-3/4 in. 8-1/2 in. 234.0 lbs. 200,000 lbs. 68mm 348.0 Kg 90.6 MT 101.0 MT Round Plait/Class I Rope
*Spliced strength
Product Code: 333 RP-12 Ultra-Blue
Proprietary bi-polymer olefin in a firm, round 12-strand with more than
RP
ROUND
PLAIT
12-STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
twice the wear life of standard polypropylene
This working or mooring line uses Samson’s round plait FEATURES:

construction to provide better wear characteristics than 8-strand > Floating line
ropes. Our proprietary blue olefin bi-polymer yarn provides
35 – 40% higher strength than a conventional olefin rope. > Flexible non-rotational construction
The Ultra Blue fiber enhances the gripping capability by > Firm strand formation for maximum
developing a distinct outer surface fuzz that acts as a wear wear resistance
protector for the subsurface fibers. > Good UV resistance
APPLICATIONS:
> Floating emergency barge trailer lines
> Mooring lines
> Tug and barge tie-up lines
> Tug stern hawser
PROPRIETARY
ULTRA BLUE
FIBER
12-STRAND
ROUND PLAIT
CONSTRUCTION

SPECIFICATIONS:
Specific Gravity: 3/4 in. 2-1/4 in. 12.5 lbs. 12,200 lbs. 18mm 18.6 Kg 5.5 MT 6.1 MT
.94 (floats) 7/8 in. 2-3/4 in. 17.0 lbs. 18,000 lbs. 22mm 25.3 Kg 8.2 MT 9.1 MT
Elastic Elongation Percentage: 1 in. 3 in. 23.3 lbs. 22,500 lbs. 24mm 34.7 Kg 10.2 MT 11.3 MT
20% ..................... 2.27% 1-1/2 in. 4-1/2 in. 44.0 lbs. 42,300 lbs. 36mm 65.5 Kg 19.2 MT 21.3 MT
Splicing Procedures Required: 2 in. 6 in. 74.0 lbs. 76,500 lbs. 48mm 110.0 Kg 34.7 MT 38.6 MT
Round Plait/Class I Rope 2-1/4 in. 7 in. 101.0 lbs. 99,000 lbs. 56mm 150.0 Kg 44.9 MT 49.9 MT
Round Plait/Class I Rope
2-3/4 in. 8 1/2 in. 148.0 lbs. 141,000 lbs. 68mm 220.0 Kg 64.1 MT 71.2 MT
*Spliced strength
DB
DOUBLE
BRAID
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
Stable Braid
A time proven, tough 100% polyester double braid with
Product Code: 506 (Uncoated); 806 (Samthane Coated)
excellent controlled working elongation
FEATURES: Samson Parallay construction orients all fibers to the axis of the rope
> High wear and heat resistance for maximum strength and wear resistance. The braided core and
cover both contribute to the strength and firm hand, while remaining
> Excellent flex-fatigue service life fully spliceable. This product works very well on winch drums or has
> Firm flexibility the non-rotational flexibility to be faked on deck for deep anchor
> Low working elongation deployment. It has shown its durability and stowage flexibility on
> Sizes above 5/8" have a traction winch towing applications utilizing below deck rope lockers.
Pro-Gard marine finish and Stable Braid is a time proven, tough rope with excellent controlled
conform to U.S. Military working elongation.
specification #MIL-DTL-24677
APPLICATIONS:
> Traction winch tow lines
> Constant tension winch mooring lines
> Secondary mooring lines
> Deep water anchoring or lifting lines
HIGH STRENGTH
POLYESTER
FIBER
DOUBLE BRAID
PARALLAY
CONSTRUCTION

1/4 in. 3/4 in. 2.1 lbs. 2,000 lbs. 6mm 3.1 Kg 0.89 MT 0.99 MT SPECIFICATIONS:
Specific Gravity:
1.38
1/2 in. 1-1/2 in. 8.2 lbs. 8,800 lbs. 12mm 12.2 Kg 4.0 MT 4.5 MT Elastic Elongation Percentage:
9/16 in. 1-3/4 in. 11.0 lbs. 11,300 lbs. 14mm 16.4 Kg 5.1 MT 5.7 MT At % of break strength
5/8 in. 2 in. 14.0 lbs. 13,900 lbs. 16mm 20.8 Kg 6.3 MT 7.0 MT 10% ....................1.1%
3/4 in. 2-1/4 in. 18.0 lbs. 17,300 lbs. 18mm 26.8 Kg 7.9 MT 8.7 MT 20% ................... 1.7%
30% ................... 2.7%
1-5/16 in. 4 in. 60.8 lbs. 55,000 lbs. 32mm 90.5 Kg 24.9 MT 27.7 MT Double Braid/Class I Rope
1-3/4 in. 5-1/2 in. 104.0 lbs. 88,400 lbs. 44mm 155.0 Kg 40.1 MT 44.6 MT Double Braid/Class I Rope
4-5/8 in. 14 in. 689.0 lbs. 524,000 lbs. 112mm 1,025.0 Kg 238.0 MT 264.0 MT
5 in. 15 in. 788.0 lbs. 593,000 lbs. 120mm 1,173.0 Kg 269.0 MT 299.0 MT
*Spliced strength
Product Code: 472
Double braided nylon rope with high strength, high stretch and shock mitigation
Super Strong DB
DOUBLE
BRAID
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
Samson Parallay construction orients all fibers to the axis of the FEATURES:
rope for maximum strength and wear resistance. The braided core > High energy absorption/shock
and cover both contribute to the strength and firm hand, while mitigation
remaining fully spliceable. This product works very well on capstans
> Excellent wear resistance
or has the non-rotational flexibility to be flaked on deck for deep
buoy anchor deployment. It has shown its durability and stowage > Highly flexible – easy to handle
flexibility on traction winch towing applications utilizing below deck > High strength to weight ratio
rope lockers. > Certain sizes meet U.S. Military
Super Strong has a long history of reliable performance that has specifications MIL-DTL-24050E
met the strength and energy absorption requirements for diverse
dynamic applications in the commercial marine industry. APPLICATIONS:
> Mooring lines
> Tow lines
> Deep water buoy anchor lines
> Towed array stretcher
HIGH STRENGTH
NYLON FIBER
DOUBLE BRAID
PARALLAY
CONSTRUCTION

SPECIFICATIONS: 1/4 in. 3/4 in. 1.6 lbs. 2,000 lbs. 6mm 2.4 Kg 0.89 MT 0.99 MT
Specific Gravity:
1.14 7/16 in. 1-1/4 in. 5.1 lbs. 5,600 lbs. 11mm 7.6 Kg 2.5 MT 2.8 MT
Elastic Elongation Percentage: 1/2 in. 1-1/2 in. 6.6 lbs. 7,300 lbs. 12mm 9.8 Kg 3.3 MT 3.7 MT
10% ....................3.0% 7/8 in. 2-3/4 in. 22.0 lbs. 24,700 lbs. 22mm 32.7 Kg 11.2 MT 12.4 MT
20% ....................5.3% 1 in. 3 in. 26.0 lbs. 30,600 lbs. 24mm 38.7 Kg 13.9 MT 15.4 MT
30% ................... 6.7% 1-1/8 in. 3-1/2 in. 36.0 lbs. 38,300 lbs. 28mm 53.6 Kg 17.4 MT 19.3 MT
Double Braid/Class I Rope 1-5/8 in. 5 in. 74.0 lbs. 78,200 lbs. 40mm 110.0 Kg 35.5 MT 39.4 MT
Double Braid/Class I Rope
*Spliced strength
8
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
SSR-1200-8
A blended 8-strand with the wear resistance and strength of a
Product Code: 263
100% polyester rope, but with significantly less handling weight
SSR-1200-8 is a non-rotational rope FEATURES: APPLICATIONS:

with an excellent coefficient of friction for > 20% less weight than an all > Secondary mooring lines
working off H-bitts for tug assist lines on polyester construction
conventional tugs or tractor tugs without > Tug assist lines for use on
> Good strength with low H-bitts and winches
winch drums. To minimize connection working elongation
weight to the assisted ship, many operators > Barge tie-up lines
use AmSteel®-Blue connection pendants for > Non-rotational – non-hockling > Mooring pendants
their lightweight and high wear resistance. > Excellent wear and flexibility
Size Size Weight SRT Size Weight SRT ISO/BS EN919 SPECIFICATIONS:
INCHES INCHES POUNDS POUNDS MILLIMETERS KILOGRAMS METRIC TONNES METRIC TONNES Specific Gravity:
1-5/8 in. 5 in. 68.0 lbs. 61,200 lbs. 40mm 101.0 Kg 27.8 MT 30.8 MT 1.20
2 in. 6 in. 99.0 lbs. 89,100 lbs. 48mm 147.0 Kg 40.4 MT 44.9 MT Elastic Elongation Percentage:
2-1/4 in. 7 in. 129.0 lbs. 113,000 lbs. 56mm 192.0 Kg 51.4 MT 57.2 MT 10%....................1.4%
20%....................2.8%
3 in. 9 in. 221.0 lbs. 191,000 lbs. 72mm 328.0 Kg 86.5 MT 96.2 MT 30%....................3.4%
> EYE SPLICE
8-Strand/Class I Rope
*Spliced strength
3
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
SSR-1200-3 Product Code: 220
A blended 3-strand rope with the wear resistance and strength of a

100% polyester rope, but with significantly less handling weight
SSR-1200-3 will provide lower operating costs FEATURES: APPLICATIONS:

by providing longer service life than conventional > Comparable strength and > Barge/dredge working lines
blended fiber ropes. This is accomplished through a wear of an all polyester rope
unique plied yarn construction using a combination > Tug assist lines
of polyester fiber and our proprietary Ultra Blue
> 20% less weight than an all
> Tie-up lines
polyester rope
bi-polymer fiber in each yarn of the strand > Deck/handy lines
formation. The combination minimizes the amount > Low working elongation
of polyester fiber and relies on the lightweight, > Excellent grip on H-bitts
non-water absorbing features of the Ultra Blue fiber.

SPECIFICATIONS:
7/8 in. 2-3/4 in. 20.6 lbs. 18,800 lbs. 22mm 30.7 Kg 8.5 MT 9.5 MT 1.20
1-5/16 in. 4 in. 43.3 lbs. 38,700 lbs. 32mm 64.4 Kg 17.6 MT 19.5 MT 10% ...................1.5%
1-1/2 in. 4-1/2 in. 56.2 lbs. 48,600 lbs. 36mm 83.6 Kg 22.0 MT 24.5 MT 20% ...................3.2%
30% ...................4.0%
3 in. 9 in. 221.0 lbs. 182,000 lbs. 72mm 328.0 Kg 82.5 MT 91.6 MT 3-Strand/Class I Rope
*Spliced strength
Product Code: 252 Ultra Blue-8
Higher strength and more than double the wear life of
8
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
standard 8-strand polypropylene
The Ultra Blue fiber enhances grip by FEATURES: APPLICATIONS:

developing a distinct outer surface fuzz > Superior strength to standard 8-strand > Secondary mooring lines
that acts as a wear protector for the sub- polypropylene ropes
surface fibers. Ultra Blue fiber also has > Barge/dredge working line
better UV properties than conventional
> Over twice the wear life of standard > Trailer tow lines
8-strand polypropylene ropes
olefin fibers. > Messenger and pick-up lines
> Floating non-rotational flexible construction
> Excellent flex wear resistance
SPECIFICATIONS:
20% ...................3.5%
> EYE SPLICE
3-1/8 in. 9-1/2 in. 188.0 lbs. 176,000 lbs. 76mm 280.0 Kg 80.0 MT 88.9 MT > END FOR END SPLICE
3-1/4 in. 10 in. 208.0 lbs. 194,000 lbs. 80mm 310.0 Kg 88.2 MT 98.0 MT 8-Strand/Class I Rope
*Spliced strength
Product Code: 130 Ultra Blue-3

Higher strength, better grip, and longer service life
3
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
The Ultra Blue fiber enhances the gripping FEATURES: APPLICATIONS:

capability by developing a distinct initial outer
> Floating high strength > Tie-up lines
surface fuzz that also acts as a wear protector bi-polymer rope
for the subsurface fibers. Its strength and wear > Floating trailer tow lines
features allow downsizing to reduce handling > Over twice the wear life of > General deck and handy lines
weight and improve efficiency. Potential rope
polypropylene
related injuries during rope deployment or > Superior UV resistance to
retrieval are minimized. polypropylene

SPECIFICATIONS:
1 in. 3 in. 18.6 lbs. 20,300 lbs. 24mm 27.7 Kg 9.2 MT 10.3 MT Specific Gravity:
2 in. 6 in. 73.2 lbs. 70,200 lbs. 48mm 109.0 Kg 31.8 MT 35.4 MT 30% ...................6.8%
2-1/8 in. 6-/12 in. 86.6 lbs. 76,500 lbs. 52mm 129.0 Kg 34.7 MT 38.6 MT
> EYE SPLICE
2-5/8 in. 8 in. 131.0 lbs. 120,000 lbs. 64mm 195.0 Kg 54.3 MT 60.3 MT 3-Strand/Class I Rope
*Spliced strength
Manufactured in 1/4-inch diameter up to 3-1/4" diameter.
8
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
Pro-Set-8
100% nylon 8-strand, with full life flexibility for ease of
Product Code: 256
handling and splicing, and excellent shock mitigation
Pro-Set-8 uses only quality 100% FEATURES: APPLICATIONS:

nylon fibers that insure proper twist and
> High energy absorption > Tow/shock lines
lay tension. The finished four-stage
construction maximizes resistance to > Superior long term wet wear > Mooring lines
wear and minimizes snagging during > Non-rotational balanced construction > SPM lines
its service life. > Emergency tow lines

SPECIFICATIONS:
Specific Gravity:
2-1/8 in. 6-1/2 in. 114.0 lbs. 98,100 lbs. 52mm 169.0 Kg 44.5 MT 49.4 MT 1.14
10% .................. 5.0%
20% ................ 10.2%
3-1/4 in. 10 in. 275.0 lbs. 232,000 lbs. 80mm 409.0 Kg 105.0 MT 117.0 MT 30% ................ 12.0%
4 in. 12 in. 396.0 lbs. 329,000 lbs. 96mm 589.0 Kg 149.0 MT 166.0 MT > EYE SPLICE
5-1/4 in. 16 in. 703.0 lbs. 581,000 lbs. 128mm 1,046.0 Kg 263.0 MT 293.0 MT 8-Strand/Class I Rope
5-1/2 in. 17 in. 797.0 lbs. 628,000 lbs. 136mm 1,186.0 Kg 285.0 MT 317.0 MT
6 in. 18 in. 896.0 lbs. 718,000 lbs. 144mm 1,330.0 Kg 326.0 MT 362.0 MT
*Spliced strength
3
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
Pro-Set-3
A premium four-stage 100% nylon rope
Product Code: 170
100% nylon fiber marine ropes which FEATURES: APPLICATIONS:

do not use substandard components > Good UV and wet abrasion resistance > Tie-up and mooring lines
provide longer service life with certified
> High elasticity with excellent > Shock and tow lines
strength. Pro-Set-3 is a four-stage rope
shock mitigation
that allows full life flexibility for ease of > Anchor lines
handling and splicing. > Balanced construction resists hockling
> Deck lines
> Smooth, consistent strand formation
for maximum wear life
1 in. 3 in. 26.0 lbs. 22,500 lbs. 24mm 38.7 Kg 10.2 MT 11.3 MT SPECIFICATIONS:
1.14
10% ........ 5.5%
2 in. 6 in. 95.0 lbs. 80,100 lbs. 48mm 141.0 Kg 36.3 MT 40.4 MT 20% ........ 10.0%
2-1/8 in. 6-1/2 in. 109.0 lbs. 90,900 lbs. 52mm 162.0 Kg 41.2 MT 45.8 MT 30% ........ 12.1%
2-3/4 in. 8-1/2 in. 189.0 lbs. 156,000 lbs. 68mm 281.0 Kg 70.6 MT 78.5 MT 3-Strand/Class I Rope
*Spliced strength
Product Code: 226
A blended polyester/Ultra Blue working line for superior wear resistance

SSR-301R 3
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
The ultimate lockline specifically designed to FEATURES: APPLICATIONS:

virtually eliminate slipstick when checking barges. > Barge and dredge working lines
> Most cost effective
The 3-strand rope construction is a high strength,
lockline available > Locklines and working ropes
lightweight and controlled smooth checking line
that has double the wear life of standard lockline > Gives long-term, smooth,
ropes. This is accomplished by our unique fiber and consistent checking
internal Resistex lubricant. The core fiber of each > Low working elongation
strand is 35% stronger than standard polypropylene for control
fiber. The core fiber of each strand then has our > Excellent flex and wear
internally-produced outer cover of high-tenacity resistance
filament polyester blended with spun polyester. SPECIFICATIONS:
The outer cover of polyester allows for excellent
Specific Gravity:
wear and heat resistance. The Resistex lubricant
1.14
constantly lubricates the outer surface fibers when
working loads are applied. This constant migration of Elastic Elongation Percentage:
Resistex to the surface yarns maximizes rope wear At % of break strength
life, allows consistent checking ability, and minimizes 10% ................... 2.1%
heat build-up during checking. 20% ................... 3.5%
30% ................... 4.0%
Size Size Weight SRT Size Weight SRT ISO/BS EN919 Splicing Procedures Required:
INCHES INCHES POUNDS POUNDS MILLIMETERS KILOGRAMS METRIC TONNES METRIC TONNES > EYE SPLICE
1-1/2 in. 4-1/2 in. 46.9 lbs. 39,000 lbs. 36mm 69.8 Kg 17.7 MT 19.6 MT 3-Strand/Class I Rope
2 in. 6 in. 78.4 lbs. 64,000 lbs. 48mm 117 .0 Kg 29.0 MT 32.3 MT
*Spliced strength
Product Code: 258 Premium Polyester-8

Suitable for deep water lifting projects, towing, or general
8
STRAND
CONSTRUCTION
Class I
marine applications that require a non-floating rope
A four-stage, 8-strand, plaited FEATURES: APPLICATIONS:

construction made from high-tenacity > Excellent strength > Trawl and bridle lines
polyester. This non-torque construction
> Low stretch > Purse seine lines
offers excellent strength, low stretch,
and superior resistance to wear. This > Superior resistance > Secondary mooring lines
product has a Pro-Gard marine finish. to wear > Mooring line pendants
> Non-HMPE tug lines
> Tug shock/stretcher pendants
1-5/8 in. 5 in. 84.5 lbs. 66,600 lbs. 40mm 126.0 Kg 30.2 MT 33.6 MT Specific Gravity:
1-3/4 in. 5-1/2 in. 101.0 lbs. 79,700 lbs. 44mm 150.0 Kg 36.1 MT 40.1 MT 1.38
2-1/2 in. 7-1/2 in. 187.0 lbs. 142,000 lbs. 60mm 278.0 Kg 64.5 MT 71.7 MT 10% ................... 3.0%
2-5/8 in. 8 in. 210.0 lbs. 160,000 lbs. 64mm 313.0 Kg 72.7 MT 80.7 MT 20% ................... 5.0%
2-3/4 in. 8-1/2 in. 237.0 lbs. 178,000 lbs. 68mm 353.0 Kg 80.8 MT 89.8 MT 30% ................... 7.7%
*Spliced strength > END FOR END SPLICE
REF
REFERENCE
Coatings
Samthane Coatings
A family of abrasion resistant coatings specifically formulated to
match end-user requirements and specific rope constructions
ADVANTAGES: Samthane (Type A)

> Improved service life Samthane (Type A) is a spliceable coating used on polyester and
> Reduced snagging nylon fiber ropes which greatly enhances abrasion resistance. It also
> Enhanced abrasion resistance makes splicing used rope much easier. Available in a variety of colors
> Protection from contamination for easy identification; tracks time in service, keys colors to specific
operations, etc. Splicing new and used rope is easily done by utilizing
> Reduced cutting damage
the same tools and techniques for splicing uncoated rope. Coating
> Color coding for identification adds approximately 3% to 5% weight to the line.
Samthane (Type F)
Samthane (Type F) is a spliceable coating specially formulated for
coating high modulus fibers and olefin/polyester blend ropes. Physical
properties are the same as for Type A coating. Coating adds
approximately 3% to 5% weight to the line.
Samthane (Type C)
Samthane (Type C) is a non-spliceable jacket coating usually
applied to specific sections of a line which will be subjected to extreme
abrasion. The coating is very tough, with excellent resistance to
cutting. It is usually applied to a thickness of 1/8" or more, which has
a stiffening effect on the rope. This coating is applied to pre-spliced
ropes and may also be used for thimble encapsulation.
Samthane (Type S)
Samthane (Type S) is a spliceable coating used on high modulus
fiber and polyester fiber ropes. This coating adds firmness and greatly
improves wear life. The coating will add approximately 3% to 5%
weight to the rope.
SAMTHANE COATING DESCRIPTIONS

Properties Type A Type F Type C Type S
Spiceability Yes Yes No Yes
Shore Hardness N.A. N.A. 80A – 90A N.A.
Break Strength 400 psi 400 psi 4,100 psi 5,500 psi
Elongation at Break 440% 440% 450% 250%
100% Modulus 70 psi 70 psi 1,000 psi 3,150 psi
Type Waterborne Waterborne 2-part Waterborne
Polyurethane Polyurethane Polyurethane Polyurethane
Rope Splicing
Samson provides the most comprehensive splice instructions in the industry
REF
REFERENCE
Splicing
Fids are utilized to perform the appropriate splice procedure based

on the class and type of construction.
The fids are used in making required measurements and in burying the rope during the splicing operation.
Each diameter of rope has a matching fid size and to insure that the required measurements are made correctly,
the proper sized fid for the rope size must be used in performing a splice. There are two styles of fids offered:
Aluminum Tubular Fids and Wire Fids. The Aluminum Tubular Fids are used by inserting the end rope section
into the fid while the Wire Fids are attached to the end of the rope section. Tubular Fids are pushed through
the rope with an appropriate sized pusher where Wire Fids are either fed through the rope or pulled
through by attaching a feed line.
Tubular Fid and Pusher Wire Fid
Product Total Short Fid

Code Fid Size/Rope Dia. Fid Length Section Length
905 1-1/8 in. 12-1/4 in. 3 in.
Product Dimensions Total Short Fid Product
Code Fid Size/Rope Dia. Fid Length Section Length Pusher Code 905 1-1/4 in. 13-1/4 in. 3-1/4 in.
901 1/4 in. 5-1/2 in. 2-1/16 in. Small 913 905 1-5/16 in. 14 in. 3-1/2 in.
901 5/16 in. 6-3/4 in. 2-1/2 in. Small 913 905 1-1/2 in. 16 in. 4 in.
901 3/8 in. 7-3/4 in. 2-7/8 in. Small 913 905 1-5/8 in. 17-1/2 in. 4-1/2 in.
901 7/16 in. 9-1/2 in. 3-9/16 in. Small 913 905 1-3/4 in. 19 in. 4-3/4 in.
901 1/2 in. 11 in. 4-1/8 in. Small 913 905 2 in. 21 in. 5-1/4 in.
901 9/16 in. 12-1/4 in. 3-5/8 in. Large 914 905 2-1/8 in. 23 in. 5-3/4 in.
901 5/8 in. 14 in. 4-1/8 in. Large 914 905 2-1/4 in. 25 in. 6 in.
901 3/4 in. 16 in. 4-3/4 in. Large 914 905 2-1/2 in. 26 in. 6-1/2 in.
901 7/8 in. 19 in. 4-3/4 in. Large 914 905 2-5/8 in. 28 in. 7 in.
901 1 in. 21 in. 5-1/4 in. Large 914 905 2-3/4 in. 30 in. 7-1/2 in. *Dimensions
905 3 in. 32 in. 8 in. and Lengths are
905 3-1/4 in. 35 in. 8-3/4 in. to 1/2 scale
Short Section
of fid
Total Length
Short Section
SPLICING INSTRUCTIONS:
The most current and up-to-date splicing instructions
for products listed in the catalog are available online at:
www.samsonrope.com.
Splicing Kits:
As depicted in the catalog, our rope constructions are stated The Samson Splice Training Kit
comes complete with a fid,
as Class I and Class II ropes (see glossary of terms) and pusher, instructions for a
each type of rope class requires unique splicing procedures. double braid eye splice
For decades Samson has been known for supplying the most and two lengths of
double braided ropes.
comprehensive splice instructions in the industry. Our new
manual is no exception. Get your own copy today.
Splicing Manual:
Call customer service
(360.384.4669) to order The Samson Splicing Kit comes with
your copy or available 5 aluminum tubular fids (size range
for download at 1/4" through 1/2" diameter)
www.samsonrope.com.
HW
HARDWARE
Thimbles
Rope Hardware
Nylite Product Code: 964
Spools, shields and shackle assembly WORKING DETAILS:

Unlike conventional thimbles the Nylite connector > Working Load in tons (2000 lbs.)
assembly is easily installed into or removed from a > Working loads, as given, are based
pre-made soft eye. Only 1/7th the weight of metal on pin/bore relationship provided by
thimbles, Nylite connectors will not deform or rupture use of Nylite Shackle. When using a
from repeated loadings. The Nylite shackle was non-standard pin, the Working Load
as given DOES NOT APPLY.
designed to take full advantage of the high strength
> When using with Class II ropes, upsize
of the Nylite connector and synthetic rope. to ensure working load compatibility.
Size Size Samson Minimum Working Load Weight Each Sheild

Size Diameter Circumfrence. Eye Size TONS POUNDS Color
-1 3/8 – 1/2 in. 1-1/8 – 1-1/2 in. 2-3/16 in. 1.1 tn 0.5 lbs. Blue
*The Nylite Spool and Shield in sizes
-2 9/16 – 5/8 in. 1-3/4 – 2 in. 2-3/4 in. 1.6 tn 1.0 lbs. Red
1–5 may be purchased without a shackle
(part # 969). Minimum order quantities -3 3/4 – 13/16 in. 2-1/4 – 2-1/2 in. 3-3/4 in. 2.5 tn 1.6 lbs. Green
apply, see net price list for details. -4 7/8 – 1-1/16 in. 2-3/4 – 3-1/4 in. 4-7/8 in. 4.5 tn 3.7 lbs. Orange
-5 1-1/8 – 1-5/16 in. 3-1/2 – 4 in. 6-1/8 in. 7.5 tn 6.0 lbs. Black
*The Nylite Shackle sizes 1–9 may be
-6 1-1/2 – 1-3/4 in. 4-1/2 – 5-1/2 in. 7-5/8 in. 12.5 tn 19.0 lbs. Yellow
purchased separately (part # 961).
-7 2 – 2-1/4 in. 6 – 7 in. 9-3/4 in. 20.0 tn 24.0 lbs. Black
-8 2-1/2 – 2-5/8 in. 7-1/2 – 8 in. 11-1/4 in. 25.0 tn 33.0 lbs. Black
-9 2-3/4 – 3-1/4 in. 8-1/2 – 10 in. 14 in. 35.0 tn 56.0 lbs. Black
E
D Size Spool Spool Pin*
SHACKLE Inside Diameter Outside Diameter DIA. A B C D E F G
-1 .46 in. 1.50 in. .44 in. .88 in. 1.08 in. 1.11 in. 2.41 in. .38 in. 1.99 in. 2.34 in.
SHEILD
A B -2 .58 in. 1.75 in. .56 in. 1.13 in. 1.21 in. 1.38 in. 3.11 in. .50 in. 2.38 in. 2.88 in.
-3 .64 in. 2.25 in. .63 in. 1.38 in. 1.61 in. 1.77 in. 3.54 in. .56 in. 3.02 in. 3.70 in.
SPOOL -4 .89 in. 3.00 in. .88 in. 1.75 in. 1.9 in. 2.29 in. 4.70 in. .75 in. 3.79 in. 4.71 in.
F
C -5 1.02 in. 3.75 in. 1.00 in. 2.13 in. 2.15 in. 2.85 in. 5.55 in. .88 in. 4.85 in. 5.95 in.
PATENT PENDING -6 1.54 in. 5.00 in. 1.50 in. 2.63 in. 3.14 in. 3.80 in. 7.75 in. 1.37 in. 6.30 in. 7.85 in.
-7 1.75 in. 6.25 in. 1.63 in. 3.25 in. 3.75 in. 4.80 in. 8.90 in. 1.50 in. 7.93 in. 9.89 in.
-8 2.00 in. 7.25 in. 1.75 in. 3.75 in. 4.13 in. 5.61 in. 10.13 in. 1.75 in. 9.24 in. 11.47 in.
SLEEVE G -9 2.25 in. 9.00 in. 2.00 in. 4.63 in. 5.06 in. 6.95 in. 12.15 in. 2.00 in. 11.45 in. 14.28 in.
ROPE
*Sizes 1 – 5 are supplied with jam nuts and cotter pins. Larger sizes have cotter pins and standard nuts.
C E
D
Blue Line Thimble Product Code: 930

F
The Blue Line Thimble is compatible for use with Samson’s
high performance – high modulus synthetic fiber rope B
products such as AmSteel®- Blue, Force-8, and DPX®- 75.
The tubular gusseted design creates a high strength thimble
*Stainless steel that protects the rope and maintains a proper bending radius
thimble also
when connected to mating hardware.
available. A
Size Range Thimble A B C D E F Size Range Thimble A B C D E F

Diameter Weight Diamter Weight
INCHES POUNDS INCHES INCHES INCHES INCHES INCHES INCHES MILLIMETERS KILOGRAMS mm mm mm mm mm mm
3/8 – 7/16 in. 0.8 lbs. 0.47 in. 3.31 in. 0.91 in. 0.16 in. 0.31 in. 0.94 in. 9 – 11mm 0.36 Kg 12mm 84mm 23mm 4.0mm 8.0mm 24mm
1/2 in. 1.1 lbs. 0.59 in. 3.74 in. 1.06 in. 0.20 in. 0.39 in. 1.22 in. 12mm 0.52 Kg 15mm 95mm 27mm 5.0mm 10mm 31mm
13/16 – 7/8 in. 2.8 lbs. 0.98 in. 5.91 in. 1.77 in. 0.25 in. 0.63 in. 2.40 in. 20 – 22mm 1.26 Kg 25mm 150mm 45mm 6.3mm 16mm 61mm
1 in. 3.6 lbs. 1.10 in. 6.18 in. 1.77 in. 0.28 in. 0.63 in. 2.20 in. 24mm 1.64 Kg 28mm 157mm 45mm 7.0mm 16mm 56mm
1-1/16 in. 4.5 lbs. 1.18 in. 6.69 in. 1.85 in. 0.28 in. 0.71 in. 2.68 in. 26mm 2.02 Kg 30mm 170mm 47mm 7.0mm 18mm 68mm
1-1/8 – 1-5/16 in. 5.8 lbs. 1.38 in. 7.48 in. 2.36 in. 0.28 in. 0.87 in. 2.87 in. 28 – 32mm 2.61 Kg 35mm 190mm 60mm 7.0mm 22mm 73mm
1-3/4 – 2 in. 10.8 lbs. 2.17 in. 10.55 in. 3.15 in. 0.30 in. 1.22 in. 3.90 in. 44 – 48mm 4.90 Kg 55mm 268mm 80mm 7.5mm 31mm 99mm
Rope Hardware HW HARDWARE
Thimbles
Product Code: 933 Heavy Duty Hawser Thimble

The cast steel Heavy Duty Hawser Thimble is designed for use with wire rope or high
performance synthetic fiber ropes such as AmSteel®-Blue, Force-8, and DPX®-75.
The galvanized thimble provides smooth even grooves, maximum strengths at critical
areas, and proper bending radius for the rope. When used with synthetic ropes,
thimble eye should be lashed at approximately 2, 4, 8, and 10 o’clock on the thimble
circumference to secure the thimble to the rope when not in service.
Lashed Thimble
Size Range Thimble A B C D E F Size Range

Diameter Weight Diameter
INCHES POUNDS INCHES INCHES INCHES INCHES INCHES INCHES MILLIMETERS
5/8 – 3/4 in. 3.5 lbs. 6.88 4.50 5.00 3.00 1.19 0.41 16 – 18mm
7/8 – 1 in. 6.0 lbs. 8.63 5.75 6.25 3.75 1.44 0.53 22 – 24mm
1-1/8 – 1-1/4 in. 9.5 lbs. 10.13 6.75 7.25 4.25 1.69 0.66 28 – 30mm
1-3/8 – 1-1/2 in. 18.5 lbs. 12.13 8.00 8.75 5.00 2.19 0.78 34 – 36mm
1-5/8 – 1-3/4 in. 24.0 lbs. 12.75 8.00 9.25 5.00 2.44 0.94 40 – 44mm
1-7/8 – 2 in. 33.5 lbs. 14.75 9.50 10.75 6.00 2.69 1.06 46 – 48mm
2-1/8 – 2-1/4 in. 53.5 lbs. 17.13 11.00 12.50 7.00 3.13 1.19 52 – 56mm
2-3/8 – 2-1/2 in. 81.5 lbs. 19.25 12.75 14.25 8.25 3.88 1.38 58 – 60mm
2-3/4 – 3 in. 136.5 lbs. 24.50 15.00 17.00 9.38 4.94 1.63 68 – 72mm
ORKOT® Thimble Product Code: 963

®
The Orkot Thimble is a simple, effective and secure
means of attaching synthetic ropes to wire ropes by
means of a shackle. Products made from Orkot® Marine
composite materials have exceptional wear resistance
and virtually no swell in water, providing dimensional
stability. They offer tolerance to edge loading and
mis-alignment even with the heaviest loads, and are
particularly suited to freeze fitting without the danger
of shattering. Orkot® TLM Marine is the standard grade
of material incorporating a woven fabric reinforcement
and solid lubricants within a thermosetting resin matrix.
The material can be used in conjunction with water and
grease lubrication and can be run dry for limited periods.
ROPE ORKOT BUSHINGS SHACKLE

Size Range Size Maximum Working Load
DIAMETER CIRCUMFRENCE Size Pin Diameter Jaw Winch Limit*
INCHES INCHES Stock # INCHES INCHES INCHES TONS
7/8 in. 2-3/4 in. SSB–6 7/8 in. 1 in. 1.44 in. 6.5 tn
1 in. 3 in. SSB–8 1 in. 1-1/8 in. 1.69 in. 8.5 tn
1-1/8 in. 3-1/2 in. SSB–9 1-1/8 in. 1-1/4 in. 1.81 in 9.5 tn
1-1/4 in. 3-3/4 in. SSB–12 1-1/4 in. 1-3/8 in. 2.03 in. 12.0 tn
1-3/4 in. 5-1/2 in. SSB–25 1-3/4 in. 2 in. 2.88 in 25.0 tn
2-1/2 in. 7-1/2 in. SSB–55 2-1/2 in. 2-3/4 in. 4.13 in 55.0 tn
*Working Load Limit: The working load limit included the combination af all applied loads, static and dynamic, based on normal service.
www.samsonrope.com The WLL does not represent the loss of strength in the bushing or rope due to creep and other mechanical, chemical and environmental factors.
47
REF
REFERENCE
Fiber Data
Fiber Characteristics
FIBER STRENGTH COMPARISON OF FIBER CHARACTERISTICS
RETENTION AFTER (using nylon as a basis of 1.0)
CHEMICAL IMMERSION
GENERIC FIBER TYPE NYLON POLYESTER POLYPROPYLENE HMPE LCP ARAMID PBO
(Dyneema® strength retention
after 6-months immersion) Tenacity (g/den)1 7.5 – 10.5 7 – 10 6.5 32 (SK-60) 23 – 26 28 42
40 (SK-75)
AGENT HMPE Elongation2 15 – 28% 12 – 18% 18 – 22% 3.6% 3.3% 4.6% 2.5%
Sea Water 100%
Coefficient of .12 – .15 .12 - .15 .15 - .22 .05 – .07 .12 – .15 .12 – .15 .18
Hydraulic Fluid 100% Friction3
Kerosene 100%
Melting Point 425°– 480°– 330° F 300° F 625° F 930° F* 1200° F*
Gasoline 100% 490° F 500° F
Glacial Acetic Acid 100%
Critical 325° F 350° F 250° F 150° F 300° F 520° F 750° F
1 M Hydrochloric Acid 100% Temperature4
5 M Sodium Hydroxide 100%
Specific Gravity 1.14 1.38 .91 .98 1.40 1.39 1.56
Ammonium Hydroxide (29%) 100%
Hypophosphite Solution (5%) 100% Cold-Flow (Creep)5 Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible
In Mooring Line Use to high to high
Perchloroethylene 100%
10% Detergent Solution 100%
* Char temperature – does not melt
Bleach 91%
1 TENACITY is the measurement of the resistance of fiber to breaking.
2 ELONGATION refers to percent elongation of fiber at break.
3 COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION is based on reluctance to slip or slide.
4 CRITICAL TEMPERATURE is defined as the point at which degradation is caused
by temperature alone.
5 COLD FLOW (CREEP) is defined as fiber deformation (elongation) due to molecular slippage under a
constant static loading situation. Fibers that have this inherent characteristic will display extremely low or
negligible creep if minor fluctuations occur in the rate and/or frequency of load levels. In rope form, this would
apply to polypropylene, polyethylene and HMPE fibers such as Spectra® and Dyneema® fiber.
ROPE CONSTRUCTION
3-Strand Both Class I and Class II ropes can be produced
in various rope constructions such as: 3-strand,
8-strand, 8x3-strand, 12-strand, double braids,
or core-dependent braids.
8-Strand All Samson ropes are categorized for splicing and

testing purposes as a Class I or Class II
construction.
Class I ropes are produced with non high modulus

12-Strand
fibers that impart the strength and stretch char-
acteristics to the rope which have tenacities of 15
grams/denier (gpd) or less and a total stretch at
break of 6% or greater.
Double Braid
Class I Ropes are produced with traditional fibers
such as: Olefin (Polypropylene or Polyethylene),
Nylon, and Polyester.
8x3-Strand Class II ropes are produced with high modulus fibers
that impart the strength and stretch characteristics
to the rope which have tenacities greater than 15
grams/denier (gpd) and a total stretch at break of
Round Plait less than 6%. Typical Class II ropes are produced
with: HMPE (Dyneema® or Spectra®), Aramid
(Technora® or Kevlar®), LCP (Vectran®),
PBO (Zylon®), and Carbon fibers.
Core-Dependent
Elastic Elongation REF
REFERENCE
Stretch
ELONGATION (STRETCH)
ELASTIC ELONGATION (E.E): Refers to the portion of stretch or extension of a rope that is immediately recoverable after
the load on the rope is released. This recoverable tendency is a primary result of the fiber (or fibers) used as opposed
to the rope construction. Each type of synthetic fiber inherently displays a unique degree of elasticity. Relatively,
HMPE fiber has an extremely low elasticity compared to nylon fiber.
HYSTERESIS: Refers to a recoverable portion of stretch or extension over a period of time after a load is released. In
measuring elastic recovery it is the recovery that occurs immediately when a load is removed; thereafter, a remaining
small percentage of elastic recovery will occur slowly and gradually over a period of hours or days. This retardation in
recovery is measured on a length/time scale and is known as hysteresis or recovery over time.
PERMANENT EXTENSION (P.E.) WHILE WORKING: The amount of extension which exists when stress is removed but
no time is given for hysteresis recovery. It includes the non-recoverable and hysteresis extension as one value and
represents any increase in the length of a rope in a constant working situation such as during repeated surges in
towing or other similar cyclical operations.
The percentage of P.E. over the working load range is generally in order of four or six percent for braided ropes and
two to three times as much for plaited. However, it will vary slightly with different fibers and rope constructions.
Allowances must be made for this factor in applications such as sub-surface mooring or when using devices that
demand precise depth location and measurement.
PERMANENT EXTENSION (P.E.) AFTER RELAXED: That portion of extension which, due to construction deformation
(compacting of braid and helical changes) and some plastic deformation of the yarn fibers, prevents the rope from
returning to its original length.
CREEP (COLD FLOW): Fiber deformation (elongation) due to molecular slippage under a constant, static loading situation.
Fibers with this inherent characteristic display extremely low or negligible creep if minor fluctuations occur in the rate
and/or frequency of load levels. In rope form, this would apply to polypropylene, polyethylene and HMPE fibers.
New Rope Load Load After

Unloaded Applied Released Several Hours
COMPONENTS OF
After elongation 32 ft.
Loaded Length 40 ft.
Initial Length 30 ft.
New length of rope
STRETCH ON A
LOADED ROPE
Published Elastic Elongation

Data: All reported percentages
are averages based on tests of
new rope stabilized from 200D2.
Tested ropes are stabilized
by being cycled 50 times at PERMANENT
2 FT.
each stated percentage of its ELONGATION

2 ft.
average break strength. Non-recoverable
HYSTERESIS
Recoverable
Total Stretch 10 ft.
Several
over time
3 ft.
hours
later...
ELASTIC ELONGATION
Immediately recoverable
5 ft.
Load
Released
REF
REFERENCE
Samson R&D
Testing Methods and Specifications
A WORD ABOUT PUBLISHED STRENGTHS AND TESTING:
Because our ropes are asked to perform in the real world, our published strengths and test
results reflect as accurately as possible the conditions under which they are intended to be used.
Since nearly all ropes in actual use are terminated with a splice, publishing unspliced strengths
does not allow the customer to select the appropriate size and strength rope for his application,
and to assure the utmost in safety and length of service life. Throughout this catalog, and
wherever SRT strengths are noted, all published data are for spliced ropes. This ensures that you
are selecting sizes and strengths based on real world conditions. When comparing our data to
other strengths, please ensure that spliced strengths are used.
TESTING METHODS AT SAMSON:

Testing is a critical stage in the design and manufacture of new ropes, and in determining
retirement criteria for used ropes. Samson has established test methods that comply with
industry standard methods like CI-1500, with more stringent specifications and testing instructions
to eliminate wide tolerances or generalized procedures, The result is more consistent, reliable
data for our customers, and more accurate assessment of retirement criteria.
1.1 million pound test machine
Samson R&D maintains the largest capacity testing machine for synthetic rope in the industry,
capable of testing rope to failure up to 1.1 million pounds. The machine is fully computer
controlled, provides automated cycle loading, and precise elongation measurements. All data
is acquired, stored, calculations performed, and reports generated automatically.
SAMSON’S TESTING METHODOLOGY COVERS:

> Sampling of test specimens
> Determination of diameter
> Determination of lay/pitch, picks per inch
> Linear density
> Breaking force
> Initial elongation (uncycled elongation)
Engineers at customer test of new tethers > Cycled elongation
> Wet testing
> Reporting procedures
> Stiffness
> Abrasion resistance
More information on testing of high performance ropes is available for downloading at

www.samsonrope.com. Go to the Technical Resources section directly from the home page.
RESIDUAL STRENGTH TESTING:

Samson offers customers residual strength testing of our ropes. Periodic testing of samples taken
from ropes currently in service ensure that retirement criteria is updated to reflect the actual
conditions of service. Call our customer service department for more information. (See sample
Residual Strength chart on page 55).
Samson was one of the first U.S. rope manufacturers to receive Based on our Quality Assurance Program, Samson has received
ISO 9001 certification, a natural progression of our existing product type approval certifications from:
Quality Assurance Program that incorporates: ABS – American Bureau of Shipping
> Integrated product development and production software that NK – Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
translates engineering specifications into production orders for manufacturing DNV – Det Norske Veritas
> Specialized production documents for processing high modulus fibers Product certifications are available upon request with
> Standardized procedures for inspection, analysis, and testing of order placement. As a long standing active member
in-process product as well as finished goods of the Cordage Institute, Samson has been a major
> Individual specifications for all products contributor in developing standards and specifications
on behalf of the Cordage Institute.
Rope Handling REF
REFERENCE
Rope Handling
REMOVING ROPE FROM REEL OR COIL:

Synthetic fiber ropes are normally shipped on reels for maximum protection while in
transit. The rope should be removed from the reel by pulling it off the top while the reel is
free to rotate. This can be accomplished by passing a pipe through the center of the reel
and jacking it up until the reel is free from the deck. Rope should never be taken from a
reel lying on its side. If the rope is supplied on a coil, it should always be uncoiled from
the inside so that the first turn comes off the bottom in a counterclockwise direction.
AVOID KINKING AND HOCKLING:

The continuous use of a line on one side of a winch or windlass is a common abuse
which can render a line useless in a comparatively short time. Repeated hauling of Synthetic-fiber rope should be removed
from the reel by pulling it off the top while
a line over a winch in a counterclockwise direction will extend the lay of the rope and the reel is free to rotate.
simultaneously shorten the twist of each strand. As this action continues, kinks (or
hockles) will develop. Once these hockles appear, they cannot be removed and the rope
is permanently damaged at the point of hockling.
If, on the other hand, the line is continuously hauled over a winch in a clockwise direction,
the rope lay is shortened and the rope becomes stiff and will kink readily.
To avoid detrimental conditions, the direction of turns over the winch should be alternated
regularly. Clockwise turns are recommended for the initial use of a new line. If this practice
is observed, the original rope balance will be maintained and the lines will have a much
longer useful life.
In these examples, the condition can arise in the deep sea mooring of free-rotating
buoys where a 3-strand rope will rotate until it spins and twists itself into hockles and
eventually destroys itself. The use of swivels with three-strand ocean-towing hawsers, or
transmission stringing lines, may also cause damaging hockles. The sudden release of
a heavy strain may also cause hockles or hard kinks. Excessive turns can cause kinking
Once these
in any rope but hockles can occur only in the basic “twisted” ropes (3-strand, 4-strand
hockles appear,
and cable-laid). Braided and plaited ropes cannot be hockled; their interlocking strand they cannot
construction prevents the unlaying. Strands run in both directions creating a torque-free be removed
and the rope
balance thus eliminating any inherent tendency toward twist or rotation. Swivels can is permanently
be used safely but are seldom necessary. One word of caution here: when marrying a damaged.
braided line to a twisted line (and also to wire rope) the twisted line can impart its twist to
the braided line if the ropes are married without a swivel in between.
A braided or plaited rope, being torque-free, can have twist induced by constant working
on winches and capstans. If a twist develops, it can easily be removed by “counter-
rotating” when the rope is relaxed.
COILING AND FLAKING:

3-strand ropes should be coiled in a clockwise direction (or in the direction of the lay of
the rope) and uncoiled in a counterclockwise direction to avoid kinks. An alternate and
perhaps better method is to flake out the line figure-eight fashion. This avoids putting twist
in the line in either direction and lessens the risk of kinking. The best method for
making up braided
rope for deck stowage
FIGURE 8 STOWAGE METHOD: is in figure-eight
Great care must be taken in the stowage and proper coiling of 3-strand ropes to prevent fashion either flaked
the natural built-in twist of the line from developing kinks and damaging hockles. Braided flat on the deck
or figure-eight
ropes on the other hand have no built-in twist and are far more resistant to kinking. Even vertically around
if kinks do develop they cannot develop further into hockles. The best method for making bulkhead cleats.
up braided rope for deck stowage is in figure-eight fashion either flaked flat on the deck
or figure-eight vertically around bulkhead cleats. It should not be hand coiled in either
direction as this merely puts turn into the line which may develop into kinks when paying-
out. Remember that there is no turn or twist in the line to begin with so do not produce it
by coiling.
REF
REFERENCE
Winch Info
Bending Radius and Winch Data
BENDING RADIUS:
Any sharp bend in a rope under load decreases its strength substantially and may cause
premature damage or failure. In sizing the radius of bitts, fairleads and chocks for best
performance the following guidelines are offered:
This angle
is more than Where a rope bends more than ten degrees around bitts or chocks or, for that
10 degrees
matter, is bending across any surface, the diameter of that surface should not
be less than three times the diameter of the rope. Stated another way, the
diameter of the surface should be at least three times the rope diameter. A
four-to-one ratio (or larger) would be better yet because the durability of the
Surface diameter should be at rope increases substantially as the diameter of the surface over which it is
least three times the rope diameter.
worked increases.
On a cleat when the rope does not bend radially around, the barrel of the
cleat can be one half the rope circumference (minimum).
Surface diameter should be at

least 1/2 the rope circumference.
Many tugboats using eight and nine-inch circumference headlines in ship-

handling work have fair size bitts (eighteen-inch diameter, etc.), which is
an adequate bending radius. However, ironically, many of these bow and
shoulder bitts are equipped with “horns” of a relatively small diameter (five or
six-inches) and it is these horns under or over which the lines pass and bend
first in many cases. This results in shortened rope life and excessive rope
Bollards with replacement costs.
undersized horns.
The ratio of the length of an eye splice to the diameter of the object over
which the eye is to be placed (bollard, bitt, cleat, etc.) should be a minimum
2 ft. three-to-one relationship and preferably five-to-one. In other words, if you
have a bollard two feet in diameter the eye splice should be six or ten feet
in length. By using this ratio the angle of the two legs of the eye splice at
its throat will not be so severe as to cause a parting or tearing action at this
Minimum 6 Feet point (thimbles are normally designed with a three-to-one ratio).
Winch and Sheave Data REF
REFERENCE
Winch/Sheave
WINDING ROPE:
TUG ASSIST LINES: A minimum of the first 3-4 wrap layers of rope around the winch
storage drum should be installed so the rope has a close and tight fit on the drum. The Winding rope on winch drum
installation tension on the rope should be approximately 10% of the rope’s minimum breaking
strength. For new rope installations, the greater the number of wrap layers installed under the
suggested tension will minimize or prevent subsequent wraps from diving or burying down
into lower wraps. As the rope is used, the wrap tensions may loosen, it is suggested the total
rope be re-tensioned at original installation loads and thereby prevent potential downward
wrap slippage. A single drum or split drum winch, should always keep a minimum of eight
wraps of rope on the drum at all times. This is to insure that the connecting point of the rope to
the winch does not under go load.
8 wraps on drum
MOORING LINES: The mooring line should be installed on the winch storage drum under
tension that can be created by running the rope around a capstan, bollard, or pin. There
are two key factors, it is important the rope be installed with tension and in a close tight fit In connecting the rope to the winch
on the drum to prevent rope diving or burying into the lower wrap layers. It is also important drum flange, it is suggested that
that the surface of the device used to create the tension is not abrasive to the rope and the the end of the rope either be back
installation speed or tension applied does not generate excessive heat build up on the rope. spliced or whipped to create better
rope firmness for the flange connec-
A single drum or split drum winch, should always keep a minimum of eight wraps of rope on
tion bracket to compress upon.
the drum at all times. This is to ensure that the connecting point of the rope to the winch does
not under go load.
ROPE CAPACITY OF A WINCH DRUM:

S
EFFECT OF ROPE DIAMETER ON DRUM CAPACITY A
S
The formula for determining the length Traverse
of rope that will fit on a winch drum is: ROPE DIAMETER FEET ON DRUM
S
1-1/8 in. 100 ft. Barrel
Length to be A (B2-C2)
stored (feet)
=
15.3 (rope dia.)2 1 in. 125 ft. C Diameter B Flange
Diameter
(A, B, C and rope diameter are expressed in inches; 7/8 in. 165 ft. S
length (L) is expressed in feet.) 3/4 in. 225 ft.
5/8 in. 325 ft.
S
1/2 in. 510 ft.
SHEAVE DIAMETERS AND SIZES:

SHEAVE DIAMETERS SHOULD BE: Groove
> Twisted/Plaited Ropes = 10 times rope diameter Diameter
> Braided Ropes = 8 times rope diameter 8-inch
Diameter
Rope
Sheave Diameter
To assure maximum efficiency and safety, sheaves for braided ropes should be no less
than eight times the rope diameter. The sheave groove diameter should be no less than 1-inch
ten percent greater than the rope diameter. The sheave groove should be round in shape. Diameter No less than
Sheaves with “V” shaped grooves should be avoided, as they tend to pinch and damage the Rope 10% greater
rope through excessive friction and crushing of the rope fibers. Sheave surfaces should be than rope
kept smooth and free of burrs and gouges. Bearings should be maintained to ensure smooth 8:1 diamter
rotation of sheaves. Ratio
REF
REFERENCE
Strength Data
Standards of Strength and Determination
WORKING LOADS:
Working loads are for rope in good condition with appropriate splices, in noncritical
applications and under normal service conditions. Working loads are based on a
percentage of the approximate breaking strength of new and unused rope of current
manufacture. For the 3-strand, 8-strand, 12-strand and double braid rope products depicted
in this manual, when used under normal conditions, the working load percentage is 20%
of published strengths. Normal working loads do not cover dynamic conditions such as
shock loads or sustained loads, nor do they cover where life, limb or valuable property are
involved. In these cases a lower working load must be used. A higher working load may
be selected only with expert knowledge of conditions and professional estimates of risk,
if the rope has been inspected and found to be in good condition, and if the rope has not
been subject to dynamic loading (such as sudden drops, snubs or pickups), excessive use,
elevated temperatures, or extended periods under load.
NORMAL WORKING LOADS:

Normal working loads are not applicable when rope has been subject to dynamic loading.
Whenever a load is picked up, stopped, moved or swung there is an increased force due
to dynamic loading. The more rapidly or suddenly such actions occur, the greater the
increase will be. In extreme cases, the force put on the rope may be two, three, or even
more times the normal load involved. Examples could be ropes used as a tow line, picking
up a load on a slack line, or using rope to stop a falling object. Dynamic effects are greater
on a low elongation rope such as polyester than on a high elongation rope such as nylon,
and greater on a short rope than on a long one. Therefore, in all such applications normal
working loads as given do not apply.
DYNAMIC LOADING:
For dynamic loading applications involving severe exposure conditions, or for
recommendations on special applications, consult the manufacturer.
DANGER TO PERSONNEL:
Persons should be warned against the serious danger of standing in line with a rope under
tension. Should the rope part, it may recoil with considerable force and speed. In all cases
where any such risks are present, or where there is any question about the load involved
or the condition of use, the working load should be substantially reduced and the rope
properly inspected before every use.
SPLICING AND KNOTS:

Splices should be used instead of knots whenever possible because knots can decrease
rope strength up to 50%. When splices are used, always use the manufacturer’s
recommended splicing procedures. When knots are used, be sure to take into
consideration the knot’s corresponding reduction to the rope strength and adjust your
working load accordingly.
Residual Strength REF
REFERENCE
Strength Data
ROPE INSPECTION:
Avoid using rope that shows signs of aging and wear. If in doubt, destroy the used rope. No
type of visual inspection can be guaranteed to accurately and precisely determine the actual
residual strength. When the fibers show wear in any given area, the rope should be re-spliced,
downgraded, or replaced. Check the line regularly for frayed strands and broken yarns. Pulled
strands should be re-threaded into the rope if possible. A pulled strand can snag on a foreign
object during rope operation. Both outer and inner rope fibers contribute to the strength of
the rope. When either is worn, the rope is naturally weakened. Open the strands of the rope
and look for powdered fiber, which is one sign of internal wear. A heavily used rope will often
become compacted or hard which indicates reduced strength. The rope should be discarded
if this condition exists.
AVOID ALL ABRASIVE CONDITIONS:

All rope will be severely damaged if subjected to rough surfaces or sharp edges. Chocks, bitts,
winches, drums and other surfaces must be kept in good condition and free of burrs and rust.
Pulleys must be free to rotate and should be of proper size to avoid excessive wear.
AVOID CHEMICAL EXPOSURE:

Rope is subject to damage by chemicals. Consult the manufacturer for specific chemical
exposure, such as solvents, acids, and alkalis. Consult the manufacturer for recommendations
when a rope will be used where chemical exposure (either fumes or actual contact) can occur.
AVOID OVERHEATING:
Heat can seriously affect the strength of synthetic ropes. The temperatures at which 50%
strength loss can occur are: Polypropylene 250° F, Nylon 350° F, Polyester 350° F. When
using rope where the temperature exceeds these levels (or if it is too hot to hold), consult
the manufacturer for recommendations as to the size and type of rope for the proposed
continuous heat exposure conditions. When using ropes on a capstan or winch, care should
be exercised to avoid surging while the capstan or winch head is rotating. The friction from
the slippage causes localized overheating which can melt or fuse synthetic fibers, resulting
in severe loss of tensile strength.
STORAGE:
All rope should be stored in a clean, dry area, out of direct sunlight, and away from extreme
heat. It should be kept off the floor on racks to provide ventilation underneath. Never store
on a concrete or dirt floor, and under no circumstances should cordage and acid or alkalis be
kept in the same vicinity. Some synthetic rope (in particular polypropylene and polyethylene)
may be severely weakened by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays unless specifically
stabilized and/or pigmented to increase UV resistance. UV degradation is indicated by
discoloration and the presence of splinters and slivers on the surface of the rope.
Residual Strength – AmSteel®-Blue Mooring Lines on Oil & Gas Tankers

100%
95
90
Residual Strength
85
80%
(Percentage of MBS)
75
70
65
60%
55
50 Usual wire rope
45 replacement time
40%
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Mooring Hours (thousands)
Samson offers customers residual strength testing of our ropes.
154 DWT = 1-5/8" Diameter
Periodic testing of samples taken from ropes currently in service
136 DWT = 1-5/8" Diameter ensure that retirement criteria is updated to reflect the actual conditions
40 DWT = 1-1/8" Diameter of service. Call our customer service department for more information.
REF
REFERENCE
Selection and
Rope Inspection and Retirement
Usage
ROPE LIFE FACTORS AND DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
There are basically three steps to consider in providing the longest possible
service life, the safest conditions and long range economy for ropes:
Selection, Usage, and Retirement.
The use of rope for any purpose subjects it to friction, bending and tension. All rope hardware, sheaves,
rollers, capstans, cleats, as well as knots are, in varying degrees, damaging to the rope. It is important to
understand that rope is a moving, working, strength member and even under the most ideal conditions
will lose strength during use in any application. Maximizing the safety of rope performance is directly
related to how strength loss is managed and making sure ropes are retired from service before they can
create a dangerous situation. Ropes are serious working tools and used properly will give consistent and
reliable service. The cost of replacing a rope is extremely small when compared to the physical damage
or personnel injury a worn out rope can cause.
1. SELECTION
Select the rignt rope for the job in the first place.
Selecting a rope involves evaluating a combination of factors. Some of these factors are
straightforward like comparing rope specifications. Others are less qualitative like a preference for a
specific color or how a rope feels in your hand. Cutting corners, reducing application factors, sizes or
strengths on an initial purchase creates unnecessary replacements, potentially dangerous conditions
and increases long term costs. Fiber and construction being equal, a larger rope will out-last a smaller
rope because of the greater surface wear distribution. By the same token, a stronger rope will out-last
a weaker one because it will be used at a lower percentage of its break strength with less chance of
over stressing.
STRENGTH: When given a choice between ropes, select the strongest of any given size. A load of
200 pounds represents 2% of the strength of a rope with a breaking strength of 10,000
pounds. The same load represents 4% of the strength of a rope that has a breaking
strength of 5,000 pounds. The weaker rope is having to work harder and as a result will
have to be retired sooner.
ELONGATION: It is well accepted that ropes with lower elongation under load will give you better load
control, which is a big help at complicated job sites. However, a rope with lower elongation
that is shock loaded can fail without warning even though it appears to be in good shape.
Low elongating ropes should be selected with the highest possible strength. Twisted rope
has lower strength and more stretch. Braided rope has higher strength and lower stretch.
FIRMNESS: Select ropes that are firm and round and hold their shape during use. Soft or mushy
ropes will snag easily and abrade quickly causing accelerated strength loss. A loose or
mushy rope will almost always have higher break strengths than a similar rope that is firm
and holds its shape because the fibers are in a straighter line, which improves strength but
compromises durability.
CONSTRUCTION AND ABRASION: Rope construction plays an important role in resistance to
normal wear and abrasion. Braided ropes have a basically round, smooth construction
that tends to flatten out somewhat on a bearing surface. This distributes the wear over
a much greater area, as opposed to the crowns of a 3-strand or, to a lesser degree,
on an 8-strand rope.
All ropes should be protected against sharp and abrasive surfaces. Wire ropes tend to
score and gouge chocks and bitts creating cutting edges that can damage synthetic ropes.
Weld beads on repaired capstans, fairleads, etc. are equally damaging unless dressed
down smoothly.
Rope Inspection and Retirement REF
REFERENCE
Retirement
2. USAGE
Use rope properly: do not abuse or shock load it. Observe recommended usage
factors for bending and work loads. Keep ropes clean and eliminate abrasion
whenever possible.
RECOMMENDED WORK LOAD LIMIT:
WORKING LOADS: Working loads are the loads that a rope is subjected to in everyday activity. For catalogued ropes:
They are normally expressed as a percentage of new rope strength and should not exceed
CONSTRUCTION WORKING LOAD
20%. A point to remember is that a rope may be severely overloaded or shock loaded in use
Rope Construction Percentage of Strength Break
without breaking. However, damage and strength loss may have occurred without any visible
indication. The next time the rope is used under normal working loads the acquired weakness 3-Strand 20%
can cause it to break. Do not blame the rope, it was simply overloaded and failed from what is 8-Strand 20%
known as fatigue. 12-Strand 20%
Double Braid 20%
BENDING: Any sharp bend in a rope under load decreases its strength substantially and may cause
premature damage and failure. Sheave diameters on rotating sheave blocks should be
10 times the rope diameter for twisted ropes and 8 times the rope diameter for braided ropes.
The diameter on fixed pin terminations should be at least 3 times the rope diameter
(i.e. the bending radius for 1/2" ropes should be 1-1/2").
KNOTS: While it is true that a knot reduces rope strength, it is also true that a knot is a convenient way
to accomplish rope attachment. The strength loss is a result of the tight bends that occur in the
knot. With some knots, ropes can lose up to 50% of their strength. It is vital that the reduction
in strength by the use of knots be taken into account when determining the size and strength
of a rope to be used in an application. To avoid knot strength reduction, it is recommended that
a rope be spliced according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Splice terminations are used in
all our ropes to determine new and unused tensile strengths. Therefore, whenever possible,
spliced terminations should be used to maximize the rope strength for new and used ropes.
ROPE STORAGE: Keep your ropes as clean and dry as possible and store them in a coil away from
heat sources.
SHOCK LOADS: Shock loads are simply a sudden change in tension from a state of relaxation or low
load to one of high load. Any sudden load that exceeds the work load by more than 10% is
considered a shock load. The further an object falls, the greater the impact. Synthetic fibers
have a memory and retain the effects of being overloaded or shock loaded and can fail at a
later time even though loaded within the work load range.
3. RETIREMENT
Retire rope from use when it has reached its discard point..
One of the most frequently asked questions is “When should I retire my rope?” The most obvious answer
is before it breaks. But, without a thorough understanding of how to inspect it and knowing the load history,
you are left making an educated guess. Unfortunately, there are no definitive rules nor industry guidelines
to establish when a rope should be retired because there are so many variables that affect rope strength.
Factors like load history, bending radius, abrasion, chemical exposure or some combination of those factors,
make retirement decisions difficult. Inspecting your rope should be a continuous process of observation
before, during and after each use. In synthetic fiber ropes the amount of strength loss due to abrasion and/or
flexing is directly related to the amount of broken fiber in the rope’s cross section. After each use, look and
feel along every inch of the rope length inspecting for abrasion, glossy or glazed areas, inconsistent diameter,
discoloration, and inconsistencies in texture and stiffness.
UNDERSTANDING THE ROPE DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION: It is first important to understand the design
of the specific rope in use. Most ropes are designed to have features specifically tailored to their
application. These features can lead to misconceptions during visual inspections. When a rope has
a braided cover, it is only possible to visually inspect the cover (which, at best, carries only 50% of
the load). Rope designs utilizing HMPE fibers will show initial rapid abrasion until the rope has a
fuzzy appearance — this appearance actually acts as a protective layer.
DETERMINING THE AVERAGE CONDITION OF THE ROPE: The average condition of a rope can be an
important factor in determining the rope’s retirement. To determine the average condition, walk the
entire length of the rope and document its overall condition. Many ropes can be classified by the
total amount of overall wear and cleanliness.
REF
REFERENCE
Inspection
Rope Inspection and Retirement
ABRASION:
When the rope is first put into service the outer filaments of the rope will quickly fuzz up
(fig. 2). This is the result of these filaments breaking and this roughened surface actually
forms a protective cushion and shield for the fibers underneath. This condition should
stabilize, not progress.
fig. 1 New rope
If the surface roughness increases (fig. 3), excessive abrasion is taking place and strength
is being lost. As a general rule for single braid ropes, when there is 25% or more wear
from abrasion the rope should be retired from service. In other words, if 25% or more of
the fiber is broken or worn away the rope should be removed from service. With 3-strand
ropes, 10% or more wear is accepted as the retirement point.
fig. 2 Used rope
LOCATE AREAS DEVIATING FROM AVERAGE:

Many times a rope will have areas that are routinely used around a bit, through a chock,
or buried on the winch drum. These areas typically have different wear patterns than
the average condition of the rope. Pay close attention to these areas in the future and
frequently examine them for rapid changes in appearance.
fig. 3 Severely abraded rope
Look closely at both the inner and outer fibers. When either is worn the rope is obviously
weakened. Open the strands and look for powdered fiber, which is one sign of internal
wear. Estimate the internal wear to estimate total fiber abrasion.
If total fiber loss is 20%, then it is safe to assume that the rope has lost 20% of its strength
as a result of abrasion.
Internal abrasion can be determined by pulling one strand away from the others and
looking for powdered or broken fiber filaments (fig. 4 and fig. 5).
To determine the extent of outer fiber damage from abrasion, a single yarn in all abraded
areas should be examined. The diameter of the abraded yarn should then be compared to
a portion of the same yarn or an adjacent yarn of the same type that has been protected
by the strand crossover area and is free from abrasion damage. (fig. 6).
It should be noted that comparing diameters of the yarns does not give an accurate
fig. 4 Inspect for internal abrasion measure of the retained strength. Since the strength should depend on the cross-sectional
area of the yarn, a diameter difference alone will underestimate the true abrasion
reduction. If the diameter of the abraded yarn is 1/2 the diameter of the internal yarn,
the strength of the abraded yarn is nearly 1/4 that of the internal yarn.
Determining the extent of fiber loss due to abrasion can be difficult. Since all the strands
are twisted, the outer fibers, which are the most prone to abrasion damage, rotate through
the rope’s length. Therefore on a single strand, the fibers that have been abraded on
fig. 5 Inspect for internal abrasion one pick, are not necessarily the fibers being abraded on the next. However, over a long
distance, a single yarn could have the majority of fiber loss due to abrasion.
fig. 6 Compare surface yarns

with internal yarns
Rope Inspection and Retirement REF
REFERENCE
Inspection
GLOSSY OR GLAZED AREAS:

Glossing or glazing can occur from two different mechanisms. The most common and
relatively benign form of glossing or glazing on a rope is generally caused by compression
(fig.7), which typically occurs when the rope is wound on the winch drum, around bits, or
through chocks or staples. This form of glossing can be determined on 8- and 12-strand
products by compressing the rope length wise forming a “bird cage” (fig.8). fig. 7 Compressed areas
After numerous “bird cage” cycles the glossy region will become more pliable and begin to
resemble normal rope. If the glazed section remains hardened, this could be a sign of heat
damage. Heat damaged rope typically has more strength loss than the amount of melted
fiber indicates. Fibers adjacent to the melted areas are probably damaged from excessive
heat even though they appear normal. It is reasonable to assume that the melted fiber has
damaged an equal amount of adjacent unmelted fiber.
fig. 8 Bird cage
INCONSISTENT DIAMETER:
Inspect for flat areas, bumps or lumps. This can indicate core or internal damage from
overloading or shock loads and is usually sufficient reason to replace the rope.
DISCOLORATION:
With use, all ropes get dirty. Be on the lookout for areas of discoloration which could
be caused by chemical contamination. Determine the cause of the discoloration
and replace the rope if it is brittle or stiff.
INCONSISTENCY IN TEXTURE AND STIFFNESS:

Can indicate excessive dirt or grit embedded in the rope or shock load damage The critical and melting temperatures for
and is usually reason to replace the rope. synthetic fibers are listed below:
Fiber Type Critical Temp. Melting Temp.

TEMPERATURE:
When using rope, friction can be your best friend or worst enemy if it is POLYPROPYLENE 250° F 330° F
not managed properly. By definition, friction creates heat, the greater the HMPE 150° F 300° F
friction the greater the heat buildup. Heat is an enemy to synthetic fiber TECHNORA 520° F 930° F*
and elevated temperatures can drastically reduce the strength and/or NYLON 325° F 425 – 490° F
cause rope melt-through. POLYESTER 350° F 480– 500° F
CHARRING POINT: *Charring point

High temperatures can be achieved when surging rope on a capstan or drum end,
checking ropes on bitts, and running over stuck or non-rolling sheaves or rollers.
Each rope’s construction and fiber type will yield a different coefficient of friction
(reluctance to slip) in a new and used state. It is important to understand the
operational demands and ensure the size, rope construction and fiber type be
taken into account to minimize heat buildup.
Never let ropes under tension rub together or move relative to one another. Enough
heat to melt the fibers can buildup and cause the rope to fail as quickly as if it had
been cut with a knife.
Always be aware of areas of heat buildup and take steps to minimize it; under no
circumstances let any rope come in contact with a steam line or any other hot surfaces.
The strength of a used rope can be determined by testing but the rope is destroyed
in the process so the ability to determine the retirement point before it fails in service
is essential. That ability is based on a combination of education in rope use and
construction along with good judgment and experience.
REF
REFERENCE
Retirement
Rope Retirement
Checklist
ROPE INSPECTION VOLUME REDUCTION:

CHECK LIST
Rope displaying original bulk.

CONDITION AND DISCARD POINT
ORIGINAL ROPE BULK REDUCED

BY ABRASION
Double braid* cover by 50% Rope displaying 25% strand volume
12-strand braid by 25% reduction from abrasion – rope should be
retired from service.
8-strand plait by 25%
3-strand by 10%
Localized or extended areas
Rope strands showing full volume.
DIAMETER INCONSISTENCY
Localized diameter reduction
Flat areas Rope strands reduced by 25% abrasion.
Lumps and bumps in rope Pulled strands should be worked back into
the rope so they won’t continue to snag
and eventually cut.
DISCOLORATION
Localized or extended areas caused
by chemical contamination
CUT STRANDS:
FIBER STRANDS CUT
Rope displays two adjacent cut strands.
Double braid* by three or more This rope should either be retired or the cut
adjacent strands cut section should be removed and the remaining
12-strand braid by two or more rope re-spliced.
adjacent strands cut
8-strand plait by one or more adjacent
strands cut
3-strand by one or more adjacent COMPRESSION:
strands cut Rope exhibits fiber-set from compression.
A slight sheen is visible. This is not a permanent
characteristic and can be eliminated by flexing
INCONSISTENCY OF TEXTURE the rope. This condition should not be confused
Localized or extended areas with glazed or melted fiber.
of stiffness
GLOSSY OR GLAZED FIBER

MELTING OR GLAZING:
Localized or extended areas Damage depicted at right caused by
excessive heat which melted and fused the
fibers. This area will be extremely stiff. Unlike
* Refers to double braids that have both core and
cover strength members fiber compression, melting damage cannot
be mitigated by flexing the rope. Melted areas
must be cut out and rope respliced or the
rope must be retired.
Glossary REF
REFERENCE
Glossary
ABRASION RESISTANCE: The ability preferably should be restricted to the DEGRADATION: The loss of desirable
of a fiber or rope to withstand surface wear characteristic average force required to physical properties by a textile material
and rubbing due to motion against other fibers rupture several specimens of a sample. due to some process of physical/chemical
or rope components (internal abrasion) or a While the breaking strength is numerically phenomenon.
contact surface such as wraps on a winch drum equal to the breaking force for an
DENIER: The system used internationally for
(external abrasion), which can be a portion of individual specimen, the average breaking
the numbering of silk and man-made filament
the rope itself. force observed for two or more specimens
yarns, except glass yarns. It is the primary unit
of a specific sample is referred to or used
BLOCK CREEL: A method of rope making for determining the size of a yarn and is based
as the breaking strength of the sample.
where a given length of rope is produced on its linear density. Officially, it is defined
from a ropemaking machine where all the BREAKING STRENGTH, MINIMUM: as the number unit weights of 0.05 grams
subcomponents of the rope structure are Cordage Institute standard. A value based on per 450-meter length. Denier is equivalent
continuous without splices. The term arises a statistically significant number of breaking numerically to the number of grams per 9,000
from filling all creels or bobbins to maximum load tests and the standard deviation used to meters. In the English numbering system, 1
(block creels) and ending rope making when establish the minimum value. denier equals 4,464,528 yards to the pound.
the first one empties. Denier is also used to indicate the thickness of
CLASS I ROPE: Rope constructions
a man-made fiber staple. For example, a staple
BRAID: n. A rope or textile structure formed produced with non high modulus fibers
is said to be 3 denier if 1,488,176 linear yards
by a braiding process. v. The intertwining of that impart the strength and stretch
of the staple (were it continuous) would weigh
strands in a braiding process to produce a characteristics to the rope which have
one pound. The metric equivalent is Tex, the
tubular rope structure. tenacities of 15 grams/denier (gpd)
grams mass of 10,000 meters of yarn.
or less and a total stretch at break of
BRAID, DOUBLE: A rope constructed 6% or greater. Typical Class I ropes are DYNAMIC LOAD (for cordage): Any
from an inner hollow braided rope (core) which produced with traditional fibers such as: rapidly applied load that increases the load
has another hollow braided rope constructed olefin (polypropylene or polyethylene), nylon, significantly above the normal static load when
around its exterior (cover). Core and cover may and polyester. These fibers can be used in lifting or suspending a weight. Dynamic effects
be either plain or twill braid and both share any combination or singularly in the various rope are greater on a low elongation rope such as
load on the rope, but not necessarily in equal constructions such as: 3-strand, 8-strand, manila than on a higher elongation rope such
amounts. Also called “braid-on-braid.” 12-strand braids, double braids, or core- as nylon, and greater on a shorter rope than
BRAID, HOLLOW (Also: Braid, dependent braids. on a longer one. Also, any rapidly applied load
Single; Braid, Diamond): A single braid to cordage that may change its properties
CLASS II ROPE: Rope constructions
rope construction of either plain or twill braid. significantly when compared to slowly applied
produced with high modulus fibers
The center is hollow. On the surface all strands loads.
that impart the strength and stretch
are parallel to the axis. characteristics to the rope which have EXTRUSION: For polymer filaments. The
BRAID, SOLID: A cylindrical braid in which tenacities greater than 15 grams/denier process of producing filaments by forcing a
each strand alternately passes under and over (gpd) and a total stretch at break of less polymer through a die.
one or more of the other strands of the rope than 6%. Typical Class II ropes are produced
FATIGUE: The tendency of a material to
while all strands are rotating around the axis with: HMPE (Dyneema® fiber or Spectra®),
weaken or fail during alternate tension-tension
with the same direction of rotation. On the Aramid (Technora® or Kevlar®), LCP
or tension-compression cycles. In cordage,
surface, all strands appear to be parallel (Vectran®), PBO (ZYLON®), and Carbon fibers.
particularly at loads well below the breaking
to the axis. These fibers can be used in combination or
strength, this degradation is often caused by
singularly in the various ropes constructions
BRAIDER SPLICE: In a braided rope, internal abrasion of the fibers and yarns but
such as: 3-strand, 8-strand, 12-strand,
the continuation of a single interrupted strand may also be caused by fiber damage due to
double braids, or core-dependent braids.
(or multiple strands) with another identical compression. Some fibers develop cracks or
strand, which is braided from the same carrier. CORE-DEPENDENT BRAIDS: Cover splits that cause failure, especially at relatively
The interrupted and replacement strands braided rope constructions that utilize an high loads.
are arranged in parallel over some distance, internal core member or members to create
FIBER: A long, fine, very flexible structure
and are buried, or tucked, into the braid so the strength and stretch characteristics of
that may be woven, braided, or twisted into a
as to secure them into the braid. To maintain the rope. The primary function of the external
variety of fabrics, twine, cordage or rope.
maximum strength, the strands should overlap cover braid is to contain the core or cores
one another for a sufficient distance. and create the degree of rope firmness FINISH: An oil, emulsion, lubricant or the
desired. Based on the fiber or combination of like, applied to fibers to prevent damage during
BREAKING LENGTH: A convenient term fibers used in the cover braid, the following textile processing or to improve performance
for comparing the strength-to-weight ratio of characteristics of the rope can be altered: during use of the product.
textile structures from one product to another. coefficient of friction, wear resistance,
The calculated length of a specimen whose specific gravity, and heat resistance due HYDROLYSIS: The attack of the water
weight is equal to the breaking load. to friction. Core-dependent braided ropes ions on polymeric molecules, which results in
typically have internal strength members polymer chain scission and loss of the fiber’s
BREAKING STRENGTH: For cordage, physical properties.
the nominal force (or load) that would be produced with parallel bundled fiber cores,
expected to break or rupture a single specimen a single braid core, multiple braid cores, or LAID ROPES: Ropes made by twisting of
in a tensile test conducted under a specified multiple 3 strand cores. This type of rope three or more strands together with the twist
procedure. On a group of like specimens it may construction can be produced with traditional direction opposite that of the strands.
be expressed as an average or as a minimum fibers, high modulus fibers, or combinations
of both fiber groups, and offers the LAY LENGTH: The actual distance required
based on statistical analysis.
potential of creating a wide range of design to make one complete revolution around the
Note: Breaking force refers to an external parameters. axis in any element in a strand, cord or rope.
force applied to an individual specimen to
produce rupture, whereas breaking strength CYCLE LENGTH: The length along
the axis required for a strand to make one C O N T I N U E D O N N E X T PA G E …
revolution around the rope.
REF
REFERENCE
Glossary
Glossary C O N T I N U E D F R O M P R E V I O U S PA G E …
LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER (LCP): POLYPROPYLENE (PP): A polyolefin TWIST, BALANCED: In a plied yarn or
A thermoplastic multifilament yarn spun from resin, produced from the polymerization of cord, an arrangement of twist which will not
a proprietary liquid crystal polymer. LCP fiber propylene gas, and used in the production of cause the yarn or cord to twist on itself when
is five times stronger than steel and ten times manufactured fiber. Polypropylene may be held in the form of an open loop.
stronger than aluminum for its weight. It has extruded into a number of fiber forms for
no creep and excellent chemical resistance. use by the ropemaker. TWISTING: The process of combining two or
more parallel textile elements by controlling the
MONOFILAMENT: A yarn consisting of ROPE, EIGHT-STRAND PLAITED: lineal and rotational speeds of the material to
one or more heavy, coarse, continuous A rope of which the strands are generally produce a specific twist level.
filaments produced by the extrusion of a plaited in pairs, and mainly used for marine
polymeric material suitable for fiber production. purposes. WORKING LOAD LIMIT: The working
load that must not be exceeded for a particular
MULTIFILAMENT: A yarn consisting of ROPE, FIBER: A compact but flexible, application as established by an engineer,
many fine continuous filaments produced by torsionally balanced structure produced supervisor, regulatory or standards setting
the spinning of a polymeric material suitable from strands that are laid, plaited or braided agency.
for fiber production. together to produce a product that serves to
transmit a tensile force between two points. YARN: A generic term for a continuous strand
NAPPING: A process that raises the surface of textile fibers, filaments or material in a
Generally greater than 3/16" diameter.
fibers of a fabric, cord or rope by means of form suitable for intertwining to form a textile
rapid passage over metal surfaces. SPECIFIC GRAVITY: Ratio of the mass structure via any one of a number of textile
of a material to the mass of an equal volume processes.
NOMINAL SIZE: A designation that
of water.
has been determined by the measurement YARN, SINGLE: The simplest textile
of another property. For rope, diameter is SPLICE: The joining of two ends of structure available for processing into rope,
considered a nominal property and is based yarn, strand or cordage by intertwining or twine or cordage.
upon the measurement of the linear density of inserting these ends into the body of the
the rope in accordance with some standard. product. An eye splice may be formed by YARN, PLIED: A yarn formed by twisting
using a similar process to join one end into together two or more single yarns in one
NYLON (PA) FIBER: A manufactured operation in a direction opposite to the twist
the body of the product.
fiber in which the fiber-forming substance direction of the single yarns to produce a
(polyamide) is characterized by recurring STRAND: The largest individual element balanced structure.
amide groups as an integral part of the used in the final rope-making process and
polymer chain. The two principal types of nylon obtained by joining and twisting (or braiding)
fiber used in rope production are type 6.6 and together several yarns or groups of yarns.
type 6. The number in the type designation
STAPLE: Natural fibers of cut lengths CONVERSION CHART
is indicative of the number of carbon atoms
from filaments of man-made fibers. The
separating the acid and amine groups in the
staple length of natural fibers varies from
polymer chain. SIZE
less than 1" for some cotton fibers to several
pH: Value indicating the acidity or alkalinity feet for some hard fibers. Man-made fibers INCHES x 25.40 = Millimeters
of a material. A pH of 7.0 is neutral; less than are cut to a definite length, usually about MILLIMETERS x 0.03937 = Inches
7.0 is acidic, and more than 7.0 is basic. 1-1/2" but occasionally down to 1", so they
can be processed on the cotton, woolen and LENGTH
POLYESTER (PET) FIBER: A
worsted systems. The term staple (fiber) is FEET x 0.3048 = Meters
manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming
used in the textile industry to distinguish METERS x 3.2808 = Feet
substance (polyester) is characterized by a long
natural or cut length man-made fibers from
chain polymer having 85% by weight of an
filament. WEIGHT
ester of a substituted aromatic carboxylic acid.
TENSILE STRENGTH, MINIMUM: POUNDS x 0.4536 = Kilograms
POLYETHYLENE (PE): A polyolefin
A value based on a large number of breaking KILOGRAMS x 2.2046 = Pounds
resin, produced from the polymerization of
force tests representing a value that is two
ethylene gas, and used in the production of
standard deviations below the mean. YARDAGE
manufactured fiber. Polyethylene is similar to
See: Breaking Strength, Minimum. POUNDS per 100 Feet x 1.4882 =
polypropylene in its properties but has a higher
specific gravity and a lower melting point. TORQUE: A force or a combination of Kilograms per 100 Meters
forces that produces or tends to produce a KILOGRAMS per 100 Meters x 0.6720 =
POLYETHYLENE, EXTENDED
twisting or rotating motion. When used in
CHAIN: A polyolefin fiber that is Pounds per 100 Feet
describing the performance or characteristic
characterized by the gel spinning of a very
of yarn, the term torque refers to that
high and narrow molecular weight distribution
character which tends to make it turn on
STRENGTH
fiber to produce extremely high tenacity POUNDS Force x 4.448 = Newtons
itself as a result of twisting.
material. The strength of the fiber is
KILOGRAMS Force x 9.806 = Newtons
approximately 10 times that of steel on TWIST: The number of turns about
a weight-for-weight basis. the axis applied to a fiber, yarn, strand POUNDS Force x 0.00448 = Kilonewtons
or rope over a given length to combine TONNES Force x 2204.6 = Pounds Force
POLYMER: A long chain molecule from
the individual elements into a larger and POUNDS Force x 0.00045359 = Tonnes Force
which man-made fibers are derived; produced
stronger structure. The direction of rotation
by linking together molecular units called
about the axis denoted as “S” (left hand) TEMPERATURE
monomers.
or “Z” (right hand) twist. Celsius = . 55556 x ( Fahrenheit – 32 )
FAHRENHEIT = 1.8 x Celsius + 32
www.samsonrope.com
The best resource for high performance ropes on the web…
We’ve put all our information here for easy downloading for anyone with
access to the web. We think it is the best resource for information on high
performance synthetic ropes available anywhere. If you’re looking for
information – rope specifications, product breakdowns by application and
industry, technical papers, or splicing instructions, this is the place to go.
TECHNICAL BULLETINS:
®
> AmSteel -Blue FAQ
®
> DPX – Innovative Fiber Technology
> Elongation and Components of Stretch on a Loaded Rope
> Fiber Characteristics Comparison
> HMPE Rope Comparison – Effects of Post Production Process
> HMPE Rope Comparison – Steelite Extra and Superline Steelite Extra
> HMPE Ropes and Chocks – Closed vs. Roller
> How Cold Can You Go?
> Proper Handling Techniques for 8-Strand High Performance Ropes on H-Bitts
> Rope Handling
> Rope Inspection and Retirement
> Samthane Coating
> Standards for Strength and Usage
> Surface Preparation for Synthetic Ropes
®
> Tanker Mooring with AmSteel -Blue in High Temperature Climates
> Type Approval Certificate vs. Witnessed Third Party Certificate
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Ferndale, WA 98248 U.S.A.
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www.samsonrope.com
REGISTERED TRADEMARK NOTICES:

AmSteel®, Neutron®, Proton® and DPX® are registered
trademarks of Samson Rope Technologies.
Dyneema® is a registered trademark of Royal DSM N.V.
Dyeenma is DSM's high performance
polyethylene product.
Spectra® is a registered trademark of
Honeywell Corporation.
Technora® is a registered trademark
of Teijin, Ltd.
Vectran® is a registered trademark
of Kuraray Co., Ltd.
Zylon® PBO is a registered
trademark of Toyobo Co., Ltd.
Cordura® is a registered
trademark for durable fabrics.
© 2007 Samson Rope Technologies

SWD #106647 5M 08/07
Printed in the U.S.A.

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Commercial Marine

Samson Commercial Marine MOORING | TUG | OFFSHORE |

The Samson Advantage:

commercial fishing and other demanding marine applications

Replace wire with synthetic alternatives that save

Samson: Where technology and people make the difference

Real world solutions for real world problems…

It’s this commitment to providing the best products and service

Samson’s has more experience designing and developing strength members

Samson has dedicated more

ABOUT THIS CATALOG:

REPLACING WIRE ROPE WITH SAMSON HIGH

PLUS, YOU GET THE SAMSON ADVANTAGE –

Lightweight, ultra-strong mooring lines

AmSteel®-Blue Force-8 Turbo-75 Wire Rope Wire Rope

Primary Mooring Line * Spliced strength

Mooring Master P-7

P-7 Single Leg Pendants

P-7 Strop Pendants

Mooring Master P-7 Strength and Weight Information

Tenex-TEC Tenex-TEC is a 12-strand Samthane coated, high

Stopper Strength Comparison

Wherever chafe can effect performance, Samson chafe protection

Protecting ropes from

Dynalene | CODE 975

DC Gard | CODE 706

enough for the most demanding situations > Superior durability

Chafe protection engineered to combat cutting and abrasion

Few environments challenge rope as much as modern tug operations…

SAMSON’S DPX® FIBER

Samson’s high performance synthetics

Quantum-8 lasts 10 to 12 times longer for SSTP in Indonesia

“…Quantum-8 lasts 10 to 12 times longer than

CSL (ASIA) PROJECT NOTES:

Quantum-8 takes on a high fatigue stress job

The Samson Advantage in action

Armindo Gomes, BEng, MMgmt (project), MBA

“Synthetic rope – it is as strong as wire,

WHEN WORKING WITH H-BITTS:

FOR DRUM WORKING LINES:

Drum Working Line Comparisons STRENGTHS SHOWN IN METRIC TONNES

H-bitt Working Line Comparisons STRENGTHS SHOWN IN METRIC TONNES

To ensure maximum service life of tug assist and maneuvering lines,

AmSteel®- Blue SINGLE LEG PENDANT CONFIGURATION:

Size Size Weight SRT Size Weight SRT ISO/BS EN919

AmSteel®- Blue SINGLE LEG STROP CONFIGURATION:

Size Size Weight SRT Size Weight SRT ISO/BS EN919

you need The Samson Advantage Class II

Mooring Defender | PAGE 33

Keeping commerce moving on inland waterways is a tough job for ropes…

But Samson high performance

The bottom line is…what does it do to your bottom line?

Best of all, Samson offers a choice…non-jacketed or jacketed for wire rope

Few markets can dish it out like the fishing

Only the survivors remain in the Samson product line…

Best of all, they’re all backed by The Samson Advantage…

wire ropes proven to reduce tug assist and mooring costs

FEATURES: AmSteel®-Blue is a proven cost-saving replacement for wire rope in key

Size Size Weight SRT Size Weight SRT ISO/BS EN919

The strongest rope made by Samson –

Neutron®- 8 is an excellent floating replacement for large FEATURES:

Size Size Weight SRT Size Weight SRT ISO/BS EN919

A unique, patented construction mooring line made with Dyneema®, featuring