Transient tension measurements during mooring deployments

Tensions recorded during the deployment of subsurface moorings using the "buoy first" technique demonstrate that transient peaks in tension occur which exceed the tension measured during the steady state descent of the mooring to the bottom. These tension peaks occur just after anchor impact, when the main float overshoots and then oscillates vertically as it settles to its final equilibrium position. This behaviour is modelled as that of a mass-spring oscillator, providing 1) a method for estimating the added mass of the top float, and 2) a tool for predicting peak tensions and instrument overshoot during the deployment operation.