What is the difference between a bollard and a cleat?

Confused about mooring hardware? Choosing between a bollard and a cleat can be tricky. Making the wrong choice can lead to unsafe mooring and potential damage to your vessel.

A bollard is a robust, heavy-duty post used for mooring large ships, found on both docks and ship decks. A cleat is a lighter-duty fitting with two horns, designed for securing ropes from smaller boats. Think of a cleat as a specialized type of mooring hardware for smaller applications.

This distinction seems straightforward, but the real differences are in their design, materials, and how they are used. Over my years in the business, I've seen how understanding these details helps clients like Tommy avoid costly mistakes and choose the perfect equipment for their projects. Let's break it down further so you can see what I mean.

What is a cleat for?

Need to secure a smaller boat quickly and safely? Using oversized hardware is expensive and inefficient. A cleat¹ provides a simple, well-designed solution perfect for light-duty mooring tasks².

A cleat is specifically designed to secure a rope or mooring line. Its two horns allow you to wrap a line in a figure-eight pattern, creating a secure hold that is easy to tie and release. It is the standard hardware for small boats, yachts, and pontoons³.

A cleat is all about providing a quick and reliable anchor point for a rope. It's the go-to choice for lighter vessels because the forces involved are much lower than with commercial ships. This allows for a greater variety in design and materials, which is crucial for different applications.

Material Choices Drive Application

The material of a cleat often tells you where it will be used. Here's a simple breakdown I often share with my clients:

Material	Common Application	Key Features
Cast Stainless Steel	Yachts, luxury boats4	High corrosion resistance5, mirror polish finish
Cast Aluminum	Pontoons, fishing boats, workboats	Lightweight, good corrosion resistance
Ductile Iron/Cast Steel	Small commercial docks, some yacht docks (cost-saving)	Strong, durable, cost-effective
Nylon/Plastic	Kayaks, dinghies, very small personal watercraft	Very lightweight, low cost, UV resistant

For high-end yacht projects, nothing beats the look and durability of mirror-polished stainless steel. But for a functional workboat or a floating pontoon, cast aluminum is an excellent, practical choice. It gets the job done without the high cost.

Why is it called a cleat?

Ever wonder where the name "cleat" comes from? The term might seem random, but its origin is tied directly to its function and history, reflecting its simple, effective design.

The word "cleat" comes from Old English and Germanic words meaning "lump" or "wedge." It was named for its simple, sturdy shape, designed to wedge or cleat a rope in place, preventing it from slipping. The name perfectly describes its core function.

The name has stuck for centuries because it's so descriptive. A cleat is essentially a purpose-built lump that you use to secure a line. In my native Chinese, we often use the same general term for both a cleat and a bollard⁶. But in English, the distinction is important. The term "cleat" almost always refers to the classic "horn cleat" shape with two arms. T-head bollard⁷d](6s">https://www.escmarinesystems.com/post/mooring-bollard-matters-safeguarding-ships-through-thoughtful-utilization)⁶s are sometimes called "T-cleats," but the most common image that comes to mind is the horn shape. This specific naming helps avoid confusion in technical specifications and orders, ensuring everyone from the engineer to the deckhand is talking about the same piece of equipment.

What is the purpose of a bollard?

Handling the immense forces of a large vessel? Standard cleats won't work. You need something engineered for massive loads. This is where the purpose of a bollard becomes clear.

The purpose of a bollard is to provide a strong and stable anchor point for the mooring lines of medium to large vessels. It is built to withstand extreme tension and shock loads, ensuring a ship remains safely secured to a quay or pier.

A bollard's job is pure, brute strength. When a large container ship or tanker comes alongside a jetty, the mooring lines must hold tons of weight against wind, currents, and waves. Bollards are engineered for this specific task. They are designed with a thick post and a wide, solid base that is anchored deep into the concrete of the wharf. The head of the bollard is shaped to prevent mooring lines from accidentally slipping off, even under heavy strain.

Dockside vs. Shipside Bollards

While their function is the same, there's a key difference between bollards on the dock and those on a ship:

• Mooring Bollards (On the Dock): These are part of the port infrastructure. They are typically made from ductile cast iron (like grade QT450-10) or cast steel (like ZG230-450). The focus is on durability, corrosion resistance, and cost-effectiveness over a long lifespan.
• Marine Bollards (On the Ship): Also called Deck Bollards, these are part of the ship's structure. They are often fabricated from welded steel plates⁸ (like Q355 steel) to integrate seamlessly with the deck. For large vessels that are classed, these bollards must meet the standards of a classification society like ABS or DNV. This means stricter material traceability⁹ and testing requirements.

I always tell my clients to be very clear about where the bollard will be installed. The manufacturing process, material, and required certifications are completely different.

What is a bollard also known as?

Working with international partners? You might hear different names for the same piece of equipment. Knowing these variations prevents confusion and ensures smooth communication during a project.

A bollard is also commonly known as a "mooring post¹⁰" or "mooring bit¹¹." On a ship, it is often called a "deck bollard" or "marine bitt¹²." These terms are generally interchangeable, though "bollard" is the most widely recognized technical term in the industry.

The term used often depends on the region or the specific context. In North America, "mooring bitt" or simply "bitt" is very common, especially when referring to the paired posts you often see on a ship's deck. In Europe and Asia, "bollard" is the standard term for both single and double post designs on the quay.

I remember a project with a client in the US who kept referring to "bitts." My team in China was used to the term "bollard." We quickly created a shared glossary for the project to make sure we were all aligned. It seems like a small detail, but it saved us a lot of time and potential errors. Knowing these synonyms is a simple way to work more effectively with global partners.

Here are the common bollard types and their names:

• Single Bitt Bollard: Also known as a "Pillar Bollard."
• Double Bitt Bollard: Also known as "Staghorn Bollard" if the posts are angled.
• T-Head Bollard: Also known as a "Tee Bollard" or "T-Cleat."
• Kidney Bollard: Named for its curved, kidney-like shape.

What is a cleat on a boat?

What does a cleat do on your boat? It's more than just a piece of metal. It's a critical tool for docking, anchoring, and rafting up with other boats.

A cleat on a boat is a fitting, usually made of stainless steel, aluminum, or nylon, used to secure lines for mooring, anchoring, or towing. Its horn-shaped design allows for quick and secure fastening of ropes, making it essential for daily boating operations.

On a boat, cleats are everywhere. You'll find them on the bow, stern, and midship. Each one has a specific job. The bow cleats are for anchor lines or forward dock lines. Stern cleats are for aft dock lines. Spring cleats, located midship, are used to control the boat's forward and backward movement when docked, preventing it from surging.

The choice of material is very important for the boat owner. I've supplied countless cleats for yacht projects where aesthetics are just as important as function. For a luxury yacht, mirror-polished 316 stainless steel cleats are the standard. They resist rust in saltwater and they look fantastic. For a smaller aluminum fishing boat, a simple cast aluminum cleat does the job perfectly and matches the boat's construction. The cleat becomes part of the boat's overall design and purpose. Recently, I have also supplied some cost-effective cast iron cleats to yacht docks. While they are functional, the texture and finish just can't compare to stainless steel or aluminum.

What is a bollard on a ship?

Why do large ships have massive posts on their decks? These aren't just for decoration. They are a crucial part of the ship's mooring system, designed for extreme forces.

A bollard on a ship, also known as a marine bollard or a deck bitt, is a heavy-duty steel post welded to the deck. Its purpose is to secure the ship's mooring lines¹³ before they are passed to the bollards on the quay, handling immense loads.

A ship's bollard acts as the onboard anchor point in the mooring process. The crew first secures the heavy mooring ropes to these bollards before a smaller heaving line is thrown to the dockworkers. Once the main line is transferred to the quay bollard, the ship's winches pull it tight. The ship's bollards have to be incredibly strong because they take the initial and often uneven loads during mooring operations.

Unlike dock bollards that are usually cast, ship bollards are almost always fabricated from high-strength steel plates. This allows them to be welded directly into the ship's deck, becoming an integral part of its structure. For any large vessel that needs to be "classed" by an authority like Lloyd's Register or ABS, these bollards undergo rigorous inspection. This includes verifying the material certificates, checking the weld quality, and sometimes even proof load testing. This ensures they won't fail under the worst conditions, protecting the ship, the crew, and the port.

Conclusion

In short, bollards are for heavy-duty ship mooring, and cleats are for lighter boat mooring. Understanding their specific material, design, and certification differences is key to ensuring safety and efficiency.

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