Abstract: An end fitting for a hawser which reduces the shear stresses generated win the hawser. The hawser is embedded in a tapered plug, which fits within a complementary member which does not surround the tapered plug for its full axial length. As a result of this geometry, the shear stress which results from the combined tensile and compressive stresses within the hawser and plug is reduced thereby allowing a greater tensile load to be exerted upon the hawser.

Abstract: A ballasting system for oil tankers and other ships for separating the oil nd the water ballast which eliminates oil contamination and pollution in ballasting and deballasting ships. Flexible fabric-reinforced or stretchable membranes are attached in liquid sealing relationship within the oil tank all around at the athwartships quarter-points to thereby preclude flow between the oil and ballast water. Ballast water is contained in the tank on one side of the membranes while the oil cargo or the flowable cargo is separated on the other side of the membranes. The entire tank can be maintained full for ship stability and prevention of sloshing of the fluids.