Förtöjda

Förtöjda is a Swedish term used to describe vessels that are moored, i.e., secured to a fixed point such as a quay, bollard, or mooring buoy. The word is the past participle of the verb förtöja (to moor) and is used as an adjective to describe ships or boats that are not under way.

In harbor and nautical contexts, a vessel is typically förtöjd by means of mooring lines or cables attached to cleats, bollards, or mooring buoys. Common arrangements include lines from the bow and stern to fixed points, and sometimes breast lines or spring lines to control movement and heel in tides and wind. Förtöjda vessels may be assisted by fenders to prevent damage to hulls and structures.

The condition of being förtöjd is a normal operational state when a vessel is at a quay, in a harbor, or at a designated mooring area. It is contrasted with being under way or adrift. Weather, tidal changes, and traffic requirements can lead to re-töjning or re-mooring, and crews routinely inspect lines and fenders to maintain secure mooring and prevent chafing or snatching.

Etymology-wise, förtöja means to moor, and förtöjda is the adjectival form used for plural or gender-neutral descriptions of vessels that have been moored. The term is common in Swedish nautical language and is understood in maritime documentation, harbor notices, and ship reports.