Abstract
Large-scale experiments were conducted under real sea conditions to support the investigation of non-linear mooring line effects and their importance to moored wave energy device installations. The problems associated with such testing are described, and a discussion of solutions to overcome these is given. An improvement of the experimental apparatus and procedures resulted in meaningful data that could be compared with tank testing and numerical models. The lessons learned have provided confidence in the future implementation of an offshore mooring test facility off the Cornwall coast.