Definition(s)
Soft Hang-Off (Riser Hang-Off)
The riser support at the vessel is either through the tensioners only or the tensioners and the motion compensator. This support is generally like a soft spring that results in very little riser vertical motion. The vessel motions are substantially greater than the riser motions, and the riser load variations are substantially lower in this condition than in the hard hang-off condition.
Source: ISO 13624-1:2009, Petroleum and natural gas industries – Drilling and production equipment – Part 1:Design and operation of marine drilling riser equipment. Global Standards