this has been bugging me, i have searched for a while as well. I have noticed this on later boats.
my assumption is as follows:
given that these features are placed immediately adjacent to the bollards, i assume these are just fairings meant to provide a more rounded surface upon which the mooring lines may rest and to prevent the mooring lines from making contact with a sharper edge on the corner of the boat thereby preventing them from fraying or breaking.
I am not sure why this feature would be added to later boats and not on older boats, my only educated guess is that the installation of snorkels on the forward deck required the bollards to be moved forward a small distance which may have affected the mooring characteristics of the boat altogether thus requiring these devices to be installed. You dont find these fairings on the stern quarters because the original position of the stern bollards would not have been affected by late war modifications (like the snorkel).
thats my best guess
i look forward to other responses.
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