A detailed experimental investigation to measure the hydrodynamic loading on a fully submerged bottom moored circular cylinder (SMC) due to the action of oblique regular and random waves has been carried out in a wave basin. The model has been connected to the floor of the basin by means of taut open mooring lines. The pressure distribution around the cylinder was measured, from which the horizontal and vertical force components were derived. In addition, the tensions in the mooring lines were also measured. These tests were performed for three relative depths of submergence of the cylinder. This paper presents the effect of the wave direction and the depth of submergence on the forces on the SMC and on the mooring forces. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.