WINDLASS
GROUP 2
WHAT IS A WINDLASS?
The windlass is a big winch with a horizontal or vertical
axis, whose purpose is to raise or drop the anchor
quickly, easily, and reliably. It is located on the foredeck
of the boat, and can be driven by a small motor (electric
windlass) or a crank (manual windlass).
• The winch is made up of two main components: the gypsy and the head.
The gypsy is the notched ring that meshes with the links of the chain to
hoist the anchor. It can rotate on a vertical or horizontal axis. The head is
the smooth drum that raises the rode (textile part of the anchor). Both are
driven by a series of gears that multiply the force. Note that, today, most
gypsies perform both functions at the same time.
• If it is an electric windlass, a gearmotor is added to the design.
• A manual windlass uses your muscle power to operate the mechanism—simple,
and very traditional, but a lot of work, especially if the anchor is heavier than a
couple cases of your favorite canned beverage.
• On the other hand, a power windlass uses electricity (or hydraulics, on mega yachts
and ships), rather than the sweat of your brow, to do the job. It’s easy—press a
button and the anchor goes up, push a button and the anchor drops—very cool.
• Maintaining safety is essential while working with heavy machinery such as the
anchor windlass. To obtain a factor of safety in the operation of the anchor windlass,
the windlass must be able to completely raise or lower the anchor head at any speed
within its given operating rpm range.
• In addition, the maximum torque applied on the chainwheel or anchor drum at any
time must always lie safely within the operating ranges, and not at an extreme value.
• In addition, the location of the windlass must always lie within safe
operating environments. For instance, if a windlass or the chain locker is
located within the deck inside the chamber, there must be proper
provisions to ventilate the rode.
• There is a high chance for the growth of microorganisms on the links when
the chain is stored in a dark and closed room.
WHAT ARE WINDLASS SAFETY DEVICES ?
• Emergency stop
• Overload trip
• Over speed trip
• Mechanical break
• Slipping clutch for over load, to prevent any undesirable damage such as
hull damage due to anchor and rope brake out.
• Windlass is a very critical equipment for anchoring and mooring purpose.
It is exposed to heavy weather, sea water, humidity and various stresses.
So, it must be maintained at all times and foundations checked.
ANCHOR WINDLASS MAINTENANCE:
1. General maintenance
• Retighten electrical connections(starters remote control/ electrical motors)
• check for leakages in main system/ servo system
• send oil sample to oil company for analysis
• Cleaning and painting
• Brake drum should be free of oil, grease and other deposits. The brake drum should be cleaned
periodically with a solvent prescribed by the maker
• The brake drum and the disk should be checked for wearing out or damage
• The foundation of the windlass should be checked
2. Windlasses/ cable lifter units
• check following items: brake collar, brake lining, brake level in gear box, coupling claws
general condition
• Lubrication(check level of oil, greasing points)
• release weight from cable lifter/ chain
• The direction of tensioning should correspond to the correct operation of the brake. As the
reverse direction for tensioning would render the brake ineffective, check should be carried
out to ensure the same
• Brake test of the windlass is to be carried out to the pressure mentioned by the maker on the
jack tool. If necessary, the spring tension adjusted. It should be done in guidance of the
instructions and in the tensioning direction. The number of turns on the drum should also be
checked and should be same as to the makers quote
• The securing device of the tension spring adjust should be checked periodically for any
tamper
• Anchor windlass testing should be carried out to check the efficiency of the windlass. The
windlass should raise the anchor with chain from 82.5m to 27.5m at a mean speed of 9m/min
3. Chain stopper
• lubrication
4. Mooring winches
• Check following items: brake collar, brake lining, brake adjustment, oil level in gear box/ general condition
• lubrication
5. Vane pumps
• Check packing arrangement for leakages(when packing arrangement is changed all bearings must be changed)
6.Vane pumps for continuous use(i.e. auto mooring pumps):
• check packing arrangement for leakages
• Regular inspection of external and moving parts of gear and shaft enables a ship’s officer
to judge the wear and amount of use of this critical machinery.
• A weekly schedule for windlass should involve lubricating all the plain bearings through
the grease nipples and the gear teeth.
• Monthly or quarterly checks recommended for the condition of brake linings should be
carried out depending on the frequency of use.
• Monthly routines should include all the couplings, hydraulic valves, and piping to be
checked for leaks, tightness and functioning.
• Covering couplings with anti-corrosive tapes can prevent them from getting rusted.
Finally, the hydraulic motor foundation is to be checked for tightness and any sign of
wear at the base.
• On a yearly basis the bearing clearances, gear wheel contact areas and hydraulic valves
are to be adjusted for correct operating pressure.
• The bolts and nuts should be checked for proper tightness. The gear contact should be at
least 70% or more, failing which, the gear wheel gives abnormal noise.
• Preventive actions can be greasing of gear teeth or the realignment of the windlass.
VIDEO LINKS:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgrxOnQVlcU
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49OMEYhLssU
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxOjoDvdJrs
SIR GWAPO!
THANK YOU!
