VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED STUDIES

SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES,THALAMBUR

DEPARTMENT OF MARINE ENGINEERING
ADVANCED MARINE WORKSHOP – DECK MACHINERY - SEMESTER 3

WINDLASS
AIM: To study about the construction, operation and maintenance of a windlass.

DEFINITION: It is a machine used on ships to let-out & heave-up ship’s anchor.

FUNCTION:

 Anchoring is carried out when ship requires a stoppage at mid sea or at port. An anchor is
used for holding the ship at one place, to remain unaffected by waves & weather.
 Bigger the ship, larger & heavier is the anchor. Anchoring process requires dropping &
lifting of anchor from sea – Windlass is used for anchor handling on all ships.

CONSTRUCTION:

 The basic design consists of a primary shaft, an intermediate shaft & two main half shafts
with corresponding pinions and gear wheels. The primary shaft is driven by worm wheel
through a worm shaft from the electric motor.
 CABLE LIFTERS: has cable shaped snugs that are used to grip the anchor cable on the drum.
It is not fixed on the shaft but is mounted freely to rotate them, independently of the shaft.
 GYPSY/ WILDCATS: is used to handle the chain during anchoring operations.
 BRAKE DRUM: is screw operated, for controlling the speed of the cable when paying out the
cable and for locking it stationary when is only sliding fit and keyed to its shaft.
 CABLE STOPPERS: device to hold the anchor cable to prevent the anchor from running out.
 DOG CLUTCH: is used to separately engage or disengage each of this unit. Each end of the
intermediate shaft is extended through a dog clutch to carry on a warping drum.
 CHAIN LOCKER: A compartment located under the windlass where the anchor chains are
stored; which is made watertight to the weather deck
 SPURLING PIPE: through which anchor chain passes to the chain locker below the deck.
 HAWSE PIPE: Is the pipe passing at the bow section of a ship where anchor chain passes.

DIAGRAM:
OPERATION:

DYNAMIC LOWERING:

1. Check the changeover valves are in correct position.

2. Start windlass pumps.
3. Engage cable lifter clutch
4. Release chain stopper
5. Release the cable lifter brake
6. Move control lever to lower position
7. Move control lever to stop position for stopping lowering
8. Engage the chain stopper
9. Engage the chain and band brake
10. Disengage the cable lifter brake
 By using this procedure,
The lowering speed will be limited by about three times lifting speed.
The possibilities for mechanical damages are reduced.
The risk of the losing control will be eliminated.
There will be no wear and tear of brake linings

HOISTING (one windlass 0-9 metres/min):

1. Check the changeover valves are in correct position.

2. Start windlass pumps.
3. Engage cable lifter clutch
4. Release chain stopper
5. Release the cable lifter brake
6. Move control lever to hoisting position
7. Engage the chain stopper
8. Engage the chain and band brake
9. Disengage the cable lifter brake
10. Change over valves to be set in normal position before operating other winches

MAINTENANCE:
 Electrical motors or hydraulic units should be checked every 6 months.
 Wash the windlass chains with fresh water to remove dirt’s, sand and salt deposits.
 Grease the main shaft and other rotating parts.
 Check the electrical connections for OC and SC test.
 Frictional washers: check for its excess wears and cracks, replace if necessary.
 ISOLATOR SWITCH: must be in the OFF position, to isolate the unit when not in use or when
carrying out routine maintenance to the deck unit

RESULT:
Thus we studied about construction, operation and maintenance of windlass.