scheepsankerwinch

A scheepsankerwinch, known in English as an anchor windlass, is a deck machinery used on ships to deploy and retrieve the anchor and its chain or rope. Located at the bow near the hawse pipe, it provides controlled paying out and hauling in of the anchor line, enabling mooring in ports and anchorage without excessive manual effort.

A windlass typically comprises a windlass drum or chain wheel (wildcat) for the chain, a gypsy for the rope, a braking system, a gear train, and a drive motor or manual handle. The anchor line is connected to the chain or rope, and the windlass pays out or hauls in the line as commanded. A chain locker stores the spent chain when not in use.

Modern scheepsankerwinches are electric- or hydraulically driven and may be horizontal or vertical in design. Some ships carry multiple windlasses for redundancy or to handle linking of separate mooring lines. In larger vessels, the system is integrated with control stations on the forecastle, the bridge, and sometimes an independent hydraulic power unit.

Operation requires coordinated use of controls to set the rate of pay out or haul in, monitor chain tension, and engage the brake when the desired position or tension is reached. Safety procedures and regular maintenance—inspection of gears, brake, lubrication, and chain wear—are essential to prevent accidents and ensure reliable performance.