Anchor winches are used to lower or raise the ship’s anchor. They fulfill an essential safety function on board of any ship or pontoon.

Brusselle’s anchor winches undergo regular inspections and certifications. They comply with the regulations of various classification rules, depending on the vessel’s classification (such as Bureau Veritas, Lloyd’s Register Of Shipping, DNV, IRS, etc.).

The anchor chain

The diameter of the anchor chain on a Brusselle winch varies between 19 mm and 120 mm and may differ in quality. A higher quality chain, especially grade U3 compared to U2 or U1, can withstand greater forces at the same diameter. Ship chains often have a cross-connection in the middle of the links, a so-called dam, to prevent the links from being compressed in the transverse direction by the large tensile force on the chain.

The chain runs on the cable lifter when lowering or hoisting the anchor, also known as the nest drum, chain wheel, or gypsy wheel; a crucial component of the anchor winch and on board of every ship.

Specifications and operation

Anchor winches can be powered hydraulically or electrically, or by a diesel engine and are available in vertical or horizontal configurations. Double or split versions are also possible, as well as combinations with other winches such as a mooring winch, towing winch, or others. In many cases, these winches are equipped with a warping head linked to the main shaft.

A manually operated brake and claw coupling are also standard equipment on Brusselle anchor winches. Different variants for operating the winch are possible. For example, hauling and veering and stopping can be done using a pending control or by levers on the winch or adjacent to it on a control stand.

Chain stoppers

A chain stopper, mounted a short distance from the winch on the deck, allows the chain to be blocked or secured when the anchor is hoisted. The chain stopper is also used to transfer the large forces in the chain during use to the ship’s structure.

Chain stoppers are available in various designs:
– Wardill-type chain stopper
– Roller-type chain stopper
– Bow-type chain stopper
– Special custom-made versions