The difference between marine anchor windlass and mooring winch are as follows:

1. Function or usage:

The anchor windlass is primarily used for handling the ship's anchor. It is responsible for raising and lowering the anchor and its chain.

Mooring winches are used for securing a vessel to a pier, dock, or another vessel. They are employed during berthing and unberthing operations to handle mooring lines.

2. Operations:

The anchor windlass operates during anchoring and weighing anchor procedures. It allows the ship's crew to control the deployment and retrieval of the anchor from the bow of the vessel. Usually operated by crew members in the bow area, directly controlling the winding of anchor chains or ropes.

Mooring winches are operated during docking procedures to adjust the tension and position of mooring lines. They facilitate the safe and secure mooring of the vessel to the berth. It can be operated by crew members at operating stations on the bow, stern, or deck, or through remote control systems.

3. Installation location:

Anchor windlass: usually installed at the front of the ship (bow), as anchors are usually stored at the bow position.

Mooring winch: The installation position is relatively more flexible and can be located in the front, rear, or middle of the ship, depending on the design and purpose of the ship.

4. Structure:

The core working part of the anchor windlass is the anchor chain wheel, which is used to wind the anchor chain, lift and release the anchor.

The core working part of the mooring winch is the drum, which is used to wind the cable for mooring operations

5. Features:

Anchor windlasses are designed to handle the specific loads associated with anchor handling. They are typically equipped with gypsies/wildcats/chain wheel/sprocket to engage with the anchor chain or rope.

Mooring winches are designed to handle the loads generated by the vessel's movement and external forces such as wind and currents. They are typically equipped with drums to spool mooring lines.

In summary, the key difference between a marine anchor windlass and a mooring winch lies in their respective functions, usage, structure, operations, installation location. The anchor windlass is primarily for handling the anchor system during anchoring operations, while the mooring winch is for securing the ship to a berth using mooring lines during docking operations.

For more marine winch specifications, please click here.

For more marine anchor windlass specifications, please click here.