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Maintenance and Inspection
The Windlass is the main machinery used onboard for anchoring operations. It is made up of various parts, and personnel involved in anchoring operations should have full knowledge and understanding of all these parts and how they work.
Having said that, another aspect that the crew should be familiar with is how to carry out proper inspection and maintenance of such equipment. These are two very important aspects that in the long run help ensure the safety of the crew. Properly maintained machinery has less risk of failing and properly inspected equipment will reduce the risk of unnoticed damages, which can lead to casualties or even death.
The Planned Maintenance System (PMS) on board, will have a list of planned maintenance and inspection jobs to be carried out as required.
Crew member carrying out Windlass maintenance. Photo:Jörgen Språng
Maintenance Routines
Nowadays, most of the windlasses found onboard ships, are driven directly by hydraulic motors or electric motors. These cater to hoisting up different loads with the help of the gear and teeth arrangement.
Regular inspections of external and moving parts of the windlass, enable a ship’s officer to judge the wear and tear of this important machinery.
During Inspection and Maintenance Routines, the following will be carried out:
Ensuring that the correct oil is used.
Checking the load on the motors and the working pressure of the hydraulic oil.
Application of a special grease used to prevent weather damage, to the bearings, pins and sliding parts.
Checking the filters of the hydraulic pumps used for running the windlass.
Collecting oil samples for analysis (as required).
Checking the main shaft or gear shaft, ensuring the proper amount of lubrication. (A temperature rise during operation will indicate the lack of or less lubrication than is required.)
Lubrication of the Shaft roller bearing through the grease nipple.
Inspection of the brake lining. (This is extremely important, since during anchoring when the speed is high the brake lining might get damaged due to heat. With that said, it is advisable, when dropping the anchor, to stop every half a shackle to avoid damage to the liner due to temperature rise.)
Maintenance Schedules
The PMS (planned maintenance system) will come up with working orders for maintenance and inspections to be carried out at set intervals.
A weekly schedule for Windlass Maintenance and Inspection would include:
- Lubricating all the plain bearings through the grease nipples and the gear teeth.
- Cleaning.
A monthly or quarterly schedule for Windlass Maintenance and Inspection would include:
- Cleaning and Painting.
- Inspection of the foundation of the Windlass.
- Inspection for corrosion.
- Inspection of the condition of brake linings (depending on the frequency of use).
- Checking the couplings, hydraulic valves and piping for leaks, tightness and functioning.
- Checking the Hydraulic motor foundation for tightness and any sign of wear at the base.
A yearly schedule for Windlass Maintenance and Inspection would include:
- Inspection and adjustment, as required, of bearing clearances, gear wheel contact areas and hydraulic valves.
- Checking of tightness of all bolts and nuts.
- Inspection of the gear contact (this should be at least 70% or more).
- Greasing of gear teeth.
- Realignment of the Windlass (as appropriate).
Important Note: As mentioned before during this course it is recommended that personnel check the brake lining before every anchoring operation. Additionally, the foundation of the Windlass should also be examined before, and after, every Anchoring Operation.