TL;DR — A direct-acting windlass motor must be rated for a minimum short-time duty of one-quarter hour; a direct-acting capstan or deck winch motor must be rated for one-half hour. Know the path of the anchor chain (chain locker → spurling pipe → wildcat → hawsepipe → anchor), the function of each component, and the sequence of reports during anchoring and weighing.
What the Rule Says
Motor Duty Cycles — 46 CFR §111.25-15
Federal regulation sets minimum short-time ratings for motors driving deck machinery. The baseline rule is that every motor must be rated for continuous duty unless the application appears in the table. 46 CFR §111.25-15
Key ratings from the table you must memorize:
| Application | Minimum Short-Time Rating | |---|---| | Deck winch, direct acting | ½ hour | | Deck winch with hydraulic transmission | Continuous at no load, then ½ hr at full load | | Direct acting windlass | ¼ hour | | Windlass with hydraulic transmission | ½ hr idle pump, then ½ hr full load | | Steering gear, direct acting | 1 hour | | Steering gear, indirect drive | Continuous at 15% load, then 1 hr full load | | Boat winches | (short-time, per table) | | Watertight door operators | (short-time, per table) |
The critical distinction for exam purposes: a direct-acting windlass has the shortest rating (¼ hour), while a direct-acting steering gear must sustain a full hour. A deck winch motor falls in between at ½ hour. These numbers appear on the written exam as distractors — do not confuse windlass with winch.
Ground Tackle — Components and Chain Path
Ground tackle is the complete system of equipment used in anchoring and mooring: the anchor, anchor chain (cable), connecting fittings, and the machinery that handles them. NAVEDTRA 14343 §4-1
The chain path, in order from inboard to outboard:
1. Chain locker — where the chain stows; the bitter end is secured here by a clench or a quick-release pelican hook so the chain can be slipped in an emergency. 2. Spurling pipe — the vertical pipe through which the chain rises from the locker to the windlass deck. NAVEDTRA 14067 §4-3 3. Wildcat — the notched, sprocket-like drum on the windlass whose pockets (whelps) are shaped to grip each link of chain. NAVEDTRA 14343 §4-3 4. Hawsepipe — the pipe through the bow through which the chain leads outboard to the anchor. 5. Anchor — stowed in the hawsepipe when not in use.
Key appendages:
- Bending shackle — joins the chain to the anchor.
- Swivel — prevents turns (twist) from building in the chain as the ship swings.
- Mooring swivel — used specifically when riding to two anchors.
- Detachable links — two-part links secured by a tapered locking pin and lead plug that join shots together; a damaged length can be replaced without replacing the whole cable.
Chain measurement: Anchor chain is measured in shots, each shot being 15 fathoms (90 feet).
Chain markings: Each detachable link and adjacent chain are painted and wire-wrapped to a color code so the crew can read how much chain is out as it passes the wildcat.
Anchor Types
The stockless anchor is standard on most vessels because its crown and pivoting flukes allow it to stow snugly in the hawsepipe. Holding power comes from the flukes biting the ground, not from the anchor's weight alone; when the ship drags astern after letting go, the flukes trip downward and dig in.
Other types include the old-fashioned (stock) anchor and the lightweight (Danforth) anchor, which has large pivoting flukes and a high holding-power-to-weight ratio.
Anchor Windlass — Principal Parts and Operation
The anchor windlass heaves in and pays out the anchor chain and holds the anchor at the hawsepipe. Its principal parts are:
- Wildcat — grips the chain via whelps.
- Wildcat clutch (locking head) — connects the wildcat to the drive shaft.
- Brake band — controls the wildcat when it is declutched.
- Prime mover — electric, hydraulic, or steam.
- Gypsy heads (warping heads) — on the shaft ends, used for handling mooring lines.
To let go the anchor: With the wildcat declutched and the brake holding, remove the riding pawl or devil's claw and any chain stopper, then ease the brake so the anchor runs out under its own weight. The brake controls the rate of run and stops the chain.
To heave in: Clutch the wildcat to the drive, release the brake, and the windlass walks the chain back aboard. A crew member hoses mud off the chain and reports direction and tension.
Chain stopper function: The chain stopper (pelican hook or riding pawl) takes the strain off the windlass while the ship rides to her anchor. The windlass brake must not be the sole holding device when riding.
Anchoring Procedure
Before anchoring, make the ground tackle ready: clear the chain stopper, set the brake, walk the anchor out to just clear of the hawsepipe, and report to the bridge that the anchor is ready. NAVEDTRA 14343 §4-4
Maneuver the vessel to take the way off so she is nearly stopped or has a slight sternway at the chosen spot. Letting go with too much headway can cause the chain to run out too fast and part, or drag the anchor.
On the order "let go the anchor," release the brake; the anchor drops. The forecastle reports the number of shots out and the direction the chain is leading relative to the ship, and its tension. As the ship falls back, veer chain to the desired scope, then set the brake and pass the chain stopper.
Scope is commonly several times the depth of water.
Weighing Anchor — Sequence of Reports
The windlass heaves in while the anchor detail reports chain lead and tension. The standard sequence of reports is:
1. "Up and down" — chain is vertical; anchor still on the bottom. 2. "Anchor's aweigh" — anchor has broken out of the bottom; the ship is no longer anchored. 3. "Clear anchor" — anchor is in sight and not fouled. (If fouled, report "foul anchor.")
A foul anchor or fouled hawse (chains crossed from riding to two anchors) must be cleared before proceeding.
Cargo Winches and Cranes
Cargo winches (electric, electrohydraulic, or steam) provide controlled hoisting, holding, and lowering. Their brakes must hold the rated load automatically when power or control is lost. NAVEDTRA 14343 §9-4
Required safety devices on modern cargo machinery include:
- Load/overload indicator or cut-out preventing lifts beyond the SWL.
- Limit switches stopping the hook before two-blocking and stopping luffing/slewing at the ends of travel.
- Slack-rope/anti-two-block warning.
Wire drums must spool the runner evenly and retain the required number of dead turns. Never override safety cut-outs to force an overload. Never pass a load over personnel.
A pedestal or slewing crane carries the hoist winch, luffing gear, and slewing machinery in a house that rotates on a slew ring; one operator controls all motions from a single cab.
Why It Matters on the Exam
Exam questions on this topic cluster around four areas:
1. Motor duty cycle numbers. The table in 46 CFR §111.25-15 is a direct source for multiple-choice questions. The most commonly tested values are the ¼-hour rating for a direct-acting windlass and the ½-hour rating for a direct-acting deck winch or capstan. Steering gear ratings (1 hour direct, continuous + 1 hour indirect) also appear. 46 CFR §111.25-15
2. Chain measurement. "How long is one shot of anchor chain?" — 15 fathoms / 90 feet. This is a straightforward recall question. NAVEDTRA 14343 §4-1
3. Wildcat and windlass components. Candidates must identify the wildcat, whelps, clutch, brake band, and gypsy head by name and function. NAVEDTRA 14343 §4-3
4. Anchoring reports. The sequence "up and down → anchor's aweigh → clear anchor" is tested both as a sequence question and as a definition question (e.g., "What does 'anchor's aweigh' mean?"). NAVEDTRA 14343 §4-4
Common Pitfalls
Confusing windlass and winch duty cycles. A direct-acting windlass is rated for ¼ hour; a direct-acting deck winch is rated for ½ hour. These are frequently swapped in distractors. 46 CFR §111.25-15
Thinking the anchor's weight provides holding power. The stockless anchor holds by the flukes biting the ground, not by weight. Weight alone is not the source of holding power. NAVEDTRA 14343 §4-1
Relying on the windlass brake alone when riding to anchor. The chain stopper (pelican hook or riding pawl) must be passed to take the strain; the windlass brake must not be the sole holding device. NAVEDTRA 14343 §4-3
Letting go with too much headway. Doing so can cause the chain to run out too fast and part, or drag the anchor. The vessel should be nearly stopped or have a slight sternway. NAVEDTRA 14343 §4-4
Misidentifying "anchor's aweigh." This report means the anchor has broken out of the bottom — the ship is no longer anchored. It does not mean the anchor is clear of the water or clear of fouling.
Standing in the bight of the chain. A critical safety rule: never stand in the bight of the chain or between the chain and any fixed object during anchoring or weighing operations. NAVEDTRA 14067 §4-3
Overriding cargo winch safety cut-outs. Never override load cut-outs to force an overload; brakes must hold rated load automatically on loss of power or control. NAVEDTRA 14343 §9-4
Quick Check
Q1: What is the minimum short-time motor rating for a direct-acting windlass?
One-quarter hour (¼ hour). 46 CFR §111.25-15
Q2: What is the minimum short-time motor rating for a direct-acting deck winch or capstan?
One-half hour (½ hour).
Q3: How long is one shot of anchor chain, in fathoms and feet?
15 fathoms, or 90 feet. NAVEDTRA 14343 §4-1
Q4: List the chain path from the chain locker outboard to the anchor, in order.
Chain locker → spurling pipe → wildcat (on the windlass) → hawsepipe → anchor. NAVEDTRA 14067 §4-3
Q5: What does the report "anchor's aweigh" mean?
The anchor has broken out of the bottom; the ship is no longer anchored. NAVEDTRA 14343 §4-4
Q6: What is the function of the chain stopper when riding to anchor?
The chain stopper (pelican hook or riding pawl) takes the strain off the windlass so