5–250 kN Electric Vertical Mooring Capstan for Ship Deck | 9–18 m/min Rope

Product Specification

5–250 kN Electric Vertical Mooring Capstan for Ship Deck | 9–18 m/min Rope Handling

Product Overview

The electric vertical mooring capstan is a rope-handling deck machine used for hauling, paying out and repositioning mooring lines through friction between the line and the rotating warping head. Unlike a drum winch, the capstan does not store the working length of rope on a drum; the line passes around the vertical warping head and is tailed or transferred as part of the ship’s mooring procedure.

The supplied series covers 5–250 kN working load / warping pull, 9–18 m/min reference warping speed and rope diameters from 11 to 46 mm. The vertical-axis arrangement can reduce the deck footprint of the warping head, while the final motor, gearbox, brake or holding arrangement, foundation, controls and electrical protection must be confirmed from the approved GA and project specification. For modern ship mooring arrangements, the capstan should be selected together with mooring lines, fairleads, bollards / bitts, line leads and safe crew working zones as one compatible system.

Quick Specifications

• Working Load / Warping Pull: 5–250 kN → supplied series rating for rope-handling duty; it is not a mooring-line SWL or WLL.
• Reference Warping Speed: 9–18 m/min → determines line-handling rate and should be coordinated with required control, duty cycle and crew operation.
• Rope Diameter: 11–46 mm → confirm rope material, construction and diameter because steel wire and synthetic ropes have different bend, friction and wear behaviour.
• Warping Head Diameter: 200–700 mm → supplied range for matching rope size and frictional contact; final head profile and size require model confirmation.
• Drive: Electric motor → suitable for direct integration with the vessel electrical system when voltage, frequency, starting method and protection are confirmed.
• Control: Local / remote options → operating station should maintain clear visibility of the line path and remain outside foreseeable line hazards where practicable.
• Installation: Vertical-axis capstan → compact warping-head footprint; above-deck / through-deck machinery arrangement depends on the approved GA.
• Function: Continuous rope warping without drum storage → intended for line handling, not lifting, towing-winching or long-term rope storage.

Main Technical Parameters

Selection & Inquiry Guide

Step 1: Confirm required warping pull / working load and describe the capstan duty: heaving-in, paying-out, line repositioning, auxiliary mooring handling or other service.

Step 2: Provide rope type, construction and diameter: steel wire rope or synthetic / fibre rope, together with line MBL / LDBF where applicable and the required warping-head contact condition.

Step 3: Confirm required line speed, operating frequency, expected continuous / intermittent duty, number of starts per hour and any low-speed or two-speed requirement.

Step 4: Confirm ship electrical supply: voltage, frequency, phase, motor starting method, enclosure / IP requirement, space-heater requirement, local / remote control and emergency-stop philosophy.

Step 5: Provide deck arrangement, line lead direction, fairlead and bollard / bitt locations, available footprint, foundation structure, deck thickness, maintenance clearance and whether the drive is above deck or through deck.

Step 6: Confirm brake or holding requirement, control interlocks, class society, FAT / load-test scope, coating system, quantity, delivery destination and required delivery time; provide GA or mooring-arrangement drawings if available.

Structure

Vertical warping head | Main shaft | Bearings | Reduction gearbox | Electric motor | Motor brake / holding device when specified | Base / foundation frame | Local control station | Remote control interface when specified | Guards and lubrication points

Rope Handling, Drive & Deck Integration

• The vertical warping head allows the line to be worked around the head while the free length continues through the mooring arrangement, avoiding the rope-storage limitation of a fixed drum.
• Warping-head profile and diameter should be matched to the rope material and diameter. ISO 6482:2017 provides a current reference for warping-end profiles used on capstans with steel wire rope and natural or man-made fibre ropes when specified by the project.
• Line lead should be as direct and unobstructed as practicable. Fairleads and rollers should control changes of direction and reduce chafing, bend loss and complex snap-back zones.
• The motor and gearbox should be selected from required pull, speed, duty cycle and starting condition rather than motor power alone. High starting torque and frequent reversing can materially affect motor and drive selection.
• Local controls should give the operator a clear view of the line being worked. Remote control can be considered where it improves line-of-sight and reduces exposure to line hazards, subject to the approved control philosophy.
• Foundation design should consider capstan torque, horizontal rope pull, resulting overturning moment, machinery weight and dynamic operating effects. Deck reinforcement and foundation bolts / welds are vessel-design items and should not be generalized from the capstan load rating alone.
• A capstan is primarily a line-handling machine. Permanent static mooring restraint should follow the vessel’s approved mooring arrangement and designated mooring fittings rather than relying on an unsupported assumption about capstan holding capacity.

Custom Attributes

• Working Load / Warping Pull: 5–250 kN → user-supplied model range; confirm the exact rating and duty definition for the selected model.
• Warping Speed: 9–18 m/min → reference range; exact rated speed and low-speed mode to be confirmed.
• Rope Diameter: 11–46 mm → select together with rope construction, MBL / LDBF, head profile and line lead.
• Warping Head Diameter: 200–700 mm → supplied range; model-by-model diameter requires GA confirmation.
• Drive: Electric → confirm voltage, frequency, motor duty, starting method, insulation, enclosure and ambient conditions.
• Control: Local / remote → confirm operator position, emergency stop, interlocks and indication requirements.
• Installation: Vertical-axis deck capstan → final above-deck / through-deck arrangement and foundation are project-specific.
• Material: Component-specific marine machinery materials → exact grades for head, shaft, gearbox, frame and fasteners to be confirmed; the complete capstan should not be described simply as mild steel or stainless steel.
• Surface Treatment: Marine coating system according to project specification → stainless or galvanized options apply only to suitable confirmed components.
• Certification Requirement: According to project requirement and subject to class approval → certificate type, survey attendance and test scope must be agreed before production.

How It Works

Electric motor starts → Reduction gearbox drives the vertical main shaft → Warping head rotates → Mooring line is wrapped around the head to generate frictional traction → Operator / approved control manages hauling or paying-out speed → Line is transferred or secured according to the vessel mooring procedure → Capstan is stopped and isolated after operation

Operating Safety & Maintenance

• Treat the capstan, mooring line, fairleads, rollers, bitts / bollards and crew operating space as one mooring system; equipment selection should not be made independently.
• Minimize manual handling of lines under load and avoid standing in potential snap-back zones. Operating controls and line paths should be arranged to reduce crew exposure.
• Before operation, check warping-head surface, guards, fasteners, control functions, emergency stop, brake / holding device if fitted, oil level and abnormal gearbox or bearing noise.
• Inspect the line for damage, glazing, broken wires, abrasion or contamination and confirm that the rope diameter and construction remain compatible with the head and line guides.
• Planned maintenance should include gearbox lubricant, bearings, motor / brake condition, electrical terminals, insulation, foundation fasteners, corrosion protection and control interlocks according to the approved manual.

Applications

Merchant vessels | Tugs and workboats | Harbor and service craft | Barges | Ro-Ro and ferry mooring stations | Auxiliary ship mooring line handling | Newbuilding deck machinery | Replacement and retrofit projects

Certifications & Advantages

Classification review, material traceability, dimensional inspection, no-load / functional testing, agreed load testing, electrical checks, coating inspection, FAT records, GA / foundation drawings and operation manuals can be arranged according to project requirements and subject to the selected class approval procedure. No class certificate or test certificate is assumed to be included unless it is stated in the order.

Certification: CCS, NK, BV, ABS, DNV, LR, KR, IRS, RS, RINA, CRS, Makers Test Certificate.

Drawing & Photos

FAQ

Q1: What is the main difference between a mooring capstan and a mooring winch?

A1: A vertical capstan develops pull through friction on a warping head and does not store the working length of the line on a drum. A mooring winch normally handles and stores line on a drum and may incorporate dedicated brake and holding functions. The correct machine depends on the vessel’s mooring arrangement and operating procedure.

Q2: Is the 5–250 kN working load the same as the mooring-line WLL or SWL?

A2: No. The table uses working load / warping pull as the capstan series rating. Mooring-line WLL, line MBL / LDBF, capstan pull, brake holding capacity and the strength of deck fittings are different engineering values and must not be mixed.

Q3: What information is needed before selecting the motor and final model?

A3: Provide required pull, rope type and diameter, line speed, duty cycle, voltage / frequency, local or remote control, deck and line-lead arrangement, brake requirement, foundation information, class society and FAT / documentation scope. The slash-separated motor powers in the supplied table also require factory confirmation of their operating basis.