Deck equipment covers a wide range of essential equipment that ensures the continued safety of your ship both at sea and whilst moored. The name given for all equipment found on the deck of a ship; decking equipment typically includes steering gear, capstans, winches, mooring equipment and a number of vital pieces of machinery that prove valuable both in terms of operations and safety procedures.
In this helpful guide, we provide a complete list of essential deck equipment utilised in the shipping and harbour industry to offer necessary guidance on what’s required, how they work and why it matters.
Types Of Deck Equipment
As suggested; deck equipment covers a broad scope of vital equipment and machinery, all essential in offering smooth operation and high safety standards. Below, we provide a complete breakdown of deck equipment, including winches, rigging and mooring equipment to provide an extensive guide to the different types of deck equipment utilised in the industry that Atlas can provide to optimise your operations.
Swivel Head Winch Fairleads
An essential piece of equipment that’s designed to assist in the guidance of wires and ropes, a swivel head winch fairlead will ensure your ropes and wires are prevented from moving horizontally. Typically utilised alongside a winch roller, a swivel head winch fairlead is ideal for use across a number of industrial settings and applications.
Universal Fairleads
Essential in prolonging the lifespan of your winch line, a fairlead is designed to prevent damage or fraying from occurring whenever the winch is in operation. Situated either at the front, or inside of the bumper, the fairlead will sit in front of the winch to help guide the mooring ropes and reduce abrasion. At Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services Ltd, we currently supply a vast range of universal fairleads for you to choose from – including:
- Roller Fairleads: used in conjunction with cable winches for greater winch angles and lower resistance. We currently have 5,6 & 8 winch roller versions available. We also have Open Top versions available.
- Roller Diameter: At Atlas Winch & Hoist Services, the diameters of our rollers currently range between50mm to 600mm.
- Rope Sizes: Our rope lengths also range from10mm-250mm to provide rope for a wide range of applications.
Horizontal Deck Sheaves
Applied as a means to guide the mooring rope horizontally on the deck of your ship, the horizontal deck sheave fairlead is a specific type of mooring fitting that uses rollers on a ball bearing to guide ropes and wires.
Vertical Deck Sheaves
As an alternative to the above, vertical deck sheaves help guide mooring ropes vertically on the deck. At Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services we have a range of vertical deck sheaves available to suit 16mm-76mm diameter wire rope.
Types Of Mooring Equipment
The vital fitting and mechanisms used to secure ships when moored at docks, locks, mooring buoys or alongside another vessel, mooring equipment is paramount in providing safety to your ship. At Atlas, we’re proud to both design and supply 4,6 and 8-point mooring systems that can operate across a range of applications, from a simple rope or wire holding a small boat to a buoy, right up to an 8-point winch system utilising heavy anchors, we’ll have everything you need. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of mooring equipment we provide.
Anchors
Nothing says mooring equipment quite like an anchor. At Atlas Winch & Hoist Services, we supply Flipper Delta style and Stevpris anchors for all sea conditions. Ranging from 100kgs-20tonnes in weight, our anchors are suitable for both small and large ships, offering excellent holding power no matter the load.
Mooring Buoys
A floating structure attached to the seabed using chains or ropes, mooring buoys are used to moor vessels such as fishing boats, cargo ships, cruise ships and private vessels whilst in water. At Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services we’re proud to offer an excellent supply of buoys, ranging from Steel Can Buoys to Midline Buoys.
Pennant Wires & Chains
Essential in completing your mooring equipment is having the necessary capacity and length of ropes, wires, chains and other associated anchor rigging equipment at hand. At Atlas, we provide a range of anchor rigging equipment including Hammer Locks, Kenter Shackles, Pear Links and more.
Mooring Bollards
Sometimes referred to as marine bollards, Mooring Bollards are necessary in providing strong, stable tie-up points for mooring lines. This means they are vital in anchoring vessels safely across ports, quays and harbours, providing a stable anchoring point for a range of boats, ships, cargo ships and more. At Atlas, we supply a stock of bollards, Schmitt brackets and Panama chocks for mooring purposes.
Winches
A vital piece of machinery specifically designed for hauling or lifting, a winch is made up of either a rope, steel cable or chain that is then wound around a horizontal rotating drum. Typically mounted at the rear end of a towing vehicle and powered by a motor, the gear train will provide your winch with the necessary pulling power to pull or lift heavy materials. At Atlas, we’re proud to provide an excellent supply of winches for a range of applications, including air winches, diesel, hydraulic and portable winches. Let’s take a closer look at the main types of winches provided by our team.
Air Winches
Using a pneumatic motor, such as a vane or radial piston, air winches are able to lift incredibly heavy loads with the help of compressed air. The compressed air, used in conjunction with the pistons, will then rotate the drum and, by extension, pull the winch. At Atlas, we have a range of air winches ranging from 150kg-2 tonnes.
Diesel Winches
Vital for marine, industrial and agricultural industries, diesel winches are ideal for heavy-duty lifting but can also be used as portable winches with capacities ranging from 5-75 tonnes. At Atlas, we have a range of both small and large diesel winches as well as a variety of accessories.
Hydraulic Winches
Designed for both lifting and pulling, hydraulic winches typically operate off the hydraulic system of a vehicle, often the power steering pump, instead of using electric or diesel fuel to operate. With capacities ranging from 1-400 tonnes, we can provide hydraulic winches for a variety of environments, applications and weight loads.
Electric Winches
Quiet, smooth and ideal for those seeking simple speed adjustment on their winch, At Atlas, our electric winches range from 500kg capacities right up to 5 tonnes.
Rigging Equipment
Essential for any ship, boat or vessel and vital in your winch operation, rigging equipment is responsible for the set-up of your lifting, hoisting or pulling process. Rigging equipment is designed to set up the rest of your equipment to assist in the movement of heavy loads, helping to secure them and ensure they don’t fall.
Snatch Blocks
Designed to help redirect the course of your winch line via a specific pulley point, snatch blocks are an essential piece of rigging equipment.
Shackles
Necessary in crane rigging, marine winches and other applications, rigging shackles perform the role of the connecting link in rigging systems, allowing for the equipment to be safely connected and disconnected quickly.
Steel Wire Ropes
Commonly used in yacht rigging, architectural rigging and many other applications, steel wire ropes are a pivotal piece of the rigging equipment puzzle. The physical rope that’s designed to pull, lift and move extremely heavy cargo, steel wire ropes are built to last. In conjunction with our sister company, Lifting Material Supplies, we can provide a variety of steel wire ropes, ranging from 2mm-76mm, with larger sizes available upon specific request. Offering wire rope slings in a number of combinations and a gull stock of wire rope accessories, Atlas can help meet our customer’s demands.
Atlas Winch & Hoist Services Ltd – Deck Equipment & Machinery Across Scotland & The UK
Whether you require a boat winch, winch fairlead, winch roller, or another type of deck equipment, Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services is sure to have the necessary equipment to optimise your operations! To complement our quality range of winches for a variety of applications, we are also able to supply an extensive selection of rigging equipment. In fact, we have the largest range of snatch blocks, sheaves and fairleads available for hire or sale in the entirety of the UK.
If you have any questions about our deck equipment or want our help finding the right products for your needs, get in touch with our expert team today.
