Ship equipment Part 1 - Differences and use of Bollard, Capstan and Winch

Bollards, capstans and winches are important pieces of equipment on boats and yachts, each serving different functions and used in different maneuvers. Here are the differences and uses of these three elements:

Bollard

A bollard is a short, strong post installed on board a ship. Its main function is to serve as an attachment point for ropes and lines to secure the vessel when mooring or mooring. Bollards can be made of various materials such as cast iron or stainless steel and are designed to withstand the forces of ropes and lines.

Capstan

A capstan is a vertical rotating spindle used on yachts and boats to wind or unwind ropes or chains. It is commonly used when mooring, mooring and anchoring and allows the crew to handle heavy loads with ease. Turning the capstan retracts or releases the rope or chain, pulling the vessel closer to or away from the quay. Capstans can be manually or electrically operated, the latter being increasingly common on modern ships.

Winch

A winch is a mechanical device used on boats and yachts to lift, lower or pull loads. Unlike the capstan, which is vertical, a winch has a horizontal drum around which the rope or chain is wrapped. Winches are commonly used when setting sail, raising flags, lowering lifeboats, or pulling anchors. They can be manually, electrically or hydraulically operated, depending on the size of the vessel and the load to be handled.

In summary, bollards, capstans and winches are important components of the equipment of ships and yachts, each fulfilling different functions and used in different maneuvers. Bollards serve as attachment points for ropes and lines, capstans allow easy winding and unwinding of ropes or chains, and winches are used for lifting, lowering or pulling loads.