10 kN Electric Mooring Capstan
10 kN Electric Mooring Capstan
A one-off 10 kN electric mooring capstan built in Yatala for a commercial marina, helping crews moor smaller vessels at the wharf with footswitch operation and a fail-safe brake that protects the operator.
Mooring Capstan Project Overview
A custom-built 10 kN electric capstan for small vessel mooring at a commercial marina
A one-off 10 kN electric mooring capstan for a commercial marina, used to help smaller vessels come alongside and hold position on the wharf while lines are made fast. The capstan is operated by a footswitch so the deckhand keeps both hands on the mooring line, and a fail-safe brake stops the barrel the moment the footswitch is released, which prevents the operator being pulled into the unit if a line snatches. The capstan barrel, gearbox and motor sit in a low stainless housing that bolts to the wharf deck, with the control box and footswitch on a lead beside it. Engineered, built and tested at our Yatala, Queensland workshop.
Key Project Highlights
Exceptional performance, precision and reliability
This 10 kN electric mooring capstan was built for safe, one-person mooring assistance on a commercial marina wharf. Headline specifications:
10 kN
Rated Capacity
Capstan
Rope Storage
Marine
Industry
Small Vessel
Application
Design & Manufacturing Considerations
Built for durability and efficiency in demanding environments
Specified with the marina operator for deckhand safety and wharf durability and assembled in-house at Yatala. Key design considerations:
Marine Grade
Coated Steel
Material Choice
Electric
Single phase
Power System
10 kN
Rated Line Pull
Drive System
Footswitch
Standard control
Control / Brake
Operational & Technical Breakdown
An in-depth look at the 10 kN electric mooring capstan's performance and technical capabilities
The capstan has a vertical barrel driven through a right-angle gearbox by an electric motor, all mounted in a stainless steel housing that keeps the mechanism enclosed and the wharf deck clear. A capstan has no drum, so line length is unlimited: the deckhand takes a few turns of the mooring line around the barrel, applies tension by hand and the capstan does the pulling, then the line is slipped off and made fast to the bollard.
Control is by footswitch, which is deliberate. The operator’s hands stay on the line, and the fail-safe brake engages and the barrel stops the instant the foot comes off the switch. The motor and control box are rated for the wharf environment, cabling enters through sealed glands, and the unit was load tested at Yatala with the brake response checked before installation.
Other Winch Applications
Versatile winching solutions across multiple industries.
Beyond marine, footswitch-controlled electric capstans suit boat ramps, lock gates and any wharf where a single operator needs help hauling lines safely.
Mooring and line handling for trawlers and fishing fleets at wharves and processing docks – footswitch-operated capstans that keep hands clear of the load.
Barge and pontoon positioning on waterfront and bridge construction sites – compact single-phase electric capstans for temporary wharf installations.
Project Conclusion
The 10 kN electric mooring capstan gives the marina a simple, safe way to bring vessels alongside with one deckhand and no strain. Designed, built and tested in Yatala by Australian Certified Winches.
Like every winch we build, it was designed to AS 1418, the Australian Standard for cranes, hoists and winches, and signed off by our RPEQ-registered engineers before load testing in Yatala.
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- 2/14 Freight Street, Yatala, QLD 4207
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about electric mooring capstans for marinas and wharves.
How does a mooring capstan differ from a winch?
A capstan has a vertical rotating barrel rather than a drum. The operator wraps the mooring line around the barrel and holds the tail; friction does the hauling, and the line is slipped off once the vessel is alongside. There is no rope stored on the machine, so any line length works.
Why is it operated by a footswitch?
So the deckhand’s hands stay on the line at all times. Pressing the footswitch runs the capstan and releasing it stops the barrel immediately, which is safer than a hand control when a line is under load.
What does the fail-safe brake protect against?
If a line snatches or the operator loses footing, releasing the footswitch brakes the barrel instantly so the line cannot keep pulling and draw the operator toward the capstan. The brake also holds tension while a line is transferred to a bollard.
What size vessels can it assist?
At 10 kN of pull it is sized for smaller commercial and recreational vessels berthing in a marina, where the job is holding the boat alongside in wind or current while lines are secured, not hauling a heavy ship.
Is the capstan suitable for permanent outdoor mounting?
Yes. The stainless housing, sealed cable entries and marine-rated motor and controls are designed for permanent installation on a wharf deck exposed to salt spray and weather.
Mooring at the Wharf?
Tell us the vessel sizes, the wharf layout and the power available. Our RPEQ engineers will size a certified mooring capstan for it.