150 kN Electric Mooring Winches (Waterfall Configuration)
150 kN Electric Mooring Winches (Waterfall Configuration)
Six 150 kN electric mooring winches built in Yatala in a space-saving waterfall configuration for a crane barge, each holding 300 m of 32 mm wire rope with 500 kN band brakes, declutchable drums and pendant or radio control.
Mooring Winches Project Overview
Six custom-built 150 kN electric mooring winches for anchoring a crane barge
Six 150 kN electric mooring winches built in a waterfall configuration for anchoring a crane barge, arranged so the winches stack over each other to save deck space on a crowded barge. Each winch has a 500 kN manual band brake and a fully declutchable drum, so anchors can be run out and positioned by a powered vessel with the drum free-spooling, then the brake set and the drive re-engaged. The six-point mooring system is direct electric drive with full variable speed control, operated from a 25 m wired pendant or by radio. Each drum holds 300 m of 32 mm wire rope, and every winch is finished in a combination of galvanising, zinc-aluminium metal spray and epoxy marine paint. Rollers on the front of each winch guide the ropes closer to deck level for operator safety.
Key Project Highlights
Exceptional performance, precision and reliability
These six 150 kN electric mooring winches form a complete six-point anchoring system for a crane barge. Headline specifications:
150 kN
Rated Capacity
300 m
Rope Storage
Marine
Industry
Barge Anchoring
Application
Design & Manufacturing Considerations
Built for durability and efficiency in demanding environments
Specified with the barge owner for deck space, anchor handling and marine durability and assembled in-house at Yatala. Key design considerations:
Aluminum
Lightweight
Material Choice
Electric
3-phase
Power System
150 kN
Rated Line Pull
Drive System
Pendant
Wandering Control
Control / Brake
Operational & Technical Breakdown
An in-depth look at the 150 kN electric mooring winches' performance and technical capabilities
The waterfall configuration places the drums at staggered heights so the ropes leave the winches in a cascade toward the deck-edge rollers, letting six large winches fit a deck footprint that would normally take three. Each drum was machined at Yatala for 300 m of 32 mm wire, with a 500 kN manual band brake on the drum flange that holds the barge on its anchors independently of the drive, and a declutch that frees the drum so a tender can carry the anchor out while rope pays off under band-brake control.
Drive is direct electric with variable speed control, so all six winches can be tensioned individually to walk the barge into position. A 25 m wired pendant and a radio remote give the crane operator or deckhand control from wherever the anchors can be seen. Steelwork is galvanised, then zinc-aluminium metal sprayed and epoxy painted for long life offshore, and front rollers bring the ropes down toward deck level so crew are not working under high leads. The set was load tested at Yatala before delivery.
Other Winch Applications
Versatile winching solutions across multiple industries.
Beyond marine construction, multi-point electric mooring winch systems suit dredges, accommodation barges and floating plant that must hold station precisely for long periods.
Multi-point mooring for crane barges, piling rigs and floating plant on bridge and wharf projects – electric winches with declutchable drums so anchors can be run out by tender.
Mooring dredges and floating pump stations on tailings dams and water storages – heavy mooring winches with variable speed for accurate positioning.
Project Conclusion
The 150 kN waterfall mooring winches gave the crane barge a six-point anchoring system with the holding power of band brakes and the precision of variable speed electric drive, all within a tight deck footprint. 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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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about barge mooring winch systems and waterfall configurations.
What is a waterfall winch configuration?
The winches are mounted in a stepped, stacked arrangement so each drum sits higher than the one in front and the ropes cascade toward the deck edge. Six winches fit where three would normally go, which was essential on a crane barge with little spare deck.
Why fit a 500 kN band brake to a 150 kN winch?
The winch pulls at 150 kN but the barge on its anchors can see much higher static loads from wind, wave and crane operations. The 500 kN manual band brake holds those loads on the drum without relying on the drive or its brake.
How are the anchors deployed?
Each drum can be declutched from its drive so a powered tender carries the anchor out while the rope pays off the free drum under band-brake control. Once the anchor is set, the drive is re-engaged to tension the mooring.
How is the six-point system controlled?
Each winch has direct electric drive with variable speed, controlled from a 25 m wired pendant or a radio remote. The operator tensions winches individually or in pairs to move and hold the barge exactly where the crane needs it.
How are the winches protected against salt water?
Steelwork is galvanised, then zinc-aluminium metal sprayed and finished with epoxy marine paint, a three-layer system chosen for years of offshore exposure. Front rollers also keep the ropes lower and safer for the deck crew.
Mooring a Barge?
Tell us the vessel, the number of mooring points and the deck space you have. Our RPEQ engineers will size certified mooring winches for it.