INDUSTRY NEWS
Winch Line Cutters Improve Contingency Planning
Winch line cutters, designed and manufactured by engineering company, Allspeeds, are emerging as an essential element in contingency planning for many maritime, subsea and offshore applications. The fibre rope and steel wire winch line cutters provide an immediate cut in the event of difficulties encountered that put personnel and vessel at risk.
Integrated Steel Wire Winch Cutter Deck mounted steel wire winches, traction winches and crane mounted winches are a common feature of many offshore projects such as subsea deployments, abandonment and recovery, mooring and lifting. Integrated into the winch configuration, the Allspeeds Winch Line Cutter is designed to handle the types of high performance, multistrand steel wires typically used offshore. Based on over 30 years’ experience of cutting tools developed specifically for hostile environments, the cutter uses a guillotine action to provide rapid cutting. When activated, the blade is released, and the steel wire is cut against the tool’s anvil.
The Allspeeds Steel Wire Winch Line Cutter can be readily adapted for use on any type of winch. It allows free movement of the wire through the closed cutter mouth without affecting normal winch operations. On activation, the Allspeeds cutter will cut the steel wire in a few seconds, preventing further risk to personnel or the vessel.
Fibre Rope Winch Cutter Fibre ropes are an attractive alternative to steel wire in towing, lifting and salvage operations. Easier to handle, lighter and stronger, they allow vessel operators to maximise winch load capacity. The fibre rope cutter is a lightweight aluminium construction, mounted on a transverse arm that allows free
movement of the rope through the closed mouth, without affecting normal operations. When the cutter is activated, the recessed blade is released, and the rope is cut against the tool’s anvil.
One coastguard organisation has already fitted Allspeeds fibre rope cutters to all its Search and Rescue (SAR) Lifeboats, where they are an integral part of each lifeboat’s emergency towline release mechanism. The SAR’s cutter allows the towline to be cut in the event of difficulties through unforeseen circumstances and during towing in extreme weather.
“Demand for winch line cutters is increasing as companies take the opportunity to reduce the risk to their
May 2021
www.sosmagazine.biz 17
offshore projects,” says Keith Elliot, Managing Director, Allspeeds Ltd. “Our cutting technology has advanced to the point that the cutters are now routinely used for contingency planning in many maritime and offshore projects, where its reliability and speed of cut immediately improves crew and vessel safety.”
For more information on the Allspeeds range of steel wire and fibre winch line cutters, contact them here:
q 44 (0)1254 615100 E
info@allspeeds.co.uk H
www.allspeeds.co.uk
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