Winch for Deployment from Vessels of Opportunity

MacArtney Benelux has supplied a CORMAC M4C winch to Belgian dotOcean, specialised in sediment and soil characterisation systems and instrumentation. This is a customised version of the MacArtney CORMAC M modular winch series intended for use together with the dotOcean DensX sediment density profiler. DensX is an in-situ, direct measurement mud density method using safe X-ray technology and an automated winch.

Being fully controlled by dotOcean’s software for controlling the DensX, this customised MacArtney winch is supplied with a constant tension function and PC control. Besides, the winch is fitted with a special frame for housing the winch and the DensX.

Five Different Standard Winch Models

The CORMAC M series includes five different standard winch models constructed from stainless steel. Customers choose between specifications including speed, pull, motor size and cable capacity.

MacArtney CORMAC M winches are portable, dependable and versatile systems capable of handling multiple marine applications and tasks. The winches feature a modular and compact design allowing for flexible system installation on board vessels having confined deck space.

Ultimate Application

Dutch Rijkwaterstaat (RWS) is the end user of the integrated dotOcean/MacArtney solution and it is to be deployed from vessels of opportunity within the RWS fleet. In consequence, the winch design has been adapted in order for the level wind to be variable between 0° and 90° depending on the winch position in relation to the vessel’s A-frame.

Due to the request for portability in order to be used on board vessels of opportunity, the complete solution has been designed to fit onto a standard block pallet for transportation purposes.

The winch comes with the MacArtney type 2019/B power/signal cable, fitted with a standard TrustLink stress termination. The Focal model 180 slip ring has been fitted with SubConn DBH13 Ethernet connectors allowing for transfer of the up to 100 Mbit Ethernet signal necessary for operating the DensX.