A machine designed to drop and hoist the anchor or lines. It has one or more cable lifters mounted on a horizontal shaft, each being fitted with a brake. The cable lifters are capable of being declutched from the prime mover.
A windlass simplifies lowering and raising the anchor. At the push of a button the windlass raises the anchor when it is time to cast off. An active pressure roller grips the anchor line whatever the load. This solves the problem of slipping anchor line.