Question 26 1AE01 - First Assistant Engineer

The Correct Answer is A **Explanation for A (Correct Option):** In a standard horizontal electro-mechanical anchor windlass (or capstan/windlass combination), the primary function of the manual brake system is to control the anchor chain payout and hold the anchor chain securely once it is deployed or housed. This control is exercised specifically over the **wildcats** (gypsies), which are the grooved wheels designed to grip and move the anchor chain. Each wildcat must be equipped with a robust brake (typically a band brake) to stop the anchor's descent and secure the chain. The manual brake handwheels are the controls used to apply and release these wildcat band brakes. **Explanation of Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **B) The manual brake handwheels control band brakes that are associated with both the wildcats and the warping heads.** This is incorrect. Warping heads (or drums) are used for handling mooring lines and do not require the same massive, load-holding brake system as the wildcats. Warping heads are typically controlled solely by the main drive motor and clutch, or in some designs, are geared directly to the main shaft and secured by disengaging the clutch. They are not typically secured by the same high-load band brakes controlled by the main brake handwheels. * **C) The manual brake handwheels control band brakes that are associated with either the wildcats or the warping heads, depending upon the windlass design.** This is incorrect. While windlass designs vary, the critical safety requirement is always to have independent, high-holding-power manual brakes for the wildcats to manage the extreme loads imposed by the anchor and chain. The function is standard across all anchoring equipment. The manual brake handwheels are dedicated to the wildcats. * **D) The manual brake handwheels control band brakes that are associated with the warping heads only.** This is incorrect. If the manual brake handwheels only controlled the warping heads, there would be no means (other than the motor drive) to safely stop and secure the anchor chain, which is the primary, critical safety function of these manual brakes.