- IMO’s /Circ.1662 sets safety standards for anchor handling winches.
- Guidelines cover design, testing, certification, maintenance, and operations.
- Winches must have overload monitoring, emergency release, and safe controls.
- Only trained crew can operate, with planned procedures and regular drills.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued guidelines under /Circ.1662 to strengthen safety standards for anchor handling winches. These guidelines focus on preventing accidents involving crew, winch operators, and offshore infrastructure by setting clear requirements for design, testing, certification, and safe operations, as outlined in a report shared by NorthStandard.
The /Circ.1662 guidelines define strict safety measures covering the design, installation, testing, and operation of anchor handling winches. Winches must include adjustable speed and tension control, overload monitoring with alarms, emergency release systems, and remote-operated devices to ensure safe deck operations. All associated equipment, such as chain stoppers, must also carry similar safeguards and undergo inspections after use.
Testing requirements include commissioning trials for new installations from January 2026, periodic retesting, and five-yearly examinations by class societies or administrations. Certification is mandatory for both new and existing installations, with details permanently displayed on a nameplate linked to official documentation. Maintenance must follow manufacturer and class society guidelines, with unsafe winches immediately removed from service until repaired.
Only trained personnel are permitted to operate winches, and operations must be supervised, planned, and supported by clear communication, PPE, and emergency drills. These measures aim to ensure reliability, reduce risks of wire strikes, and protect offshore personnel and assets.
