Abstract: A shock-absorbing winch comprising a drive shaft reversibly rotatable by a drive unit and having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface, a hollow winch drum surrounding the drive shaft and forming a cylindrical hollow space therein around the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft, a first stopper fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft at a suitable location in the circumferential direction thereof, a second stopper fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the winch drum at a suitable location in the circumferential direction thereof and dividing the cylindrical space into first and second circular arc compartment between the first and second stoppers, a first shock absorber disposed in the first compartment, and a second shock absorber disposed in the second compartment. Since the winch does not require provision of another shock absorber independently thereof, the winch can be installed without the limitation that would be needed, for example, for rigging a ship.