Abstract: A winch comprising a bollard having a fixed end and a distal end, a winch drum rotatably mounted on the bollard, journal bearings arranged between the winch drum and the bollard at an area between the fixed and distal ends of the bollard for transferring cable loads directly from the winch drum to the bollard, a gear assembly in the form of a self-contained unit having a central input drive member, an output drive member with annular outer engaging means and a mounting member for fixedly fastening the gear assembly at the distal end of the bollard, a one-way output drive connection arranged between annular outer engaging means of the output drive member and the winch drum and an input drive connection to the input drive member of the gear assembly.

Abstract: The channel of a self-tailing winch is made up of two jaw members (5,17) interlinked by an arrangement such that when there is relative rotation between the jaws a relative axial displacement is imposed upon them by that relative rotation. Cam following studs (20) associated with one jaw engage in inclined camming slots (22) associated with the other. The inclination of the slots is preferably "positive" i.e. such as to cause closer axial approach of the jaws when there is any slippage.