Socket Bench

As mentioned in the APM Procedures 15, 16 and 15, 259, that we now and then have to resocket the wires used for anchor handling and towing. These re-socketing are often carried out by the ship’s crew and in this connection occurs the problem how to clean out used wire sockets.

The only applicable method for removing the old piece of wire is to squeeze the compound out of the socket. For this purpose you can use a hydraulic jack. The same method is used on workshops ashore.

The method with using heat on the socket in order to get the used socket cleaned is not applicable for following two reasons.

1.You can easily change the steel structure of the socket, which afterwards under load can brake.

2.There can be a pocket of air inside the socket/compound. When the air pocket becomes superheated this can result in an unexpected explosion of compound.

The attached picture on the following page illustrates how a hydraulic jack can be used to squeeze out the old compound.

Socket Bench

Hydraulic Jack in use - squeezing out the old compound

Maersk Training Centre A/S

Anchor Handling Equipment, chapter 9