"Bob_R" wrote in message
...
"Paul McGrane" wrote in message
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On 7/15/2016 10:30 PM, Bob_R wrote:
still westbound in Cape Cod Canal.


Very nice Bob, hard to believe that little cable pulls that big barge!

Paul

Thanks Paul.
Yup, the cable doesn't look very beefy. I assume they need to be gentle
with it, especially in heavy seas.


Found it! This is a link to a 4-page PDF describing using a variable speed
drive on an off-shore tug's winch. The bottom line is that the drive
maintains a reasonable tension on the tow line by feeding out and reeling in
the line so it doesn't snap. That's how they can get away with such a thin
cable.
The PDF is copyrighted, otherwise I would post it.
http://www.systems-interface.com/pdf/MARVP-AP003A-EN-E_WEB.pdf
Bob