On a fishing vessel, pulleys are commonly referred to as “blocks.” These blocks are crucial components of the vessel’s rigging system, used to manage the movement of lines (ropes or cables) that control nets, sails, or other gear. Here are the types of pulleys you might find on a fishing vessel:
1. Single Sheave Block:
- This type of block has one pulley or “sheave” and is typically used for lifting or redirecting a line. It’s simple but effective for various rigging tasks.
2. Double Sheave Block:
- With two pulleys, this block is used when a more complex line setup is required. It can change the direction of a line and help distribute the load across multiple points.
3. Snatch Block:
- A snatch block is a specific type of block that has a side that opens, allowing a line to be inserted easily without threading it through the entire block. This is useful for quickly adding or removing lines under load.
4. Gin Block:
- This is often used in the fishing industry for lifting and lowering nets, pots, or other heavy gear. It’s robust and can handle significant loads, often mounted on the mast or boom.
5. Fairlead:
- While not a block, a fairlead is a type of pulley-like guide that helps to lead a line or rope smoothly without it chafing on the structure of the vessel.
6. Trawl Block:
- Specific to trawling vessels, a trawl block is designed to handle the heavy cables used in trawling operations. These are often large and reinforced to deal with the substantial forces involved.
7. Gantry Blocks:
- These are typically large blocks mounted on gantries used in fishing vessels for deploying and retrieving nets or other fishing gear.
These blocks or pulleys are integral to the operation of a fishing vessel, helping to manage the heavy loads associated with fishing nets, traps, and other equipment while at sea.
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