A Syncrolift is a system for lifting boats and ships out of the water for maintenance work or repair. The vessel is maneuvered over a submerged cradle, which is then lifted by a set of synchronized hoist

Hoist

Hoist may refer to:*Hoist , a machine for lifting loads*hoist controller, a machine for raising and lowering goods or personnel by means of a cable*Hydraulic hooklift hoist, another machine* Hoist , another machine...

s or winch

Winch

A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in or let out or otherwise adjust the "tension" of a rope or wire rope . In its simplest form it consists of a spool and attached hand crank. In larger forms, winches stand at the heart of machines as diverse as tow trucks, steam shovels and...

es. The vessel can be worked upon in place, or it can be moved inland so the Syncrolift can be freed for other use.

The largest syncrolifts can lift vessels up to 100,000 tons.. Because of this capacity, syncrolifts have almost completely supplanted the older dry dock

Dry dock

A drydock is a narrow basin or vessel that can be flooded to allow a load to be floated in, then drained to allow that load to come to rest on a dry platform...

 systems, most of which could handle only one vessel at a time.

Syncrolift was a U.S. company that manufactured syncrolift systems. Rolls Royce Group Plc

Rolls-Royce plc

Rolls-Royce Group plc is a global power systems company headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s second-largest maker of aircraft engines , and also has major businesses in the marine propulsion and energy sectors. Through its defence-related activities...

acquired Syncrolift in 1989.

External links

• Rolls Royce Group Plc education web page
• Synchrolift video at Buenos Aires shipyard