ASTM F765-93(2022)

Standard Specification for Wildcats, Ship Anchor Chain

ABSTRACT
This specification covers wildcats as used in windlasses to haul in and pay out anchor chain on board ships. Wildcats shall be classified based on materials and manufacture. Wildcats shall be fabricated from structural steel plate, medium-strength carbon steel castings, or high-strength steel castings, joined by electric welding. Wildcats shall conform to specified dimensions, depending on chain size. Wildcats shall be tested to fit sample chain. Workmanship, finish, appearance, packaging, and making shall conform to the requirements of this specification.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers wildcats as used in windlasses to haul in and pay out anchor chain on board ships. An associated chain stopper is used to secure the chain while the ship is anchored, or the anchor is housed.  
1.2 Wildcats are of the five whelp type for use with stud link anchor chain conforming to the American Bureau of Shipping Grades 1, 2, and 3. Wildcat dimensions are provided for chains in integral 1/8-in. (3-mm) steps, ranging in size from 3/4 to 41/8 in. (19 to 104 mm). Wildcat dimensions for chains in intermediate 1/16-in. (1.5-mm) steps are not provided, but wildcats in these sizes are permitted within the scope of this specification.  
1.3 Wildcats are configured to pass detachable links oriented parallel or perpendicular to the wildcat shaft centerline.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. This specification is for use with anchor chain that is measured in inch-pound units.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2022
• ICS: 47.020.99 - Other standards related to shipbuilding and marine structures
• Technical Committee: F25 - Ships and Marine Technology
• Drafting Committee: F25.03 - Outfitting and Deck Machinery

Relations

• Refers: ASTM A27/A27M-20 - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, for General Application
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM A148/A148M-20e1 - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, High Strength, for Structural Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM A148/A148M-20 - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, High Strength, for Structural Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM A148/A148M-19 - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, High Strength, for Structural Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019
• Refers: ASTM A27/A27M-19 - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, for General Application
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019
• Refers: ASTM A27/A27M-17 - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, for General Application
• Effective Date: 01-May-2017
• Refers: ASTM A27/A27M-13(2016) - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, for General Application
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2016
• Refers: ASTM A148/A148M-15a - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, High Strength, for Structural Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM A148/A148M-15 - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, High Strength, for Structural Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2015
• Refers: ASTM A148/A148M-14 - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, High Strength, for Structural Purposes
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM E10-14 - Standard Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM A27/A27M-13 - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, for General Application
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM A36/A36M-12 - Standard Specification for Carbon Structural Steel
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM E10-12 - Standard Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2012
• Refers: ASTM A27/A27M-10 - Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, for General Application
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2010

Overview

ASTM F765-93(2022) - Standard Specification for Wildcats, Ship Anchor Chain defines the requirements for wildcats used on windlasses aboard ships to haul in and pay out anchor chains. Wildcats, critical components of a vessel’s anchoring system, are specifically designed to accommodate stud link anchor chains and play a vital role in both anchoring and securing processes. Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures wildcat design, dimensions, manufacturing, and testing meet the demanding performance and safety needs of marine applications.

Key Topics

• Wildcat Types: The standard classifies wildcats by material and construction method, including fabricated and cast types using structural steel, carbon steel, and high-strength steel.
• Chain Compatibility: Wildcats are designed for use with stud link anchor chains compliant with American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Grades 1, 2, and 3.
• Dimensional Requirements: Sizes cover chain diameters from 3/4 inch (19 mm) up to 4 1/8 inch (104 mm), with dimensions provided in integral 1/8-inch (3-mm) steps. Wildcats for intermediate sizes are permitted within the scope of the specification.
• Materials and Manufacturing: Specifies steel types and fabrication methods such as electric welding per the American Welding Society’s Structural Welding Code. Requirements include stress relief and heat treatment for certain wildcat types.
• Fit and Testing: Wildcats must be tested to ensure proper fit with the intended chain and detachable links. Procedures include wrapping a chain sample around the wildcat to verify fit according to the standard’s tolerances.
• Workmanship and Finish: Outlines criteria for casting quality, removal of surface imperfections, blast cleaning, machining of bearing surfaces, and marking of components.

Applications

Wildcats built to ASTM F765-93(2022) are used extensively in marine and offshore industries, wherever secure and reliable anchoring is essential:

• Commercial Shipping: Ensures ship anchor handling systems operate safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of chain slippage or equipment failure.
• Naval Vessels: Provides durable, tested components that meet strict defense and regulatory requirements.
• Offshore Installations: Used on floating platforms and rigs where robust anchoring is critical to maintaining station in challenging marine environments.
• Shipyards and Marine Equipment Manufacturers: Guides the production of windlass subsystems and helps verify conformity of wildcats in new builds or repair projects.

This ASTM standard helps guarantee that wildcats used in windlasses are compatible with specified anchor chains, fit correctly, and maintain the strength and durability needed for safe mooring and anchoring operations.

Related Standards

Organizations working with anchor chains and associated machinery often reference these related standards:

• American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels, Section - Anchor Chain: Covers detailed requirements for anchor chains used on ships.
• ASTM A27/A27M: Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, for General Application.
• ASTM A36/A36M: Specification for Carbon Structural Steel.
• ASTM A148/A148M: Specification for Steel Castings, High Strength, for Structural Purposes.
• American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1: Structural Welding Code.
• ASTM E10: Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials.

Referencing ASTM F765-93(2022) in procurement, design, and compliance documentation ensures adherence to internationally recognized best practices for ship anchor chain wildcat specification, supporting safe and reliable vessel operation.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F765 −93 (Reapproved 2022) An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Wildcats, Ship Anchor Chain
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF765;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2.2 Other Documents:
American Bureau of Shipping Rules for Building and
1.1 This specification covers wildcats as used in windlasses
Classing Steel Vessels, Section, 2.2.2 Anchor Chain
to haul in and pay out anchor chain on board ships. An
AmericanWeldingSocietyStructuralWeldingCodeChapter
associated chain stopper is used to secure the chain while the
D1.1
ship is anchored, or the anchor is housed.
1.2 Wildcatsareofthefivewhelptypeforusewithstudlink
3. Classification
anchor chain conforming to theAmerican Bureau of Shipping
3.1 The size of the wildcat is identified by the chain size.
Grades1,2,and3.Wildcatdimensionsareprovidedforchains
1 3 1
3.2 Wildcats are furnished in four types as follows:
in integral ⁄8-in. (3-mm) steps, ranging in size from ⁄4 to 4 ⁄8
3.2.1 Type I—Fabricated from structural steel plate for
in. (19 to 104 mm). Wildcat dimensions for chains in interme-
flanges, hubs, whelps, and chain pockets, joined by electric
diate ⁄16-in. (1.5-mm) steps are not provided, but wildcats in
welding. Surface hardness is approximately 150 HB.
these sizes are permitted within the scope of this specification.
3.2.2 Type II—Fabricated from structural steel plate for
1.3 Wildcats are configured to pass detachable links ori-
flanges, hubs, and chain pockets; and high-strength steel
ented parallel or perpendicular to the wildcat shaft centerline.
castings for whelps, joined by electric welding. Surface hard-
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
nessisapproximately150HBforflangesandhubsand300HB
as the standard. This specification is for use with anchor chain
for whelps.
that is measured in inch-pound units.
3.2.3 Type III—Cast from medium-strength carbon steel
castings to provide a surface hardness of approximately 150
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
HB.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2.4 Type IV—Cast from high-strength steel castings to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- provide a surface hardness of approximately 300 HB.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4. Descriptions of Terms
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1 chain groove—circumferential groove at the chain cen-
2. Referenced Documents
terline to provide clearance for links passing normal to the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
wildcat shaft centerline.
A27/A27MSpecification for Steel Castings, Carbon, for
4.2 chain pockets—recessesbetweentheflangesandwhelps
General Application
into which links with flat side orientated parallel to the wildcat
A36/A36MSpecification for Carbon Structural Steel
shaft centerling lay.
A148/A148M Specification for Steel Castings, High
4.3 detachable link—a “C” shaped link, closed by means of
Strength, for Structural Purposes
apairofclosingpiecesandataperpin,andusedtojoinanchor
E10Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials
chain lengths and appendages into a continuous length aboard
ship.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F25 on Ships
and Marine Technology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F25.03 on 4.4 flanges—circumferential rims on the outside of the
Outfitting and Deck Machinery.
whelps, chain pockets, and chain groove.
CurrenteditionapprovedJuly1,2022.PublishedJuly2022.Originallyapproved
in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as F765–93 (2017). DOI:
10.1520/F0765-93R22.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), ABS Plaza, 16855
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Northchase Dr., Houston, TX 77060, http://www.eagle.org.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Welding Society (AWS), 8669 NW 36 St., #130,
the ASTM website. Miami, FL 33166-6672, http://www.aws.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F765−93 (2022)
4.5 link grip—the inside dimension of a chain link repre- shall conform to Specification A36/A36M for flanges and
senting the effective length of a chain link in an assembled hubs, and chain pockets, and Specification A148/A148M for
chain. Generally four times the nominal size of a stud link whelps, joined by electric welding in accordance with AWS,
anchor chain, see Fig. 1. Structural Welding Code, Chapter D1.1, stress-relieved and
heat-treated. Material for Type III wildcats shall conform to
4.6 whelps—protrusions on the inside of the flanges of the
Specification A27/A27M, Grade 70–40, quenched and tem-
wildcat that resemble gear teeth and of such shape and
pered. Material for Type IV wildcats shall conform to Speci-
dimensionssoastofollowthepathofthechain,asitentersand
fication A148/A148M, Grade 150–125, quenched and tem-
leaves the wildcat. Faces of protrusions are separated by the
pered.
chain groove to permit links with the flat side normal to the
wildcat shaft centerline to pass, but blocking links with the flat 6.2 The manufacturer’s name or identification mark, chain
side oriented parallel to the wildcat shaft centerline. size,andpatternordrawingnumbershallbecastorstampedon
the wildcat, using minimum ⁄4-in. (19-mm) size characters.
4.7 wildcat—a rotating member specially contoured to re-
Themarkingshallnotappearonawearingsurfaceandshallbe
ceive assembled chain links and connecting links around the
visible on an assembled windlass.
circumferenceofthememberandofsuitablestrengthtoimpart
motion to the chain when rotated.
7. Dimensions
5. Ordering Information
7.1 Wildcat must be fitted to the sample chain, and detach-
ablelink(seeSection9).PrincipaldimensionsofTypesIIIand
5.1 Ordersforwildcatsunderthisspecificationshallinclude
IV wildcats for chains in steps of ⁄8in. (3 mm) are shown for
the following:
information only in Table 1 and Table 2.
5.1.1 Quantity (number),
5.1.2 Size (chain size),
7.2 Dimensions in Table 1 and Table 2 are developed in
5.1.3 ASTM designation and date of issue,
accordance with the following (see also Fig. 2 and Fig. 3):
5.1.4 Type (I, II, III, or IV),
7.2.1 Bottom of chain pockets are relieved to clear enlarge-
5.1.5 Size, grade, and type of chain,
ments occurring at centers of chain links as manufactured.
5.1.6 Availability of assembled chain and detachable link to
7.2.2 Each face of the whelp is a partial frustrum of a cone
be furnished by the purchaser for test (see Section 9),
developed so that each link whose plane is parallel to the
5.1.7 As-cast or machined dimensions for wildcat bore, hub
wildcat shaft centerline will have end play as noted in Table 1
width, and outside boss diameter, and
and Table 2. This end play provides clearance between
5.1.8 Marking (shipping).
nonbearing side of whelp and the end of the next following
link, the centerline plane of which is parallel to the axis of
6. Materials and Manufacture
shaft.
6.1 Material for Type I wildcats shall conform to Specifi- 7.2.3 The inner surfaces of the chain pockets, that form the
cationA36/A36Mforflanges,hubs,whelps,andchainpockets, flanges of the wildcat, are flat surfaces together forming the
joined by electric welding in accordance withAWS, structural frustrums of pentagonal pyramids. The traces of the intersec-
welding code Chapter D1.1. Type I wildcats in sizes 2 in. and tions of these flat surfaces or sides of the frustrums coincide
larger shall be stress-relieved. Material for Type II wildcats with the centerline of the whelps.
FIG. 1 Chain Wrap Test
F765−93 (2022)
TABLE 1 Dimensions in Inches of Types III and IV Wildcats for Chains
Size of End Play
RR R R XA B O P S T U V R R
1 2 3 4 5
Chain of Link
3 3 3 3 1 5 15 21 13 3 3 3
⁄4 4.12 4.09 3.00 4.87 2 ⁄8 1 ⁄8 3 ⁄8 ⁄2 1 ⁄16 1 ⁄32 2 ⁄32 ⁄16 ⁄16 21 ⁄8 ⁄4
7 11 1 7 5 13 5 3 7 7 5 1 7
⁄8 4.80 4.77 3.50 5.68 2 ⁄16 1 ⁄2 3 ⁄8 ⁄8 1 ⁄32 1 ⁄8 3 ⁄32 ⁄8 ⁄32 2 ⁄16 1 ⁄2 ⁄8
5 3 3 17 13 1 1 5 3
1 5.49 5.43 4.00 6.49 3 1 ⁄8 4 ⁄8 ⁄4 1 ⁄32 1 ⁄16 3 ⁄2 1 ⁄4 2 ⁄8 1 ⁄4 1
1 1 7 7 3 27 1 31 1 9 1 1
1 ⁄8 6.18 6.12 4.62 7.31 3 ⁄4 1 ⁄8 4 ⁄8 ⁄4 1 ⁄32 2 ⁄8 3 ⁄32 1 ⁄8 ⁄32 32 ⁄16 1 ⁄16
1 1 3 7 3 7 7 1 5 5 1 1
1 ⁄4 6.87 6.81 5.12 8.12 3 ⁄2 25 ⁄8 ⁄8 2 ⁄32 2 ⁄16 4 ⁄16 1 ⁄4 ⁄16 3 ⁄16 2 ⁄2 1 ⁄8
3 3 1 7 7 9 23 7 3 11 5 5 1
1 ⁄8 7.56 7.50 5.62 8.93 3 ⁄4 2 ⁄8 5 ⁄8 ⁄8 2 ⁄32 2 ⁄32 4 ⁄8 1 ⁄8 ⁄32 3 ⁄8 2 ⁄8 1 ⁄8
1 1 1 3 17 1 3 1 3 1
1 ⁄2 8.24 8.18 6.19 9.74 4 ⁄16 2 ⁄4 6 ⁄8 12 ⁄32 3 ⁄16 5 ⁄8 1 ⁄2 ⁄8 43 1 ⁄8
5 3 1 7 1 7 3 27 5 13 5 1 3
1 ⁄8 8.93 8.87 6.75 10.55 4 ⁄8 2 ⁄2 6 ⁄8 1 ⁄8 2 ⁄8 3 ⁄8 5 ⁄32 1 ⁄8 ⁄32 4 ⁄16 3 ⁄4 1 ⁄16
3 11 3 3 1 1 5 1 3 7 5 9 1
1 ⁄4 9.63 9.57 7.31 11.37 4 ⁄16 2 ⁄4 7 ⁄8 1 ⁄8 3 ⁄32 3 ⁄8 6 ⁄4 1 ⁄4 ⁄16 4 ⁄8 3 ⁄16 1 ⁄4
7 7 7 1 1 29 23 7 15 15 13 5
1 ⁄8 10.31 10.25 7.87 12.18 5 2 ⁄8 7 ⁄8 1 ⁄4 3 ⁄4 3 ⁄32 6 ⁄32 1 ⁄8 ⁄32 4 ⁄16 3 ⁄16 1 ⁄16
1 3 1 7 5 1 1 1 7 3
2 10.99 10.93 8.37 12.99 5 ⁄4 38 ⁄8
...